Reelingin.gral1t funds
his important operation has
the ti.dl support oJ'lllanagcmcnt ... as IOf'tg as the funding is available." This funding caveat
exists in nearly all operations. Technical surveillance assignments cannot

proceed \vithout l'umling, but tech
cquipllH.:nt can be costly. Fortunately!,
assistance ror those in need oC funds
I'or technical surveillance equipment is
available fi"OIll several sources.

"Show me the money!"
GrauL l'undillg is avai!abil: from
many sources. Managers and administrators should be ,1\varc of till' various

available to obtain personnel
and equipment. All of the folJO\ving
avCtlLll'S

potentia] funding sources arc easily
round on the Internet. These sources

include:
• The National Criminal Justice
Reference Servicc f()lll1d on the \Vch
at \VW\V .nej rs.org/fedgrant. htm.
• The l)~patim(':nt of Justice,
National Lay\' Enforccment and Corrections Technology Center located at
www.nlectc.()rg/.
• "Information Sharing to Prevent
Juvenik Delinquency: i\ Training and
Technical Assistance ':\PI)fOach."
This document is found a1
w\\, w. Ill'j rs. org/ fcdg ran 1. htill //bj a.
• The U.S. Department orJllstice,
Office OfJllsticc Programs on the Weh
at \V\V\v .register.aspensy s.[om,lcme]a ugh/bj a/abo ut/ indcx. htn] I.
• The Bureau orJustiee
Assistance \\/eb site at
\vwvv.nej rs.org,itxlfiles I/fs000242.lX L
• The Commerce 8usiness Daily,
Departrnent of Commerce', al
hl tp://cbdncLgpo.gov/
• The Federal Register, which is
found on the \\'ch at \v\vw.aecess.gpo.
gov/su_docs/aces/accs 140.htrnl.
• "Funding Sources: Grants
for non-protils or individuals.
This docmnent is found at

www.lib~msu.edt111larris23/grant~/

the agency r~lcV,l!lt to the grant This
is an opportunity to paint a positive
Each ofthese!,/ch sites·provides
pidure of the nXjul'sting agency. The
in1roduclio]l should include a biogralinks and guidance to help law
phy of key persons who are involved
cnfDrcement ag~ncies succes,sful1y
complete a grant r~qucst
in the grant. /\Iso included in this section arc a department's t1rganizatiollal
Grant writing: step by step
goal" philo,ophy and record with
The En\rironmental Protection
other grantors. Success stories regardAgcncy(EPA) VV'ehsite,l.lt
ing other grant-Iilllded projects also
www.epa.gov/sct~hOnJe/grants/sn.;/
should he included. \Vhen requl:sting
m~icop6n.htm) cohtains'.uiJ ~xcelJynt
funds ror technicill equipment, it is
step~by-stcp gllid~ to,d~vclopfilga
important for a requesting ag~ncy 10
grant proposaL Thcsite;pi'oviqes 'tlse~
explain how ofTicl:rs arc already sucful;inforl11ation.,and:gui~tance;,fbr
ccssfully using the tcchn()logy. In
applyixlg for, tintypeS bfgra'nts.:.The
total, the introduction should
following stepsa~ctak~Iifro~ll-t~c
brielly describe \vh(L what, why,
E~A'~ gra~t\Vdtingr:ec-f;l)1rn~n.datIcns
when, and how I11llch money is
u,ud arecomhincq witij,.additio!itt1
n:qlles1cd.
infomlatio~lt6Jltlp''1ar'.pl?terFef11~i-.
Problem st3tl'IlH.'lIt, needs 3SSCSStajl~' a.gra:rf-reJive~f·t~i'Bq~u4¢·:tec;h~,
ment. This seclion describes the reariical~ulv~il~&pc:dt.;~:ui~~he,.:,:':\.'\:,':::::,.":;
son why the gralll is required and
Proposal:.su,Jtl.nta:rY'." Thp'J)'rPl?QB~
f.hould include slatistics that support
surnn~aty;.:whiE?trR~'~,:t:p,g,:f~tpt',tir~.::":.::··::":::,, the n~ed and relate the requested tech
COYCtlcttel>isf~e>~)rh:·:912~.;~t.r~:~~<t"··; equipmenL to the overall mission of
ti}al:li~tJhr~e!:"poi~t~Lqf-:~Jl~::~11,nf~}::.\.
:.
the agency. li or example, technical
r.c9uyst,.f.tSh~tl:(qhe::flrar;~:~l\~+:~Qri:r>~::,:t:'\:··· surv~illancc cqllipn]cnt, SllCh as a
cbe:.:~cgl'4?iihg:,~!lW·:-Jc.f~,~\6~f:f~:fy~ei:l¥:.::7
covert t ran SI11 itter, i111prt)vcs C()tl1mlllattce, e.qui~.,ltl.C~t-,p~ft:Ot::t.h~,':r.c9qe$,t;:v.:\.' i. ,. nicatiol1s during undercover operathC:':cover:l.ette:::',~h?qlg)Y$~ify;::tg~:Pttt~\:
tions. (n]]1 roved co 111 III un ications
d?~~~; \bF~'~~~rrwi£:~l,~f:'}::.>:. :'·::'>:;"; results in b-:tter evidence coJlecLion
Te:9qEft.t11ii~Bf:tt~t~';\:·'A4~\·~::\·;k
and enhances safety to otliccrs
: ;:,:=e::q~~t~d,~t¢:~b:rij::6~li~~.t:ye~1'*i;~\:'~';':': invo Ived. Better cv ide nce C() II eet ion
.' ':l'Mle~'::~~:nlp!p~rtt-,~ilC~;W¥If!:.·~\':~: can result in jl:wcr trials. Suspecls
:;'9~r.~6~Ii:t)t::{(,l.ip~;:e~,ti?~~~.,9nWt$;r1:>; Dilen ple<ld guilty instLad of risking
telati~:d:tQ;~tbe.::gnwt:.r¥qlJ~stt~t-:Lt·'~" ':'
the dallltlilig taped evidence appearing
'~~g,e;~.tx::!it1rWa:tit'~~#kt~!SV~~%:i\t;::~r:; in open cutHi. (juilty pleas save coul1
,;.rrpri:~.:()tl'b~: i[ii~;;~:9}l~;St.::·:'.:,· :":;;. ' ". :i3;~:::;:,costs. Add 11 ion aIll', video an d amI i0
. . .. Pil~t>pre8e~f,J~4,i¥~
·j,~,\CqUirl1~Ctlt improves the abil.ity
,,;:,;::+'t:"9P£t#t@../itsupervlsc undercover operatIOns In the
"';·':k%,\k'1£%~~tr~:::;.fieJ d.
..
The grant \'vTiter should conter
with technical surveillance starr
prior to complc1ion of this section
oftlle grant. Needed teeh equipI11cn1 is sOllldimcs overlooked
because grant writers do not discuss
equipment needs \vith technical SUT~
veillance personnel.

grants.hlm.

.

tl:

Novomber ;;000· Law Enforcement Technology 97

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•. ,yiUJ,eJpJ~w~el)furc~l11ellf:"genCie~ 1,I1}d~fstilrid Who give~ and whi> gelsg~ls;
hlci.tapWs coYerddbi1lie'Yidb".inclu'\le Who"gets grants, wi1eregr~llts fit iri'<!.
f\Ja(!dev~tQpP.l~ni:piati!i!)'e~QUr~oUrcesofgtat\.t&, t)Je key elements 16 consid~~ .
'~Jl a:y~rchfor iWids,lI;rilf.;l wjiJl;llljg foimul#OrS1'I.ccess, To obtaifla'. '. ,: . .
eoPyofthe.~ideotllj;>~, Jyj~il:'"ww.li~.lnsU,e4U/hanis2JigrantsI4fcVideo.hti)l:....
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Project objectives. The project
objectives section describes the
expected resuh of the grant funding.
Objectives are specific, measurable
outcomes - realistic and obtainable.
Check the objectives in this parl of
the request against objectives desired
by the grant advertisement. Be sure
the ohjectives listed match the grant
requirements. An example of an
objective that includes tech equipment might be a statement that officers will collect covert audio or
videotaped evidence to support the
investigations whenever possible.
Project methods or design. This
section outlines the tasks that \vill be
accomplished. References to technical surveillance equipment can be
included in this area. The methods
section can be structured as a timelinc
\vith projected beginning and end
dates assigned to individual tasks.
This section is used to describe why
individual methods or designs were

selected.

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98 Law Enforcement Technology· November 2000

.

.

'

•

Project evaluation. This pOliion
of the grant rcqlle&t describes the criteria the agency will lise to measure
progress tm.vard project goals. This
section details how the agency plans
to determine its success. Keep in
mind that evaluation is an ongoing
process that begins as soon as the
department receives the grant. Many
grants require grantees to submit
monthly progress reports. Tracking
the use ofteeh equipment also is a
good \val' to justify its purchase.
Future funding. This section

describes how the project will be
funded in the future. When other
funds will supplement or match the
requested grant funds, it shm.vs good
faith on the part of the requesting
agency. This section describes \vho
\vill maintain the equipment and conduct future training for equipment
users. In most cases the agency being
funded will pick up these eosts and
responsibilities after the grant
expires.

Project budget. The project budget can he a line·item list of predicted
expenses. The projected budget
should include the following items:
• Personnel e.l,penses. Ifpositions
are being added or created, this section should describe all salaries and
benefits associated with the positions.
If an agency has a healthy supply of
tech equipment. a civilian technician
with advanced electronics skil1&
should be considered.
• Travel and training. Sophisticated tech equipment, like the spectrum analyzers used in countermeasun~s work, require training. Remember to include training costs in all
grant requests.
• Equipment. Confer with technical surveillance staIr and undercover
officers to determine hO\~' tech equipment might he applied within the
grant. There are many reputable vendors of tech equipment. The National
Technical Investigators Association
(NATIA) hosts an annual trade shmv
for vendors of tech equipment, and
the local \lATtA chapter can provide
important contact information regarding tech equipment. To learn more
about NATIA, visit its "Vcb site at
w\v\v.natia.org/home .htm.
• Supplies. Supplies might
include batteries. audio and videotapes. Iv'lost tech equipment requires
an A.C or DC pmver source. for officer safety reasons, batteries for disguise transmitters are never re-used,
so make sure to budget for a healthy
supply of them.
• Contract costs. If the grant
requires any special contractual
arrangement include these in the hudgct section. Some vendors of tcch
equipment have leasing programs. If
an agency doesn't \vish to purchase a
high-dollar tech item, leasing may be
a viable option.
Appendices. The appendices section includes reference infonnation or
importance to the reviewer. This can
include the resumeS of persons
involved with the grant and lelters of
support or endorsement from influential individuals. Letters from prosecu-

tors stating the importance of
audio and video evidence collection
might help justify tech equipment
expenses. Vendors of tech
equipment can provide refelTals to
law enforcement agencies who have
successfully used the equipment to
investigate erimcs related to the
grant.

,Justifying the need
Specific items of tech equipment
can be justified in various \vays.
Requests for tech equipment should
answer the rollowing questions:
(1) What is the item of equipment
and hm.v much does it cost?
(2) Why is the equipment
required?

----==---====------------'======----

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November 2000· Law Enforcement Technology 99

Billions of dollars
from Washington
are auailable to
your jurisdiction
whether it's a
hamlet or a huge
city. Do you know
how to get your
share of the pie?
By Donna Rogers

e creative. Plan well. Be
aggressive. Then be prepared to wait. These are
the nuggets of insight LET
received when asking
police departments how to write grants
that turn into dollars for their projects.
Ironically, just knowing which grants
are out there is half the battle. It can be
time-consuming to find the proper Web
sites to reveal what grants are available
and then locate the proper people to
connect with.
Even so, many agencies seem to
excel in their efforts to garner funds.
The Boston (Massachusetts) Police
Department has secured nearly $30 million in discretionary funding since
1994. How did they do it? "Get to know
who's who. Be a little aggressive,"
advises Jim Jordan, director of strategic
planning and resources development,
Boston PD. In other words, there are
ways to cut through the red tape.
"Know your congressional office,
not because grant writing's a political
18 Law Enforcement Technology • March 2000

process, but because they can get your
phone calls returned. And they can let
you know what's coming up. It makes it
a little easier, instead of cold calling,"
Jordan recommends.
He mentions two basic types of
grants: discretionary grants, where the
government office makes the decision
about which grants will be awarded,
and block, or formula, grants, which go
to cities based on population and crime
rate.
But there's also room to create your
own grant proposals. "You can approach
state legislators," he says. If you come
up with a creative idea, he says they can
earmark funds into your state budget.

As with anything, though, it's tough
getting the process off the ground. "We
were in the dark when we first began,"
Jordan admits. "It's a bit slow at first.
But the best way to begin is to just do it.
Find out how it works. To be in the
game, you have to develop good ideas
that pass vigorous tests and peer
review." The payoff is that your agency
develops a reputation, and it becomes
progressively easier to get your grants
approved. "Bounce ideas off of peers
who may be just a couple months ahead
of you," he suggests, "and off people in
Washington [like those at] the National
Institute of Justice (NIJ), the Bureau of
Justice Assistance (BJA), and the office

FUNDING
(3) Who will operate and maintain
the equipment?
(4) How will the equipment
improve the operation?
(5) What is the result of not fLmdiog the equipment?
For example, if a department wishes to purchase a disguise transmitter,
body-wire/receivers and repeaters, the
justification might point out that:
• The technology enhances officer safety by permitting undercover
officers to commtmicate vdth cover
officers.
• It allows conversations to be
recorded, permitting the collection of
important audio evidence.
• It pennits improved supervision
and oversight of undercover operations by allmving monitoring while
the operation is in progress.
• Not funding the request reduces
the ability of the department to monitor undercover transactions, reduces
officer safety, and results in the
reliance on the recollection of conversations for court testimony.
Pointing out the risks involved
without this funding provides ample
justification for most typc~ of tceh
equipment.

Government programs
Three government programs exist
to help law enforcement obtain specialized equipmcnt. The programs are
known as 1033, Surplus Property
Donation, and 1122.
The] 033 program allO\\ls the
transfer, without charge, of excess
U.S. Department of Defense supplies
and equipment to statc and 10cal1a\',:
enforcement. In the past, agencies
have received vehic1es l \veapons,
ammunition, computer equipment,
hody annor, night vision, radios and
photographic equipment through this
program. The property must be
picked up at a location designated by
the program l s administrators. Further
information on the 1033 program can
hc found at www.nleclc.org/.
Each state has an agency for surplus federal property. These agencies
were estahlished to receive federal
surplus property and to donate it to
public agencies. The goal of the Surplus Property Donation program is to
save taxpayer dollars by extending the
life of federal exccss/surplus propcrty.
In thc Surplus Property Donation program, the recipient agency is charged
a processing fee up to ]() percent of

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100 Law Enforcement Technology· November 2000

Three
government
programs exist
to help obtain
specialized
E!CIlIipl"~nt.
the acquisition cost of the surplus
property. Transportation oftbe propcrty to the recipient agency is handled
by the program's administrators. Past
examples of property donated through
this program include an emergency
generator that was donated to a correctional facility in Arkansas, and
40,000 yards of white sailcloth
that was converted into prisoner
clothing and sheets for a state prison.
A listing of state agencies and
representatives for surplus property
can be found on the Weh at
www.nasasp.state.ut.us/sasps.htm.
The 1122 program allows an
agency to purchase equipment for
counterdrug activities with the discounts received in federal government
contracts. The program is administered through the Department of the
Army and the Defense Logistics
Agcncy, and product pricing is contained in the Law Enforcement
Equipment and Supply Catalog.
For more information, visit
\vv{\v,dscr.dla,millproducts/law!
lawcat. htm.
Obtaining the funds to purchase
and support technical surveillance
equipment is an important challenge.
Fortunately, a variety of resources
exist to help agencies obtain the
funds and equipment to support
tech operations. 0

Frank Kardasz is a sergeant ~vith the
Phoenix (Arizona) Police Department. He is currently assigned to the
department '.'I Organized Crime
Bureau ~ internet Crimes Against
Children Task Force. He has
authored and administered several
grants involving technical surveillunce operations and equipment.

of Community Oriented Policing
Services (COPS). It's ahout relationship
building, like in any business, the networking process."
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
"It's been extra work," Jordan notes.
"Using grant funding is a complicated
business. It causes added administrative
burdens. But the beauty of it is that it
helps accelerate change." In other
words, a department spends most of its
money on the basics: pcrsonneL flInning
fleets, etc. These bonus discretionary
funds can go to do more.

A program backgrounder
Each of the available grants seems to
have a certain bent. Most of the grants
fall under the Office of Justice
Programs' (OlP) various bureaus,
These are the Bureau of Justice
Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics
(B.lS), the Orrice of Violent Crime
(OVC), the National Institute of .lusticc,
and the Office of .luvenile Justiec
Delinquency and Prevention (OJJDP).
Checking out the Web page of each is a
way to begin. Separate, but sometimes
overlapping in program types, is the
Dl.'Partment of Justice COPS program.
It is probably the most well-known
because its predominant intention is to
add officers to the beat and enhance
community policing. It comes at the
same time as the drop in the Clime rate
so this strategy is widely credited by the
public for that success. It provides hiring monies for new comnmnlty otlieers.
The BJA 3\\-'ards block grants for officer
hiring and overtime, as well as in six
other categories. It also provides discretionary grants earmarked for training
and cybercrime. The NIl funds research
and equipment, the OVC is directed
toward victims and domestic violence,
and the O.l.lDP focuses on youth.
There is a lot lo learn about these
programs and a lot of funds to be had.
Regardless of your community Of
dcpartmenl size, if you have the
patience and know-how, there are many
grants available.
The COPS program
"The seven-and-a-half-year drop in
crime is the longest nmning decrease in
our country's history," notes Jessica
Robinson. spokesperson for the COPS
programs, and she likes to think it had
something to do with the office she
works for. COPS was fonned in 1994
under the auspices ofthe Department of

The COPS program, which already has
put over 100,000 recruits on the street,
has funds available to add 30,000 to
50,000 officers over the next five years.

.lustiec (DO.l) as a result of the
Omnibus Crime Law. Its primary aim
was to add 100,000 cops to police
forces across the countty, Today it has
surpassed lhal goal. and it has been
extended nve more years to provide an
additional 30,000 to 50,000 otlicers.
Ovcr the first five years COPS provided S1.4 billion in funding annually.
In FY2000 it has $913 million at its disposal. While most COPS grant funding
is dedicated to providing the salary and
benefits of ne,v community policing
officers, it also provides a myriad of initiatives to foster partnerships, advance
community government and target specific crime problems.
Its Universal Hiring Program (UHPj
is a three-year program, which is funding its first installment this year. It contributes up to 75 percent of salary and
benefits for new officers, up to $75,000
total over a three-year period. A parallel
strategy, the Cops and Schools
Program, earmarks $180 million to
enhance school safety. This also is a
three-year program to hire cops but
allows up to $125,000 in funding over
the time span. Further, Tribal Resources
has heen allotted $40 million this year
for law enforcement personnel, equipment and training. And there also are a
bunch of funds cam13rked by Congress
for specific uses. For example, in
j:Y2000 $100 million has been tagged
t,)r technology funds and $35 million
for methamphetamine initiatives.

How the award system works
But how does the selection process
work fIX a proposal? '"I f the applicants
seem out offine compared ,vith the average officer-to-citizen ratios for that area
or state, it may be questioned," Robinson
says. "But if [the request] places you in
line with other comparable departments,
it then goes through the review process."
She adds that grantees usually fonn a
close relationship with their grant advisor who assists them in moving the
application along the approval process.
Tn addition, waivers for the required
matching funds arc available for certain
exceptions. That is, if the jurisdiction
area is in extreme financial distress due
to, say, a natural disaster, a plant closing,
a dried-up tax stream, etc., COPS can lin
the 75 percent federal share cap so the
department can get extra money.
However, she adds, the retention requirement that says the new hires must be
hudgeted for hy the fourth year only can
be waived by the attorney general.

"Get to know
who's who and

be a little
aggressive."
~

.Jim Jordan, Boston PD

COPS provides discretionary grants
rather than formula grants, and thus
\vorks directly with law enforcement, not
though the city or state. "We have a good
working relationship and a good
response to their needs," Robinson
slates. "We think the most pressing need
is actual people resources. We believe
we have improved the quality of life
nationwide,"
Federal statute mandates that COPS
gives half the funding to jurisdictions
with populations over 150,000 and half
the money to areas with populations less
than 150,000. "So," she says, "we are
working wlth agencies who have never
received a federal grant before."
It's not difficult to apply for a COPS
6Tf'"d.nt. "We tried to make it as simple as
possible," explains Robinson. It's only a
matter of completing a two-page, frontand-back application. Of course, chief
law enforcement and government offiMarch 2000. Law Enforcement Technology 19

turn, subgrant funds to
local
government.
Formula grant programs, in areas such as
drug control and system
improvement, juvenile
justice, victims' compensation, and victims'
assistance, are administered by state agencies
designated by each
state's
governor.
Di scretionary grant
funds, on the other
hand, are announced in
the Federal Register or
through program solicitations that also can be
found through bureau
and OlP Web sites.
Grant applications
are made directly to the
sponsoring OlP bureau
or program office.
Some grants are available online, through the
OlP or its bureaus.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance awards block grants
to be used for officer hiring and overtime pay.
Many grants are only
available to previous
cials must sign it and commit local
grantees for continuing support, and
funds. "The best grant applications show
many of the deadlines are fast
that the departments really need the offiapproaching. But new grants frequently
cers and that they can sustain them,"
crop up.
says Robinson. "If [the request] seems
If you need technical assistance in
out of line, the grant advisor does a
applying online for OlP Program Office
probe." There may be a reason for the
or bureau grants, calI the OlP Grants
blip. Perhaps it's a crime-ridden area the
Management System (GMS) hotline at
department is trying to eradicate. As
888/549-990 I. Your calls will be directlong as you demonstrate a need, COPS
ed to the appropriate GMS information
usualIy comes through, she explains.
technician for a response.
The application forms for FY2000
should be available soon. As soon as the
BJA grant highlights
monies are freed for this year, if an
"B.JA funds are readily available to
agency meets the requirements, COPS
law enforcement," says Luke Galant,
expects to fill pending grant requests,
senior advisor for law enforcement,
Robinson explains.
BlA. He's referring to block grants that
The applications are sent to COPS,
go directly to ajurisdiction.
which passes them to individual grant
B.JA grants arc available through
advisors. They make sure the request is
three primary funding streams. The
appropriate according to their guideLocal Law Enforcement Block Grants
lines and that all the requirements are
(LLEBG) go directly to the jurisdicmet. Grants are awarded every month.
tion, to the mayor, the county commisBut the reality is that the process takes
sioner, etc. "Because it's awarded to
an average of six months.
someone close to them, it provides the
greatest level of influence," he says.
The OJP umbrella
There is a large amount of funding
The following is a rundown of funds
available here. Since its inception three
available through the OlP or its
years ago, there's been $500 million
bureaus, and a description of how each
each year. There are nine technical
program works. Many of the program
areas that range from educational
bureaus and offices award formula, or
scholarships to equipment procurement
block, grants to state agencies, which, in
programs.
20 Law Enforcement Technology· March 2000

Block grants, such as those in the
LLEBG program, are determined by
Part I of the FBI's Uniform Crime
Report (UCR). There is no requirement
that departments report UCR numbers.
Therefore, there's a catch: if you don't
report, you will not be c1igible for any
funding. It works like this. Each state is
proportioned a certain dolIar amount
based upon the census numbers and the
violent crime rate of the past three
years. If the grants are $10,000 or more,
true in the majority of cases, the money
goes directly to the jurisdiction. (If it is
less, the funds go to the state first.) It is
a 10-percent matching program. For
every $9 the government contributes,
the jurisdiction must match $1.
There categories that the funding
must be used for: (I) Equipment purchases, (2) hiring civilian and sworn
personnel, and paying overtime, (3) task
forces where feds participate, (4) crime
prevention, (5) drug courts, (6) enhancing prosecution for violent offenders,
and (7) indemnification for law enforcement officers.
The BlA's Edward Byrne Formula
Grant Program is a population-formula
program. It also is at about the $500
million level, reports Galant. Under its
umbrella are 26 purpose areas, "in
every conceivable area of criminal justice (not just law enforcement)."
Right off the bat, states receive 1/4
of I percent as a base proportion.
Beyond that, the size of the grant is
based upon population and crime rate.
It is, however, competitive as to
which area of the jurisdiction the money
will be slated for. In order to participate,
states prepare a multi-year strategy that
includes hearings throughout the state.
Local and regional police agencies can
participate in this planning process by
submitting proposals for their projects.
Then the state administration agency
subgrants the funds to the state and
local agencies. "It then becomes a discretionary program," says Galant. This
means that it's a 25-percent match program, where for every $3 granted the
state must contribute $1. In addition,
there are some limits on the uses for the
money. It cannot be used to acquire real
property or for construction. "But
beyond that, there's not much that can't
be done," Galant adds.
The third program, the Edward
Byrne Discretionary Grant Program,
provides some $50 million to new and
innovative programs, usually within the

government's high-priority
areas. Most goes to training
and technical assistance, and
\vho gets it is usuaHy spelled
out. In fact, Galant points
out, "in recent years Congress has earmarked it for
very specific uses and juris-

I, 1999, are eligihle
for FY2000 funding.
Applications will he
accepted up until
May 13.

prospective grantees to propose their own issues. It has
[ullded "a tremendous range
of projects," says Galant,
who believes that it's the
program that most closely
reflects the needs of communities across the country.

Bureau
of Justice
Statistics

"BJA funds

are readily available
to law enforcement."
-

Luke Galant, BJA

dictions. It's a very competitive pot of money."
Also under this discretionary program is an opensolicitation program available to police, courts. corrections ano parole. As the most
open-ended type of grant
otfered by the B./A, it allows

The last program under
the BJA banner is something
that grabs a lot of attention.
It's the Bulletproof Vest
Partnership (RVP) grant act,
and it's designed to pay up
to 50 percent of the cost of
an NlJ-approved vest. Vests
purchased on or after March

l

in your
handcuffsjustto
lT1Iake thelT1l lighter!
TheA-lOS
UUralite"'
Chain
Handcuff
TheA-SSO
UUralite'"
Hinged
Handcuff

CHOOSETHE
ULTRALITE®
SERIES
Half the weight of
steel handcuJIs

Call Toll-Free ji,r
the nearest distributor

\viih comparable
strength.

888·403·8848

Write in 19 on Reader Service Card

22 Law Enforcement Technology· March 2000

Grant contacts
Log onto the following Web sites to
obtain grant infomlation:
• \vww.ojp.u.r,;doj.gov
• www.ojp.usdoj.gov/B./A
• www.ojp.nsdoj.gov/hjs/crs.htm
• 'N'.,v\V,ojp.usdoj.govinij
• www,ojp,usdoj.gov/OYC
• www,usdoj,gov/cops
• ojjdp.ncjrs,org

BJS collects, analyzes, publishes and
disseminates infor• vests.ojp.gov
mation on crime,
Call the following oTtJanizations for
criminal offenders,
more
infornlation on fundillg programs:
victims of crime and
the operation of jus• U.S. Department ofJustiee Call
tice systems at all
Response Center, 800/421-6770
levels of govern• Office of Community Oriented
ment. Because it
Policing Services (COPS),
regards this data as
202/514-2058.
critical to policy
• OlP Grants 1'v1anagement System
makers in combating
(GMS) hotline, 888/549-990 I.
crime and ensuring
justice is both efficient and even-handed.
the National Sex Offender
it provides grants to
Registry (NSOR). Funds
ensure lhis info is coUcckd
also are awarded for collecproperly.
tion of data on presale
Grants that BJS adminisfirearm background checks.
ters arc for criminal record
systems improvement in
ave
the areas of (I) the National
The Office of Violent
Criminal History ImproveClime splits its fLInds between
ment Program (NCHIP), (2)
t\vo diITcrent programs. One,
the l\'ational Sex Offender
victim compensation, pays
Registry, and (3) the
individual victims of crime or
Criminal Records Policy
their families for unreimProgram. For example,
burseo medical expenses, lost
according to its \Veb site, the
\vages or funeral expenses.
goal of the NCHIP program
The second program, called
is to ensure that accurate
victim assistance, receives by
records are availahle tor usc
far the hulk of the funds and
in law enforcement.
helps victims mostly through
Under the program, direct
grants to domestic violence
funding and technical assisshelters, rape crisis centers,
tance is provided. to improve
chi Id ahuse programs and
the quality, timeliness and
other community programs.
immed.iate accessibility of
You may have never
criminal history and related
applied for a grant or you
records. Jiunds and technical
may be considering ho\....
assistance also are provided
you can further increase
to support the interface
your grant resources. In
between states and the
either case, grant monies arc
national record systems,
something to think about.
including the FI3I-operated
There are many funds availNational Instant Criminal
able to law enforcement
Background Check System
today. n
(NICS) established pursuant
to the permanent provision
Donna Rogers is the comof the Brady Handgun
munications editor oI La"'"
Violence Prevention Act and
Enf()rcement Technology.

Page 2 -

January 2001

Funding Law Enforcement. Hotline

J)1~ll1)f.INI~

AgencylProgram

.

(J1)J)ll"'I~

$ Available*

Deadline

Contact

$3,000 to $25,000

Last working days
of Jan., April, July,
and Oct. 2001

http://www.conagra.coml

Open

(612) 540-2211

Corporate Support
ConAgra Foundation

commun.htmf

Foundation Profiles
General Mills Foundation

Up to $100,000

Research and Development

'*
~

• NIJ Minority Trust and Confidence

$1 million

Feb. 15, 2001

(800) 421-6770

• ASA Small Grants

Varies

March 15, 2001

Mark A. Cohen
(615) 322-6814

NIJ Analysis of Existing Data

$35,000

Jan. 25, 2001 and
May 25,2001

Cynthia A. Mamalian
(202) 514-5981

NIJ Crime Mapping

Varies

Open

Dr. Nancy La Vigne
(202) 616-4531

Do Right Foundation violent crime

Varies

Open

Wendy Kuest
(619) 235-5634

NIC Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance

Open

Morris Thigpen
(800) 995-6423

BJA Center for Task Force Training

Tuition and
registration

Open

Institute for

reduction grants

Training

Intergovernmental

Research, (850) 385-0600

Jails
Campaign for Community Reintegration

Varies

Open

Grants Department

(212) 548-0363

Delinquency
• NIAAA alcohol prevention
• NEA Challenge America

*

*

•

$2 million

April 10, 2001

~ayle

$5,000 or $10,000

Feb. 1, 2001

(202) 682-5700

Reported ill this issue

All amoHHts are approximate a"d may be based 011 past giving records

M. Boyd
(301) 443-8774

Page 2 -

December 2000

Funding Law Enforcement Hotline

J)1~lU)J~INI~

Agency/Program

IJI)J)llrl'l~

$ Available*

Deadline

Contact

$3,000 to $25,000

Last working days
of Jan., April, JUly,
and Oct. 2001

http://www.conagra.com/
commun.html

$100,000 and
$20,000

Jan. 12, 2001

$130,000 and

Jan. 5, 2001

Leadership for a Changing
Worid, (202) 777-7560

Open

(612) 540-2211

Corporate Support
ConAgra Foundation

Foundation Profiles
* Innovations in American Government

Leadership for a Changing World

national recognition

General Mills Foundation

Up to $100,000

Innovations

(617) 495-0557

per award

Research and Development
NIJ Analysis of Existing Data

$35,000

Jan. 25, 2001 and
May 25,2001

Cynthia A. Mamalian
(202) 514-5981

NiJ Crime Mapping

Varies

Open

Dr. Nancy La Vigne
(202) 616-4531

Do Right Foundation violent crime

Varies

Open

Wendy Kuest
(619) 235-5634

NiC Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance

Open

Morris Thigpen
(800) 995-6423

BJA Center for Task Force Training

Tuition and
registration

Open

Institute for
Intergovernmental
Research, (850) 385-0600

Varies

Open

Grants Department,
(212) 548-0363

reduction grants

Training

Jails
• Campaign for Community Reintegration

*

*

Reported ill this i.~sue
All amounts are approximate and may be based

011

past giving records

7339 East Evans Road' Scottsdale, AZ' 85260' USA' (480) 991-0797' Fax (480) 991-0791

Billions of Grant dollars are available from Washington!
Grants are awarded every month! Find out how your agency can write grants that turn into
money for new technologies, equipment, training, officer hiring, overtime pay, and many other
new and innovative programs for law enforcement agencies.
There are two basic types of grants: discretionarv grants, where the government office makes
the decision about which grants will be awarded, and block or formula grants, which go to cities
based on population and crime rate. Some grant applications have been reduced to 2 to 4
pages to simplify the administrative process.
You may want to consider how you can increase your grant resources. To learn more about
how to write grants that turn into dollars for projects you can contact the following organizations:
Web Sites for Government Grant Information:
www.free-grant-money.com
www.federalgovernmentgrant.com
www.nlectc.org/grants
www.policegrants.com
www.granted.org
www.writegrant.com
www.policecenter.com
www.nolg.gov.au
www.ojp.usdoj.gov
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/cpo
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crs.htm
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc
www.usdoj.gov/08community/index.html
www.usdoj.gov/cops/gpa/grant_prog/default.htm
www.usdoj.gov/cops
www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org
www.vests.ojp.gov
For more information on funding programs call the following organizations:
U.S. Department of Justice Call Response Center 800-421-6770
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) 202-514-2058
OJP Grants Management System (GMS) hotline 888-549-9901