[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43076-43077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21194]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services


FY 1996 Community Policing Discretionary Grants

AGENCY: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, Department of 
Justice.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented 
Policing Services (``COPS'') announces the availability of grants to 
support the purchase of equipment and technology, and the procurement 
of support services under COPS Making Officer Redeployment Effective 
(``COPS MORE 96''). Eligible applicants under COPS MORE 96 are those 
state, local and other public law enforcement agencies, Indian tribal 
governments, other public and private entities, and multi-
jurisdictional or regional consortia that employ career law enforcement 
officers.

DATES: COPS MORE 96 Application Kits will be available after August 23, 
1996. The COPS Office will accept applications for COPS MORE 96 from 
September 9 through October 31, 1996. Large jurisdictions (those 
serving populations greater than 150,000) are strongly encouraged to 
apply by September 9, 1996.

ADDRESSES: COPS MORE 96 Application Kits will be mailed to all eligible 
agencies or may be obtained by writing to COPS MORE 96, 1100 Vermont 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, 20530, or by calling the Department of 
Justice Response Center, (202) 307-1480 or 1-800-421-6770, or the full 
application kit is also available on the COPS Office web site at: 
http://www.usdoj.gov/cops. Completed application kits should be sent to 
COPS MORE 96, COPS Office, 1100 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20530.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The Department of Justice Crime Bill Response Center, (202) 307-1480 or 
1-800-421-6770.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 
103-322) authorizes the Department of Justice to make grants to 
increase deployment of law enforcement officers devoted to community 
policing on the streets and rural routes in this nation. COPS MORE 96 
is designed to expand the time available for community policing by 
current law enforcement officers, rather than fund the hiring or 
rehiring of additional law enforcement officers.
    COPS MORE 96 permits eligible agencies to seek funding for the 
purchase of equipment and technology, and the procurement of support 
resources (including civilian personnel). As a result of this funding, 
the number of officers redeployed by agencies in community policing 
must be equal to or greater than the number of officers that would 
result from grants of the same amount for hiring new officers. 
Application Kits will be available after August 23, 1996. Completed 
Applications Kits must be received by the COPS Office between September 
9 and October 31, 1996.
    Applicants must provide a thorough explanation of how the proposed 
redeployment funds will actually result in the required increase in the 
number of officers deployed in community policing. Additionally, the 
applicant must specify within the COPS MORE 96 Application a plan for 
continuing the proposed activity following the conclusion of COPS MORE 
96 funding. Technical assistance with the development of community 
policing plans will be provided to jurisdictions in need of such 
assistance. Grants will be made for up to 75 percent of the cost of the 
equipment, technology, or civilian salaries for one year, with the 
remainder to be paid by state or local funds. Waivers of the non-
federal share will be considered upon a showing of severe fiscal 
distress. COPS redeployment funds may not be used to replace funds that 
eligible agencies otherwise would have devoted to equipment, 
technology, or civilian hiring.
    COPS funding must be allocated based on a formula previously 
established by Congress. Under this formula, 50 percent of the annual 
grant funds are awarded to jurisdictions serving populations over 
150,000, and 50 percent of the funds are awarded to those serving 
150,000 or below. The COPS Office already has reached the funding limit 
for FY 96 for smaller jurisdictions, therefore applications for

[[Page 43077]]

the larger jurisdictions will be considered first. Funding for the 
remaining applicants will be based upon FY 97 appropriations.
    An award under COPS MORE 96 will not affect the eligibility of an 
agency's application for a grant under any other COPS program.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) reference for 
this program is 16.710.

    Dated: August 12, 1996.
Joseph E. Brann,
Director.
[FR Doc. 96-21194 Filed 8-19-96; 8:45 am]
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