County Gives Go-Ahead on COPS Grant For West County

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The St. Francois County Commission has given its approval for the county to apply for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant on behalf of West County R-IV schools.

If given, the grant would allow for West County to employ another School Resource Officer. St. Francois County Clerk Kevin Engler explains why the grant has to go through the county, instead of through the West County school district itself.

The grant is offered through the Department of Justice. As part of the deal, a Memoradum of Understanding outlining roles and responsibilities of the SRO will be signed, between West County schools, the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department, and the county commission.