Audit of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Technology and Equipment Program Grants Awarded to the City of Union City, Union City, New Jersey

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Date Issued

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Submitting OIG

Department of Justice OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Justice

Components

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Report Number

26-052

Report Type

Audit

Location

Union City, NJ
United States

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

$1,696,808

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

External Entity

City of Union City

Open Recommendations

This report has 8 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use	Additional Details
1	No	$0	$0	Accurate as of May 31, 2026
Work with Union City to help ensure the equipment purchased using 2022 grant funds has been operationalized as expected and determine if additional actions or technical assistance is needed and appropriate under the grant.
2	No	$0	$0	Accurate as of May 31, 2026
Work with Union City to ensure that Union City prepares and submits progress reports with complete information, including relevant qualitative data, to enable the COPS Office to provide meaningful oversight.
3	No	$0	$0	Accurate as of May 31, 2026
Require Union City to develop and implement controls to ensure grant expenditure records area accurate and complete.
4	No	$923,950	$0	Accurate as of May 31, 2026
Coordinate with Union City to remedy $923,950 in unsupported equipment purchases.
5	No	$772,858	$0	Accurate as of May 31, 2026
Coordinate with Union City to remedy the unsupported equipment costs of $772,858.
6	No	$0	$0	Accurate as of May 31, 2026
Require Union City to improve its procurement manual to (1) include steps to help ensure all grant related procurements comply with the Uniform Guidance and (2) ensure the retention of necessary and sufficient records to support that grant procurements are executed in accordance with the Uniform Guidance and state and local requirements
7	No	$0	$0	Accurate as of May 31, 2026
Require Union City to revise its procurement procedures to (1) document contractor debarment and suspension checks and (2) include and implement standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest as required by the Uniform Guidance.
8	No	$0	$0	Accurate as of May 31, 2026
Ensure Union City develops and implements a compliant property management system for grant-funded equipment and a policy to complete physical inspections at least once every 2 years to safeguard equipment as defined by the DOJ Grants Financial Guide.