Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee

The Attorney General established a Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC) in all U.S. Attorney's Offices to promote and facilitate better communication among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; to identify specific training and resource needs of the district; and to help locate resources to address such needs.

The U.S. Attorney's Office plays an important role in helping local and state law enforcement agencies gain access to federal resources and information that will assist them in their role of protecting the public. A few examples of the resources the office provides to law enforcement are accredited high-quality training seminars in specialized areas, access to DOJ grant information, and assisting officers and agencies in determining if a criminal matter qualifies for federal prosecution.

This unit also works with schools and community groups to plan and implement programs that reduce drug abuse and violence. The U.S. Attorney's Office initiated a program that resulted in the installation of the Drug Free - Gun Free School Zone signs that are now seen posted at the entrance to virtually every public school in northeastern Oklahoma.

The U.S. Attorney's Office sponsors a quarterly law enforcement business meeting which is open to all law enforcement and emergency personnel. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss topics in the criminal justice field, and to promote a spirit of cooperation and good will among law enforcement agencies.

Often, new federal law enforcement initiatives are launched, or DOJ policies are changed that affect law enforcement at the state and local level. The U.S. Attorney's Office plays a major role in notifying and training law enforcement agencies about these new initiatives and policy updates. This continuing communication process helps all law enforcement agencies to more effectively complement each other in protecting the public interest. The law enforcement assistance unit also serves as an information and referral source for the average citizen who is looking for direction in the maze of municipal, state, and federal justice systems.

BJA VALOR OFFICER SAFETY INITIATIVE

In 2010, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) VALOR Officer Safety Initiative was created in response to the startling increase in felonious assaults that have taken the lives of many law enforcement officers. VALOR provides all levels of law enforcement with tools to help prevent violence against law enforcement officers and enhance officer safety, wellness, and resiliency.

GRANTS

	Office of Justice Programs offers federal financial assistance to scholars, practitioners, experts, and state and local governments and agencies. Funding Opportunities at OJP provides links to application kits, current funding opportunities listed by source, and the Grants Management System (GMS). The OJP Grants 101 portal presents a step-by-step guide through the grant application process.

	The Office on Violence Against Women administers grant programs that are designed to develop the nation's capacity to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by strengthening services to victims and holding offenders accountable.

	The Community Oriented Policing Services Office (COPS) offers grants to help law enforcement agencies to hire more community policing officers, to acquire new technologies and equipment, to hire civilians for administrative tasks, and to promote innovative approaches to solving crime. The COPS Office Response Center provides information on programs, grants, and application assistance for the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The COPS Office Response Center also assists COPS grantees with financial questions and grant-related inquiries about COPS.