Funding in the amount of $1 billion was included in the stimulus for the COPS Program.  The Department of Justice has just released guidance information on how the funds will be distributed and can be spent.  This is a competitive grant program for eligible communities that provides funding directly to law enforcement agencies having primary law enforcement authority—offering funding for newly hired officers, including providing funding for new officers to fill existing officer vacancies that are no longer funded as a result of state, local or tribal budget cuts.   Funds will NOT be provided to start-up agencies, to fund a consortium of agencies, or for contracting law enforcement services.  As has been mentioned the stimulus package contains funding for many programs of interest to local government.  We'll be providing updates through this blog, our weekly Legislataive LINK and other communications.

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