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By Police1 Staff
The Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has awarded over $600 million in grants to law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders across the U.S., the agency announced in a news release.
The funding aims to support efforts such as hiring new officers, improving school safety, bolstering law enforcement mental health services, and combating drug distribution and trafficking, the DOJ said.
“Over the past 30 years, the COPS Office has shown the importance of community-oriented policing,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This year alone, we are providing funding for 235 departments to hire nearly 1,200 officers, continuing our commitment to building safer communities.”
Some key funding allocations include:
- $157 million for the COPS Hiring Program, supporting the addition of 1,200 officers across 235 agencies.
- $73 million for school safety measures through the School Violence Prevention Program.
- $46 million to tackle opioid and methamphetamine distribution through the Anti-Heroin Task Force and Anti-Methamphetamine Program.
- $31 million to support Tribal law enforcement through the Tribal Resources Grant Program.
- $9 million to improve access to mental health services for law enforcement staff under the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA).
- $10.5 million for the Preparing for Active Shooter Situations (PASS) program, providing scenario-based training for first responders.
- Nearly $14 million for Community Policing Development microgrants and law enforcement resources.
- Over $4 million to support crisis intervention teams, including embedding mental health professionals with law enforcement.
- $6.5 million for law enforcement accreditation programs through independent credentialing bodies.
The COPS Office continues to be a vital resource for law enforcement, providing over $20 billion in funding to more than 13,000 agencies since its establishment in 1994, according to the DOJ. These efforts aim to reduce crime while fostering trust between police and the communities they serve.