Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $100 million state investment in law enforcement technology and equipment in New York.
Of the total, $75 million will be available to police departments and sheriff's offices through the LETECH program, while another $25 million will fund a new state records management system to replace a decades-old platform.
What agencies will be able to purchase
The LETECH program, administered by the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), will fund equipment and technologies such as acoustic gunshot detection systems, drones, counter-drone systems, 3D laser scanners for crime scenes, trauma kits, automated external defibrillators, body cameras, vests, lighting, transit equipment, records systems, and equipment for patrol vehicles and officers.
Agencies will also be able to acquire technology for 911 centers, emergency operations, parking and code enforcement, and community communication platforms. According to the state, the purpose is to help prevent crime, solve cases, protect officers, and improve community safety.
The new investment adds to $127 million previously awarded to 378 agencies from western New York to Long Island. With this announcement, Hochul aims to sustain a record level of public safety funding within the state's fiscal year 2027 budget.
Who can apply for funds and until when
Approximately 500 agencies outside New York City will be able to apply for LETECH grants. The list includes police departments from towns, villages, cities, tribal agencies, and county sheriff's offices.
DCJS established a tiered funding system, with maximum amounts based on the number of full-time equivalent sworn police personnel. Grants can range from $100,000 for agencies with 10 or fewer officers to $6 million for agencies with more than 1,001 officers.
The new state records management system was requested by police chiefs, sheriffs, and district attorneys. It will be available to agencies statewide, including more than 150 small and rural departments that lacked the resources to modernize their systems.
The funding application requires compliance with the provisions of the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act. Additionally, the state clarified that some items will not be eligible for purchase, such as vehicles, firearms, and conducted energy devices (such as Taser guns). The deadline to apply will be September 2, 2026, and contracts will run from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028.
New York seeks to close a technological gap between large and small agencies. The investment aims not only to purchase equipment and technology, but also to enable police, sheriffs, and prosecutors to better share information, reduce delays, and work with more suitable tools to address current threats.
