To support the community policing efforts of tribal law enforcement agencies and the safety of their officers and communities, the COPS Office awards grant funding through many of its programs, including Community Policing Development (CPD), Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMWHA), COPS Hiring Program (CHP), School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP), Technology and Equipment Program (TEP), and the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS).

Since its inception, the COPS Office has awarded funds to hundreds of tribal law enforcement agencies to advance the development and testing of innovative strategies, build knowledge about effective crime prevention practices, and support the health and safety of their officers.

COPS Office Acting Director Robert Chapman said, “The COPS Office values our partnership with Tribal law enforcement and is pleased to announce these critical public safety grants. Law enforcement across the country is experiencing challenges, and those challenges are particularly compounded for Tribal law enforcement.” He added that these awards “will help with recruitment and retention of law enforcement positions and ensure those officers have the training and equipment needed to protect and serve their respective communities.”

This year, grants were awarded to 52 nations as well as to a university that is developing a comprehensive and interactive online course based on adult learning principles to replace the current PL 280 resource on the COPS Training Portal and developing curricula on tribal cultural awareness training to tribal and nontribal law enforcement processionals.

The 2022 Community Policing Development (CPD) Program Awards

Yurok Tribe (California): $350,000 to support crisis intervention teams (CIT).

The Yurok Tribe will ensure all sworn tribal police department personnel and associated tribal justice partners undergo 40 hours of CIT training, as well as embedding a mental and behavioral health clinician in the department. They will send sworn personnel to the national CIT conference and host a regional train-the-trainer event for other tribes and law enforcement agencies, who will also benefit from the publication of a report on the Yurok Tribe’s software-enhanced CIT program.

Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (Michigan): $139,685 to support accreditation efforts.

The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) has enrolled for the law enforcement accreditation via the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP). This multiyear accreditation process requires the NHBP to engage a consultant to complete policies that align with the standards of the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. In addition, NHBP will procure electronic evidence management system and policy software necessary to achieve accreditation by August 2024.

The 2022 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Awards

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma: $87,499 to support LEMHWA implementation.

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma LEMHWA Implementation project supports Project Apesvchi Ikana, which will provide targeted training to strengthen crisis response, self-care, suicide prevention, and general trauma response. In addition, the nation will host an annual conference to encourage collaboration and build relationships. Crisis intervention training and other modules will be offered through the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) during and in addition to the conference.

The 2022 School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) Awards

Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin: $255,287 to improve school security.

The purpose of the COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) is to improve security at schools and on school grounds through school safety programs and technology. Funding under this award program will be used by the school jurisdiction to implement evidence-based programs to improve school security and promote a positive learning environment for all students.

The 2022 Technology and Equipment Program (TEP) Awards

Oneida Nation (Wisconsin): $622,000 for equipment, technologies, and interoperable communications that assist in responding to and preventing crime.

The objective of the TEP award is to provide funding for projects that improve police effectiveness and the flow of information among law enforcement agencies, local government service providers, and the communities they serve.

The 2022 COPS Hiring Program (CHP)

This year, two tribes received CHP funding, enabling them to reduce crime and advance public safety by hiring or rehiring additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.

Osage Nation (Oklahoma): $250,000 to hire two officers.

Seneca Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma: $124,992 to hire one officer.

The 2022 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Awards

Purpose Area #1: Tribal Resources Grant Program (TRGP)

TRGP supports the implementation of community policing and meets the most serious needs of tribal law enforcement: hiring or re-hiring career law enforcement officers and Village Public Safety Officers and procuring equipment and training to implement or enhance community policing efforts.

This year, 47 tribes received a total of $27,721,343 in TRGP funding: $10,682,088 for hiring and $17,039,255 for equipment and training.

The COPS Office also awarded $500,000 to Fox Valley Technical College under TRGP-TA and CPD Tolerance for a PL 280 training program for enhanced collaborative law enforcement updates and for tribal cultural awareness training.

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