By Ed Somers
May 12, 2003

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) within the U.S. Department of Justice is accepting applications for almost $200 million in new grant funding.

On May 7, Conference of Mayors Executive Director J. Thomas Cochran hosted a U.S. MayorVision webcast with COPS Office Chief of Staff Tim Quinn to discuss the application process for this money. An archive of the webcast can be seen at usmayors.org.

Following is a summary of the funding categories and deadlines.

$60 Million for Overtime

The new $60 million Homeland Security Overtime Program (HSOP) will offer state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies the opportunity to apply for additional officer overtime funding to support community policing and homeland security efforts. According to the grant announcement, "Law enforcement agencies may apply for funding amounts based on the size of the population they serve or the size of their budgeted sworn strength at the time of the application. A detailed chart is contained in the application package which shows the levels of funding that different size police agencies and cities can apply for. There is also a 25 percent cash match required, and funding is only for one year. And, "the grants cannot be used to reimburse for overtime expenditures that occur prior to the award start date."

Applications must be postmarked on or before June 13 for priority consideration, however COPS will also accept applications postmarked on or before June 27. COPS expects there to be a great interest in this program, and during the webcast Mr. Quinn strongly recommended that cities apply by the first deadline.

$100 Million of Universal Hiring

The COPS Office is accepting applications for $100 million in Universal Hiring Program (UHP) grants. Applications must be postmarked on or before June 6.

$40 Million for COPS in Schools

The COPS Office is accepting applications for $40 million in COPS Schools grants. Applications must be postmarked on or before June 13.

Interoperability Grants

The COPS Office has not yet announced the allocation process for the almost $70 million in interoperability grants contained in the FY 2003 supplemental and omnibus bills. However, during the webcast, Mr. Quinn said that there is likely to be a targeted solicitation for the COPS funding, meaning that larger metropolitan cities and areas will be allowed to apply for funding.

It was also stated on the webcast that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will likely allow the governors of each state to nominate one city or area to apply for the nearly $55 million in interoperability funding that FEMA received under the supplemental funding bill.

Further information and application kits are available by going to www.cops.usdoj.gov.