Justice Department Announces Nearly $700 Million for Grant Funding

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice announced nearly $700 million in grant funding opportunities for law enforcement agencies nationwide. The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) administers the grant funding.

The COPS Hiring Program will allocate up to $158 million to state, local, and tribal agencies for hiring career law enforcement officers. The Justice Department will also allocate up to $9 million for law enforcement mental health and wellness services and up to $10 million for active shooter response training. This program is expected to train at least 20,000 first responders.

The STOP School Violence Prevention Program will provide up to $73 million for school safety initiatives. Additionally, the Anti-Heroin Task Force Program will receive up to $34 million to target the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and illegal prescription opioids. The Anti-Methamphetamine Program will receive up to $13 million to combat methamphetamine production and trafficking.

Congress allocated $400 million for the COPS Technology and Equipment Program, which helps agencies acquire equipment, technology, and communications systems. State and local grant applicants must comply with federal law regarding the sharing of citizenship and immigration status information. Priority consideration for the grants will be given to jurisdictions that cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.