For Immediate Release—Thursday, August 30, 2001

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AWARDS $33.7 MILLION IN GRANTS TO NATIVE-AMERICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General John Ashcroft and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) today announced grants totaling $33.7 million that were awarded to 105 tribal police departments in 23 states. The grants were awarded through COPS' Tribal Resources Grant Program (TRGP), which was established to support the most critical needs of law enforcement agencies that serve sovereign Native American communities.

In an effort to enhance the law enforcement infrastructures and community policing practices in Native American communities, TRGP provides funding to assist tribal police departments with hiring officers, training, equipment, and technology. Since 1999, COPS has provided more than $62.4 million to Native-American law enforcement agencies through TRGP.

"This very important program is successfully assisting the specific needs of tribal law enforcement agencies in the United States," said Attorney General John Ashcroft. "The funds we're announcing today will help these agencies keep pace with the demands made on law enforcement."

The TRGP is part of a broader federal initiative to bolster the capacity of tribal law enforcement agencies. All federally recognized tribes with established police departments are eligible to receive TRGP funding. For additional information about COPS' programs, visit the COPS website at http://www.cops.usdoj.gov, or contact the U. S. Department of Justice Response Center at 1-800-421-6770.