Federal Support for Law Enforcement: Selected Department of Justice Programs

February 5, 2021 – January 10, 2024 R46671

Federal Support for Law Enforcement:
January 10, 2024
Selected Department of Justice Programs
Karma Ester
Congress has authorized a range of grant programs that support state, local, and tribal law
Senior Research Librarian
enforcement. This report provides information on selected Department of Justice grants

administered by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office of Community Oriented
Policing Services (COPS). Selected grant programs target police hiring, equipment procurement,

officer safety and wellness, drug task forces, hate crimes prevention and investigations,
community policing, school violence, and crisis intervention.

Congressional Research Service

Federal Support for Law Enforcement: Selected Department of Justice Programs

Congressional Research Service

Federal Support for Law Enforcement: Selected Department of Justice Programs

Introduction
Historically, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has provided financial assistance to state, local, and
tribal law enforcement agencies to assist them with addressing crime, purchasing equipment,
providing training, and supporting community policing efforts. The major offices within DOJ that
administer grants are the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), the Office of Community Oriented
Policing Services (COPS), and the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW).1 This report
focuses on grants administered by OJP and COPS that provide direct assistance to law
enforcement agencies, but are not limited to this purpose. These include grants that support police
hiring, equipment procurement, officer safety and wellness, drug task forces, community
policing, hate crime prevention and investigation, school violent crime response, and crisis
intervention. Law enforcement agencies must be accredited or in the process of becoming
accredited to be eligible for grants.
The DOJ grant cycle is ongoing with the majority of funding solicitations being announced from
March through June each year.
This report includes brief descriptions of each grant program, summary information on eligibility,
purpose areas, matching requirements, links to program information, grant program solicitations,
and related CRS reports.
Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is a federal agency that provides grants, training, technical
assistance, and other resources targeting crime reduction, victim assistance, and strengthening the
juvenile and criminal justice systems.2 Areas of focus for FY2023 funding include reentry
projects; addressing contraband cellphones in correctional facilities; purchasing fentanyl and
methamphetamine detection equipment; purchases of canines; virtual reality de-escalation
training; gunfire detection equipment; purchasing of humane remote restraint devices; gunfire
detection technology; and diversifying law enforcement personnel.
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
JAG formula grants can be used to support a range of activities in nine program areas. These
areas include the following:
1. Law enforcement programs
2. Prosecution and court programs
3. Mental health programs
4. Crime prevention and education
5. Drug enforcement and treatment
6. Crime victim and witness programs
7. Corrections and community corrections

1 The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) includes the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Bureau of Justice Statistics
(BJS), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Office for
Victims of Crime (OVC), and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and
Tracking (SMART).
2 See Department of Justice (DOJ), OJP, “About Us,” accessed April 3, 2023, at https://www.ojp.gov/about. Grants that
are focused on the juvenile justice system are outside the scope of this report.
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Federal Support for Law Enforcement: Selected Department of Justice Programs

8. Planning, evaluation and technology improvements
9. Implementation of state crisis intervention courts and related programs or
initiatives
Eligibility: States, including the District of Columbia and U.S. territories are eligible. Local units
of government and federally recognized tribal governments that perform law enforcement
functions may be eligible to receive an allocation based on the jurisdiction’s proportion of the
average number of violent crimes reported in the state for the past three years for which data are
available.3
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/jag/overview
• FY2023 State Formula Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171793
• FY2023 Local Formula Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171790
• CRS In Focus IF10691, The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance
Grant (JAG) Program
Project Safe Neighborhoods
This formula grant program is intended to protect communities from crime and evolving threats
by identifying the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and developing solutions
to address them. Goals include reducing violent crime, fostering community trust in law
enforcement, and using data on violent crime to intervene, prevent, and improve outcomes.
Eligibility: Collaborative teams established by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices (USAO) to implement
strategies to address pressing violent crime problems in the USAO’s district. These teams include
federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and community organizations and
representatives.
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn/overview
• FY2023 Project Safe Neighborhoods Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171572
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program
This competitive grant supports state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors and their
partners in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes. Funds also support outreach, education, and
enhancing victim reporting tools.

3 Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Allocations for local jurisdictions that are
eligible for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) are listed on the OJP website. See BJA, JAG
Program, “FY 2023 Allocations” at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/jag/fy-2023-allocations.
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Eligibility: State, territorial, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies.
Matching Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/shepard-byrd-hate-crimes-program/overview
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171642
Collaborative Crisis Response and Intervention Training Program
This competitive grant seeks to implement transdisciplinary crisis response training to educate
and prepare law enforcement and correctional officers to appropriately interact with people who
have behavioral health conditions or disabilities. Funds may be used to plan, develop, and deploy
training programs for officers in responding to crisis events in the community.
Eligibility: States, territories, cities, counties, townships, federally recognized Native American
tribal governments, and campus police departments for public universities.
Matching Requirements: None.
Additional Information:
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171627
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Site-based
Program Abuse Program (COSSUP)
This competitive grant program is intended to support state, local, and tribal efforts to reduce the
adverse effects of opioids, stimulants, and other drugs on communities. Allowable uses have
included law enforcement and first responder diversion programs, naloxone for first responders,
medication-assisted treatment, and embedding social service workers with law enforcement.
Additional uses include transitional or recovery housing and support services, and embedding
peers with similar experiences to assist in connecting justice involved individuals and their
families with resources.
Eligibility: State, territorial, county, local governments, or federally recognized tribal
governments.
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/cossap/overview
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171527
• COSSAP Resource Center
https://www.cossup.org/
• CRS Report R44987, The Opioid Epidemic and Federal Efforts to Address It:
Frequently Asked Questions.
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Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration
Initiative (CGIC)
This competitive grant program is administered in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and provides funding to areas experiencing precipitous
increases in gun-related violent crime. Priority is given to jurisdictions with high volumes of
nonfatal shootings and firearms-related homicides.
Eligibility: State, local and tribal law enforcement; other governmental agencies; governmental
non-law enforcement agencies, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/cgic-initiative/overview
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171486
• ATF CGIC Fact Sheet
https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/fact-sheet/fact-sheet-crime-gun-
intelligence-centers-cgic
• Crime Gun Intelligence Centers
https://crimegunintelcenters.org/cgic-concept/
Kevin and Avonte Program: Reducing Injury and Death of Missing
Individuals with Dementia and Developmental Disabilities
This competitive grant program supports local jurisdictions’ efforts to reduce the number of
deaths and injuries of individuals with forms of dementia or developmental disabilities who, due
to their condition, wander from safe environments.
Eligibility: Health care agencies; state, local, and tribal law enforcement; public safety agencies;
and nonprofit organizations.
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171512
Preventing School Violence: BJA’s STOP School Violence Program
This competitive grant program supports training for schools, students, and law enforcement to
recognize, respond quickly, and help prevent acts of violence. Funds may also be used to develop
anonymous reporting systems, establish intervention teams, and train school personnel to respond
to mental health crises. For FY2023, some additional uses include active shooter training, trauma-
informed care, bullying prevention, and diversion programs. Funds can also be used for additional
specialized school personnel. No funds can be used to hire school resource officers (SROs).
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Eligibility: States; units of local government; federally recognized Indian tribes; law enforcement
agencies; nonprofit entities; independent school districts; and private and public institutions of
higher education.
Match Requirement: none
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/stop-school-violence-program/overview
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171666
• CRS In Focus IF10836, Department of Justice Support for School Safety
Initiatives
Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to
Support Law Enforcement Agencies
This competitive grant program funds the purchase of body-worn cameras (BWCs) and the
establishing, updating, and expanding of BWC programs.
Eligibility: State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies; correctional agencies that perform
law enforcement functions (e.g., sheriff’s departments); prosecutors’ offices; and state or regional
consortia that support such agencies, including state administrating agencies.4
Match Requirement: Funds require a 50% cash or in-kind match. Funding is capped at $2,000
per BWC.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/body-worn-camera-policy-and-implementation-
program-support-law-enforcement-agencies/overview
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171562
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP)
This competitive grant program supports collaboration across criminal justice and mental health
systems to improve public safety responses to individuals with mental illness or co-occurring
mental illness and substance abuse. Program areas have focused on embedding social workers or
mental health workers with law enforcement, supporting mental health centers, and using mental
health courts. BJA gives priority to rural communities and programs focusing on justice-involved
females with mental health disorders, mental health courts, reentry services, and interventions to
reduce recidivism.
Eligibility: States, units of local government, and federally recognized tribal governments, mental
health agencies and public institutions of higher education. BJA will accept only applications that

4 State administering agencies (SSAs) are responsible for administering formula grant funds awarded directly to state
governments. For a list of SSAs, see State Administering Agencies at https://www.ojp.gov/funding/state-administering-
agencies/overview.
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demonstrate the proposed program will be administered jointly by an agency with responsibility
for criminal or juvenile justice activities and a mental health agency.
Match Requirement: Funds require a 20% match of the total cost of the project for the first two
years and 40% match for the third project year. Recipients may satisfy this match requirement
with either cash or in-kind services.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/justice-and-mental-health-collaboration-
program-jmhcp/overview
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171522
Connect and Protect: Law Enforcement Behavioral Health
Response Program
This competitive grant helps entities prepare, create or expand programs to assist collaborative
law enforcement-behavioral health responses to people with mental disorders and co-occurring
mental and substance use disorders who come into contact with law enforcement. Priority is
given to rural areas and projects designed to promote racial equity in the justice system, reduce
recidivism, and identify and treat females with either disorder that have been incarcerated.
Eligibility: State, city, township, or county governments, federally recognized tribal
governments, mental health agencies, and public institutions of higher education
Match Requirement: 20% cash and/or in-kind match for the first two years and 40% match in
year three.
Additional Information:
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171520
National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)
This competitive program is intended to help law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices
address challenges associated with sexual assault kits that have not been submitted to a crime lab
for testing.
Eligibility: State and local law enforcement agencies, federally recognized tribal governments,
prosecutor’s offices, units of local government, and consortia of small law enforcement agencies.5
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/saki/overview

5 For the purposes of this solicitation, “small law enforcement agencies” are defined as agencies that have fewer than
250 sworn officers or a consortium of small agencies.
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• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171565
Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program
This competitive grant program provides funding to prosecutors’ offices, and state, local, and
tribal law enforcement to assist in the investigation and prosecution of cold case murders
associated with civil rights violations and racially motivated murders committed prior to 1979.
Eligibility: State, territorial, local and federally recognized tribal law enforcement agencies and
prosecutors’ offices.
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/emmett-till-cold-case-investigations-and-
prosecution-program/overview
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171639
Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP)
The purpose of the BVP program is to reimburse law enforcement agencies for the purchase of
bulletproof vests. The program reimburses departments for up to 50% of purchase costs.
Eligibility: State, territorial, local, and federally recognized tribal law enforcement agencies.
Match Requirement: 50% match.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/patrick-leahy-bvp-program/overview
• Fact Sheet
https://bja.ojp.gov/doc/bvp-fact-sheet.pdf
Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative6
This competitive grant program provides funding to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’
offices to implement violent crime reduction strategies, improve investigations and services to
victims, and enhance collaboration between local stakeholders. Funds may also be used for
salaries, overtime, and equipment.
Eligibility: State, and local law enforcement agencies serving rural communities, rural
prosecutor’s offices and all federally recognized tribal law enforcement agencies.
Match Requirement: None.

6 According to the FY2023 solicitation, “To qualify as rural for this solicitation, an applicant must provide services in a
rural area, but the jurisdiction’s service area need not be exclusively rural. While the agency does not solely need to
serve a rural area, the violent crime problem addressed must have a rural focus that allows for trackable impact. For any
municipality (e.g., town, village, or borough), the area must be considered rural, and the population must not exceed
15,000. The population should be based on the latest U.S. Census enumeration.”
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Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://ruralvcri.org/
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://ruralvcri.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RVCRI-Grant-Application-
Solicitation_FINAL-3.pdf
Virtual Reality De-escalation Site-Based Initiative
This competitive program provides funding for law enforcement agencies to enhance training to
respond to individuals in crisis, and improve officers’ de-escalation skills using virtual reality
technology.
Eligibility: State and local law enforcement agencies, federally recognized tribal governments,
and state and public-controlled institutions of higher education.
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171767
Rural and Small Department Violent Crime Reduction Program7
This competitive program supports small and rural agencies in combatting violent crime.
Eligibility: Small, rural, and tribal law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171729
Smart Policing Initiative Program
This competitive grant assists state, local, and tribal jurisdictions in reducing crime and
improving criminal justice systems using evidence-based policing practices, information sharing,
and multi-agency collaboration. Funds for crime reduction can be used for new personnel,
overtime, technology purchases, and data analysis support.
Eligibility: State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies; tribal governments performing law
enforcement functions; and government non-law enforcement agencies acting as fiscal agents for
law enforcement agencies.
Match Requirement: None.

7 According to the FY2023 solicitation, “a small agency is any law enforcement agency with 250 or fewer sworn
officers…. A ural agency,’ as defined under this initiative, is (a) an agency serving any area or community, no part of
which is within an area designated as a standard metropolitan statistical area by the Office of Management and Budget
or (b) any agency serving one or more rural census tracts.”
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Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/smart-policing-initiative-spi/overview
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2023-171650
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) provides information and
grant resources to advance the practice of community policing by the nation’s state, local,
territorial and tribal law enforcement agencies.8 Grants awarded by the COPS Office are used to
hire community policing professionals, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and
provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and
all levels of law enforcement.9
COPS Hiring Program (CHP)
This competitive grant program supports hiring new officers, rehiring officers who have been laid
off, or retaining officers who are scheduled to be laid off due to budget reductions. The program
covers 75% of approved salaries and benefits, not to exceed $125,000 for each awarded position
during the three-year grant period. According to the COPS Office, past priority was given to
applications focused on violent crime, homeland security, or school-based policing. For FY2023,
the COPS Office asked grantees to focus on combating hate and domestic extremism, violent and
gun crime, building legitimacy and trust, innovations in community policing, or police-based
responses to people in crisis.
Eligibility: State, local, territorial, and federally recognized tribal law enforcement agencies.
Match Requirement: Funds require a 25% local cash match.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/chp/solicitation.pdf
• Fact Sheet
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/chp/
Pre_Award_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program
This competitive grant program provides funds to support investigations of illicit activities related
to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, the unlawful distribution of prescription
opioids, and opioid trafficking. Funds may be used to pay for personnel and equipment directly
related to investigations.

8 For further information on COPS, see CRS Report RL33308, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): In
Brief and CRS In Focus IF10922, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program.
9 See DOJ, COPS, “About the COPS Office, accessed September 20, 2023, at https://cops.usdoj.gov/aboutcops.
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Eligibility: State law enforcement agencies with multijurisdictional reach and task forces with
primary authority over state seizures of heroin and other opioids.10
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://cops.usdoj.gov/ahtf
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/ahtf/solicitation.pdf
• Pre-Award Fact Sheet https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/ahtf/
Pre_Award_Fact_Sheet.pdf
• Pre-Award AHTF Frequently Asked Questions
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/ahtf/faq.pdf
COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP)
This competitive grant program provides funds to support investigations of illegal activities
related to methamphetamine. Funds may be used to pay for personnel and equipment directly
related to investigations.
Eligibility: State law enforcement agencies authorized to engage in or supervise anti-
methamphetamine investigative activities.
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://cops.usdoj.gov/camp
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/camp/solicitation.pdf
• Pre-Award Fact Sheet
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/camp/
Pre_Award_Fact_Sheet.pdf
• Pre-Award Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/camp/faq.pdf
Community Policing Development
Community Policing Development (CPD) funds are used to develop the capacity of law
enforcement to implement community policing strategies. FY2023 competitive programs for law

10 Primary law enforcement authority is defined as “the first responder to calls for service for all types of criminal
incidents within its jurisdiction. Agencies are not considered to have primary law enforcement authority if they only
respond to or investigate specific type(s) of crime(s); respond to or investigate crimes within a correctional institution;
serve warrants; provide courthouse security; transport prisoners; and/or have cases referred to them for investigation or
investigational support.” See DOJ, COPS, 2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program Application Guide,
March 2020, p. 88, at https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/ahtf/App_Guide.pdf.
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enforcement focus on crisis intervention, de-escalation training and law enforcement
accreditation. Only CPD grants available to law enforcement are described in this section.11
Eligibility: State, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies.
Match Requirement: None.
Implementing Crisis Intervention Teams
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/cpd_cit/solicitation.pdf
• Pre-Award Fact Sheet
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/cpd_cit/
Pre_Award_Fact_Sheet.pdf
• Pre-Award Frequently Asked Questions
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/cpd_cit/faq.pdf
De-Escalation Training
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/cpd_de_escalation/
lea_solicitation.pdf
• Pre-Award Fact Sheet
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/cpd_de_escalation/
Pre_Award_Fact_Sheet.pdf
• Pre-Award Frequently Asked Questions
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/cpd_de_escalation/faqs.pdf
Accreditation
• FY2023 Supporting Law Enforcement Agencies in Seeking Accreditation -
Community Solicitation
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/cpd_accreditation/
lea_solicitation.pdf
• Pre-Award Fact Sheet
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/cpd_accreditation/
Pre_Award_Fact_Sheet.pdf
• Pre-Award Frequently Asked Questions
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/cpd_accreditation/faqs.pdf
Community Policing Development Microgrants Program
This competitive grant program helps develop the capacity of law enforcement to implement
community policing strategies. FY2023 funding focuses on programs targeting community-based
violence intervention, officer recruitment and retention and workplace diversity, hate crimes and
domestic extremism, underserved populations, and building trust and legitimacy with the
community.
Eligibility: State, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies.

11 Grants open to non-law enforcement agencies include Tolerance, Diversity, and Anti-Bias Training, Emerging Issues
Forums, and Innovations in Recruitment and Hiring. For further information, see https://cops.usdoj.gov/grants.
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Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://cops.usdoj.gov/cpdmicrogrants
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/cpdmicrogrants/solicitation.pdf
• Pre-Award Fact Sheet
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/cpdmicrogrants/
Pre_Award_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA)
Implementation Projects
This competitive grant program funds efforts to improve the delivery of and access to mental
health and wellness services for law enforcement. Areas of focus have included the
implementation of peer support programs, access to mental health and wellness services, suicide
prevention, stress reduction, and support programs for officers and their families.
Eligibility: State, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Match Requirement: None.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://cops.usdoj.gov/lemhwa
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/lemhwa/
Implementation_Projects_Solicitation.pdf
• Pre-Award Fact Sheet
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/lemhwa/
Pre_Award_Fact_Sheet.pdf
• Frequently Asked Questions
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/lemhwa/FAQs.pdf
• CRS Report R46555, Federal Efforts to Address the Mental Health of First
Responders: Resources and Issues for Congress
School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP)
This competitive grant program provides funding to improve security at schools and on school
grounds. Funds may be used for security improvements, such as metal detectors, lighting, locks,
and other deterrent measures; training for law enforcement officers to prevent student violence;
and technology for expedited notification of law enforcement. Funds may also be used to hire
civilian or non-sworn personnel. These funds may not be used to hire school resource officers.
Eligibility: Law enforcement agencies, state and local governments, and federally recognized
Indian tribes, school districts, and school boards.
Match Requirement: 25% match.
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Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://cops.usdoj.gov/svpp
• FY2023 Solicitation
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/svpp/solicitation.pdf
• Fact Sheet
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/svpp/
Pre_Award_Fact_Sheet.pdf
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2023ProgramDocs/svpp/faqs.pdf
• CRS Report R46872, Federal Support for School Safety and Security,
Federal Support for School Safety and Security
Other Department of Justice Resources, Programs
and Initiatives for Law Enforcement
In addition to providing grants to assist law enforcement, DOJ provides community resources,
initiatives, and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies.12 The following are selected
programs addressing community relations, mass violence community response, and antiterrorism
training for law enforcement agencies.
BJA National Training Technical Assistance (BJA NTTAC)
BJA NTTAC provides no-cost training and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies,
prosecutors’ offices, corrections departments, and city or county commissioners on a wide variety
of criminal justice issues. Training can be provided in person or virtually.
Additional Information:
• BJA NTTAC website
https://bjatta.bja.ojp.gov
Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-
TAC)
The Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) program provides
no cost resources and technical assistance to state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement
agencies on a wide variety of topics (e.g., active shooter response, crisis intervention, violent
crime reduction, de-escalation, and community violence prevention).
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://cops.usdoj.gov/collaborativereform

12 For a complete list of DOJ Training and Technical Assistance programs, see https://bjatta.bja.ojp.gov/.
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Federal Support for Law Enforcement: Selected Department of Justice Programs

Community Relations Service
The Community Relations Service provides training, consultation, mediation, and other support
to law enforcement agencies to improve community relations, conflict resolution, and cultural
awareness.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://www.justice.gov/crs/
• Programs for Law Enforcement
https://www.justice.gov/crs/our-stakeholders/law-enforcement
• Fact Sheet
https://www.justice.gov/file/1376521/download
• Programs and Services
https://www.justice.gov/file/1376576/download
Mass Violence Advisory Initiative
This partnership between the Office of Justice Programs and the International Association of
Chiefs of Police offers peer-to-peer counseling to law enforcement leaders whose communities
have experienced a mass violence incident. This initiative, provides virtual and in-person
assistance to law enforcement leaders, including incident management, public information
strategies, and other support, free of charge.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://www.theiacp.org/projects/mass-violence-advisory-initiative
• Frequently Asked Questions
https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/MVAI/
MVAI%20FAQs.pdf
State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training (SLATT) Program Training
and Technical Assistance (TTA)
This program offers free training addressing terrorism prevention, targeted violence, and hate
crimes to state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors and others. Training is available on-
site, virtually, or in an e-learning format. Access to this site is limited to registered law
enforcement agencies.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/state-and-local-anti-terrorism-training-program/
overview
Valor Officer Safety and Wellness Initiative
This competitive program awards grants to entities that promote officer safety through specialized
training and other activities, including, officer safety and wellness initiatives, crisis intervention
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Federal Support for Law Enforcement: Selected Department of Justice Programs

and resolution training, active shooter training, officer suicide prevention, and researching law
enforcement injuries and fatalities.
Additional Information:
• Program Overview
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/valor/overview
Support for Grantees and Applicants
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has several resources designed to provide assistance to
grant seekers. The following resources address frequently asked questions regarding grants and
the application process.
• List of Programs provides a full list of OJP grant programs.
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/list
• OJP Funding Resource Center provides information on funding
opportunities and an overview of the OJP grant process.
https://www.ojp.gov/funding
• OJP Grant Application Resource Guide provides assistance to applicants
in preparing and submitting applications.
https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide
• OJP Opportunities and Awards site provides a list of currently open OJP
grant opportunities, links to open solicitations and past grant solicitations.
https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
• Office of Justice Programs Grants 101 provides information on grants, the
grant cycle, and assistance throughout the application process.
https://www.ojp.gov/funding/grants101/overview-ojp-grants-and-funding

Author Information

Karma Ester

Senior Research Librarian

Congressional Research Service

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Federal Support for Law Enforcement: Selected Department of Justice Programs

Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in
its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or
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copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.

Congressional Research Service
R46671 · VERSION 6 · UPDATED
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