Deputy Sheriff Salary Supplementation Fund

The Deputy Sheriff Salary Supplementation Fund (DSSSF) is a state-level grant program administered through the Missouri Department of Public Safety, acting on behalf of the Missouri Sheriff Methamphetamine Relief Taskforce (MoSMART). Established under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 57.278, the fund is financed by fees collected for certain judicial services carried out by sheriffs, pursuant to Section 57.280. The state treasurer holds these monies, which are explicitly designated as state funds. The purpose of the DSSSF is to provide financial support directly aimed at increasing the salaries and corresponding benefits of full-time county deputy sheriffs across Missouri, helping retain and support law enforcement personnel in counties across the state. Only Missouri-based entities are eligible for this funding, specifically county sheriff's offices and county police departments where officers perform the same duties and possess the same authority as the county sheriff. This funding stream is intended to supplement—not supplant—existing salary structures, and all awarded funds must be used in alignment with clearly defined rules. Deputies earning below $28,600 annually receive a fixed supplement of $6,400. Those earning between $28,601 and $33,000 will have their salaries increased to a base of $35,000. Deputies earning between $33,001 and $64,999 receive a $2,000 supplement. Any deputy with a salary of $65,000 or more is not eligible to receive DSSSF support. Additionally, funds can be applied toward FICA/Medicare, pension contributions, and workers' compensation, but not toward benefits like insurance or unemployment compensation, whose costs are not affected by salary increases. To qualify for funding, agencies must be compliant with several Missouri statutes. These include submitting the annual Vehicle Stops Report under Section 590.650; adopting written policies for recording custodial interrogations (Section 590.700), forwarding intoxication-related offenses (Section 43.544), and reporting use-of-force incidents (Section 590.1265). They must also participate in the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) per Section 43.505 and be enrolled in the state and federal Rap Back programs under Section 590.030. Noncompliance in any of these areas disqualifies the agency from receiving funds. Certification of compliance must be included in the application. Applications are submitted exclusively through the Missouri DPS online WebGrants portal. Required materials include contact information, a complete list of deputies (and any vacant positions), and signed certified assurances. The application window for the SFY 2026 cycle opened on April 29, 2025, and closed on May 22, 2025, at 4:00 PM CST. All funds must be obligated by the end of the project period, which spans from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and fully expended by the close of the pay period following the state fiscal year end. Improperly obligated or unspent funds will be de-obligated and returned to the DSSSF account. For the upcoming 2026 cycle, the next round is expected to follow a similar schedule, with new applications likely opening in late April and closing in late May. Interested agencies should consult the Missouri DPS website for updated information and access to the required application forms and resources, such as the Certified Assurances, NOFO, and compliance and application workshop materials. Assistance is available via a dedicated grants team, including specialists like Amelia Jaegers, Elizabeth Leuckel, Maggie Glick, Becky Block, and Grants Program Manager Joni McCarter.