The Department of Justice has awarded $18 million in Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants to tribes across the nation.

The grants were awarded under the COPS Tribal Resources Grant Program. The money will be used by 80 tribal law enforcement agencies to hire 73 officers and purchase equipment.

"Through these grants, we seek to increase the resources available to Native American law enforcement agencies as they rely on community policing strategies to reduce crime," said COPS Director Carl Peed. "The funds we�re announcing today will help tribal police departments keep pace with the increasing demands being made on them to address issues ranging from traditional crime and disorder to homeland security and border protection."

The 109 grantees included two tribes in Alaska, six tribes in California, two tribes in Maine, three tribes in Montana, five tribes in New Mexico, seven tribes in Oklahoma and twelve tribes in Washington. A total of $18,091,379 was awarded.

According to DOJ, tribes have received more than $192.3 million since 1999 under the Tribal Resources Grant Program.

Get the Story:
Nisqually, Squaxin tribes get law enforcement grants (The Olympian 8/30)

Relevant Documents:
Funding List: Tribal Resources Grant Program (August 2005)

Relevant Links:
COPS, Department of Justice - http://www.cops.usdoj.gov

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