DLNews Law Enforcement:

The city of Desert Hot Springs has recently announced that it has received a grant of $107,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety. The grant will support the ongoing enforcement and education programs of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department. Specifically, the grant will allow the department to increase its efforts to make the roads safer for everyone by increasing DUI checkpoints and patrols, hosting community presentations on traffic safety issues, collaborating on enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies, and funding officer training and recertification.

Police Chief Jim Henson said that the grant will help officers focus on critical areas such as distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding, which are all leading causes of severe injuries and deaths in traffic collisions.

Henson became the department chief in May after then-Chief Dale Mondary was put on leave due to allegations of sending inappropriate texts to an off-the-books informant. Since taking over, Henson has had a positive experience overall and considers it a great test of his leadership abilities. "I'm looking forward to what the future holds," he added. Henson has served in the department for 28 years and has worked in various divisions, including patrol and detective.