The cape coral police department proposes to implement the cape coral PD forensic science improvement program, with the overall goal of improving the timeliness of forensic science services by…

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded the City of Cape Coral Police Department $500,000 on May 1, 2026, under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program (CFDA 16.742) to establish a latent print unit and improve forensic science services. The Cape Coral Police Department will use the funding to hire forensic laboratory personnel and latent print examiners, eliminate the backlog of forensic evidence analysis, improve the quality and timeliness of analyzing latent fingerprints and other forensic evidence, and address challenges posed by opioids and synthetic drugs. The department aims to serve as a model agency in Florida for forensic accreditation and maintain the reliability and scientific validity of evidence used in criminal matters and court testimony. Work is performed in Cape Coral, Florida, with a period of performance from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2029. The Cape Coral Police Department, accredited in friction ridge and scene investigation disciplines, will coordinate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations to benefit multiple jurisdictions through improved forensic science capabilities.

The cape coral police department proposes to implement the cape coral PD forensic science improvement program, with the overall goal of improving the timeliness of forensic science services by establishing a latent print unit. Project objectives include improving the quality and timeliness of analyzing forensic evidence, specifically latents; hiring forensic laboratory personnel, latent print examiners; eliminating the backlog of forensic science evidence analysis; addressing the challenges posed by opioids and synthetic drugs; and being a model agency in florida for forensic accreditation and improving forensic science services. The cape coral PD is seeking priority consideration for the forensic science services unit (forensic unit), which directly supports law enforcement operations through crime scene response, evidence collection, analysis, and processing, aligning with the office of justice programs priorities. The department is a dedicated leader for forensic accreditation and improving the quality and timeliness of forensic science. The forensic unit is accredited in the field of forensic science inspection disciplines of friction ridge and scene investigations. The department will ensure that reliable, scientifically valid evidence is used when examining, analyzing, and interpreting evidence in criminal matters, as well as when providing reports and testimony to courts of law regarding such evidence. The department has a great working relationship with all levels of the justice system, including homeland security investigations. The department is confident in the project's feasibility due to partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Having the necessary personnel to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science will benefit not only the cape coral police department but also local, state, and federal agencies. The city of cape coral, with over 243,800 residents, is the second-largest city in florida by land area, spanning 120 square miles and featuring more than 400 miles of canals. IT is the most populated city in southwest florida and the 8TH most populous city in florida.