The Justice Department has allocated 152 grants to 90 American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, totaling over $84 million. These funds are distributed through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) program.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the awards during a meeting with Tribal leaders, advocates, media members, and federal officials. The focus of the meeting was on using media coverage to address issues related to missing or murdered Indigenous peoples and human trafficking.
The CTAS grants aim to enhance Tribal justice systems, strengthen law enforcement responses, improve child abuse case handling, combat domestic and sexual violence, support Tribal youth programs, and provide services for crime victims among American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) administer these awards.
“We have heard from Tribal leaders about the complex public safety challenges their communities are facing and about the innovative and culturally appropriate solutions they propose to meet those challenges,” stated Acting Assistant Attorney General Brent J. Cohen of OJP. He emphasized that these investments reflect a strong commitment to Tribal community safety.
Of the total grants awarded under CTAS, OJP funded more than $53 million while the COPS Office contributed over $31 million. OJP's funding supports strategic planning across systems, strengthening infrastructure in Tribal justice systems, investigating child abuse cases, juvenile courts focused on healing, and youth programs.
The COPS Office provided funds for 49 Tribes to hire personnel, purchase equipment, and make training grants for community policing expansion. This funding can be used for hiring or rehiring full-time law enforcement officers as well as acquiring necessary equipment and technology.
“The COPS Office is honored to continue assisting with our Tribal partners by providing funding for vital resources that help law enforcement agencies improve services to both their officers and the communities they serve,” said Director Hugh T. Clements Jr. of the COPS Office.
Beyond CTAS awards, OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime issued nearly 200 grants totaling over $54 million through the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside program for crime victim services in Tribal communities. Additionally, OJP’s Office of Sex Offender Sentencing awarded 20 Tribes a total of $7 million to aid in registration development efforts.