Three agencies under the Department of Justice umbrella have earmarked $95 million to support Tennessee public safety efforts.
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) funding allotment would target violent crime, support law enforcement efforts to combat the manufacture and distribution of illicit drugs, improve officer mental health and wellness and bolster school safety.
“Supporting our partners in state, local and tribal law enforcement is at the heart of our mission at the Department of Justice,” COPS Office Director Phil Keith said. “These federal investments in the state of Tennessee will help keep kids safe in school, provide peer support services for law enforcement officers and give crime victims critical resources needed to heal in the aftermath of a crime.”
OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan said the state’s law enforcement personnel and service providers deserve to know the Department of Justice is doing everything in its power to help them safeguard their communities and protect their fellow citizens.
“The Office of Justice Programs is so very pleased to make its resources available to support them in this vital work.”
Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI) Director David Rausch said the grant funding would make the difference for the agency by providing extra resources to better address some of the most pressing issues impacting communities across the state.
“We are thankful to our partners at COPS and the Department of Justice for their support and their investment in TBI and agencies across the state to improve public safety and the quality of life for all Tennesseans,” he said.