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 Deputy 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 totaling $34,443,863 were awarded to 59 nations.

The 2023 Community Policing Development (CPD) Program Awards

Hoopa Valley Tribe (California). $397,900 to support the development of a crisis intervention team (CIT) and follow-up case management in a rural jurisdiction more than an hour from hospitals or country mental health resources.

Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians (California). $176,739 to support de-escalation curriculum development and training for all officers of its public safety department, as well as 170 tribal officers from neighboring cities and counties.

The 2023 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Awards

Chickasaw Nation (Oklahoma). $142,382 to fund trainings on mental health and wellness topics for law enforcement and their families, including on post–critical incident mental health, peer mentoring, and suicide prevention.

Pueblo of Isleta (New Mexico). $120,000 to purchase access to professional psychological services and police officer mental health wellness trainings, including counseling services, fitness for duty evaluations, traumatic event debriefings, and family counseling.

The 2023 School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) Awards

Quapaw Nation (Oklahoma). $238,037 to support updating access control systems for the Quapaw and Commerce Public Schools.

Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe (Michigan). $260,541 to support replacement and installation of radios, security cameras, ID scanning software, and other safety equipment, as well as the hiring of a part-time project coordinator to oversee the project.

The 2023 Technology and Equipment Program (TEP) Awards

One tribe received funding under the Technology and Equipment Program (TEP). The FY 2023 TEP is an invitation-only grant program designed to develop and acquire effective equipment, technologies, and interoperable communications that assist in responding to and preventing crime.

Pueblo of Jemez (New Mexico). $147,000

The 2023 COPS Hiring Program (CHP)

This year, six 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.

La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians (California). $124,999 to hire 1 officer.

Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (Wisconsin). $250,000 to hire 2 officers.

Muscogee Creek Nation (Oklahoma). $2,000,000 to hire 16 officers.

Santa Clara Pueblo (New Mexico). $125,000 to hire 1 officer.

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (Washington). $411,709 to hire 1 officer.

The Klamath Tribes (Oregon). $125,000 to hire 1 officer.

The 2023 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, 67 tribes received a total of $29,924,556 in TRGP funding: $9,413,060 for hiring and $20,511,496 for equipment and training.

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