WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $823,341 in grant funding to support community policing efforts and strategies throughout Virginia. The funding, awarded to state and national organizations headquartered in Virginia, was made available through DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services’ (COPS) Community Policing Development Awards program.

“I am pleased that Virginia has received these grants to help advance public safety and foster police-community relationships,” said Sen. Warner. “These federal funds will help ensure police departments have the tools and training they need to increase police involvement in the communities they protect, and improve public trust in law enforcement.”

Under today’s announcement, the following organizations will receive funding:

• International Association of Chiefs of Police: $75,000
• Major Cities Chiefs Association: $75,000
• Major County Sheriffs’ Association: $74,996
• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives: $73,733
• National Sheriffs’ Association: $74,760
• Richmond Police Department: $74,852
• Virginia Community Policing Institute: $375,000

The COPS Office is responsible for advancing community policing nationwide.  Since 1995, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies. COPS grants fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 129,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products, including publications, training and technical assistance.  For additional information about COPS, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

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