Justice Department Announces $300 Million in Grant Solicitations to Advance Community Policing and Keep Students Safe

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has announced the release of approximately $300 million in grant solicitations to support law enforcement agencies in advancing community policing, keeping students safe, and addressing the recruitment and retention crisis in the law enforcement profession. The grant solicitations include funding for the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) and the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP).

Key Takeaways:

  • The COPS Office has announced the release of approximately $300 million in grant solicitations to support law enforcement agencies in advancing community policing, keeping students safe, and addressing the recruitment and retention crisis.
  • The grant solicitations include funding for the COPS Hiring Program (CHP), which provides direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers, with a priority on applications from jurisdictions that support Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs.
  • The CHP program will provide $224.5 million in funding, with a focus on hiring officers who will engage with community stakeholders and help agencies mirror the racial diversity of the communities they serve.
  • The School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) will provide $73 million in funding to improve security at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based school safety programs.
  • All local, state, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies with primary law enforcement authority are eligible to apply for the grant funding.
  • The grant funding must be used for the benefit of K-12, primary, and secondary schools, and students.
  • The Department of Justice is committed to supporting community violence intervention programs and law enforcement agencies that partner with them to keep children safe in their schools and address the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.

Statistics:

  • Approximately $300 million in grant solicitations have been announced by the COPS Office to support law enforcement agencies.
  • $224.5 million will be available for the COPS Hiring Program (CHP).
  • $73 million will be available for the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP).
  • The COPS Hiring Program will prioritize applications from jurisdictions that support Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs.

Sources:

  • United States Attorneys General
  • COPS Office (https://cops.usdoj.gov)