Operation Relentless Pursuit: $61 Million in Federal Funding to Combat Violent Crime

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and the Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance have awarded more than $61 million in grant funding to support the Attorney General's Operation Relentless Pursuit (ORP) initiative. This initiative aims to intensify federal law enforcement resources in seven American cities with violent crime levels several times the national average. The Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office will receive $2.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, to hire additional personnel and enhance their capabilities to combat violent crime.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $61 million in grant funding to support Operation Relentless Pursuit (ORP), an initiative to combat violent crime in seven American cities.
  • The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office will receive $1.4 million to hire 7 attorneys and contract with the 3rd Circuit Court to secure the services of a one-person grand juror.
  • The Detroit Police Department will receive $2.4 million to fund 15 new police officer positions.
  • The COPS Office through its COPS Hiring Program (CHP) has awarded a total of $51 million to hire 214 sworn law enforcement officers for state and local law enforcement task forces.
  • The Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is making $10 million available to support Operation Relentless Pursuit.
  • The funds will be used to support efforts such as the hiring of additional prosecutors, overtime expenses for task force members, multi-agency investigations, and the development of strategic plans to address gaps in combating violent crime.
  • The award is part of a larger effort to deploy collective resources wisely and effectively to combat violent crime and protect America's communities.

Statistics:

  • $61 million awarded in grant funding for Operation Relentless Pursuit
  • $51 million awarded through the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) to hire 214 sworn law enforcement officers
  • $10 million available through the Bureau of Justice Assistance to support Operation Relentless Pursuit
  • 7 attorneys to be hired by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
  • 15 new police officer positions to be funded by the Detroit Police Department
  • $1.4 million allocated to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office for attorney salaries and grand jury services
  • $2.4 million allocated to the Detroit Police Department for officer salaries and equipment
  • 214 sworn law enforcement officers to be hired for state and local law enforcement task forces

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Justice's U.S. Attorney's office for Eastern District of Michigan
  • Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office)
  • Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
  • Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
  • Detroit Police Department
  • COPS Hiring Program (CHP)
  • https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/chp/FY20_Relentless_Pursuit_Fact_Sheet.pdf