A good working relationship appears destined to get even better.

The Marshalltown Police Department and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office have partnered over the years on a variety of law enforcement initiatives from traffic enforcement to joint efforts combating narcotics and illegal substance sales through efforts with Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force.

Now the two law enforcement entities are eager to each receive $9,459 from the federally-funded Byrne Justice Assistance Grant.

Justice Assistance Grant legislation requires cities and counties to partner and share funds allocated – $18,918.

And over the years, the grant has provided significant benefits to both departments

From traffic safety equipment, to state-of-the-art Tasers to crime scene investigation tools, the program has helped both departments do their jobs safely and more efficiently.

Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper recommended to the city council at Monday’s meeting it accept the grant award and designate the city portion of these funds to be expended on the purchase of a live fire turning target system to be utilized at the MPD firearms range.

Tupper said he hopes the council will approve a resolution to move forward at the Aug. 26 meeting.

“This training system will enhance our officer training program and prepare officers for immediate and spontaneous lethal attacks,” Tupper said. “Additionally, this training system will prepare officers for multiple threats, train and prepare officers for attacks at short distances, improve fine and complex motor control, train in multiple officer scenarios, integrate drawing, firing and reloading under time pressure, no light or low light live fire as well as moving and shooting.

Additionally, Tupper requested the council authorize him to submit all necessary application documents to secure the grant. The chief also recommended the council authorize him to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to share these grant funds with Marshall County.

The Byrne grant requires a pubic hearing be held as part of the process.

Accordingly, it is scheduled for the Aug. 26 meeting.

Marshall County Sheriff Steve Hoffman said his department would use funds for patrol car lap-top computers and other enhanced hardware.

The program was named for the late Edward Byrne, a New York City police officer killed in the line of duty in 1988. Byrne was killed while trying to protect immigrants who were going to testify against drug dealers.

For more information, contact Tupper at 641-754-5725, or mtupper@marshalltown-ia.gov.

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Contact Mike Donahey at

641-753-6611 or

mdonahey@timesrepublicna.com