First Responders

March 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that the Department of Justice is now accepting applications for $1 billion in Recovery Act Funds for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program. Approximately 5,500 law enforcement officer jobs will be created or saved in law enforcement agencies across the country through funding provided by the Department of Justice.

"This investment of Recovery Act funds will pump new resources into our communities through a program with a proven track record," said U.S. Attorney General Holder. "We will not just create and preserve jobs, but also increase community policing capacity and crime-prevention efforts."    » read more »

March 6, 2009 -- Today President Barack Obama announced that Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice are making available $2 billion Recovery Act 2009 funding allocations for state and local law enforcement and criminal justice assistance, available through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

This funding will be used to help communities keep their neighborhoods safer with more cops, prosecutors, and probation officers; more radios and equipment; more help for crime victims and more crime prevention programs for youth.    » read more »

Department Receives additional Funding for National Security, Combating Financial Fraud, Hiring More Police Officers, Civil Rights Division, Prison Operations

February 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The President released the Administration’s FY 2010 top-line budget proposal today which includes $26.5 billion for the Department of Justice (DOJ), a 3.5 percent increase more than the FY 2009 budget. The Department’s budget includes enhanced funding for: national security and intelligence; combating financial fraud; hiring additional police officers; civil rights enforcement; securing our nation’s borders; and for federal detention and incarceration programs.    » read more »

Funds for New Police Officers, Combating Violence Against Women and Fighting Internet Crimes Against Children Included in Act

February 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — Today President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R.1), which includes $4 billion in Department of Justice grant funding to enhance state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts, including the hiring of new police officers, to combat violence against women, and to fight internet crimes against children, the Department of Justice announced.    » read more »

Midland, MI, July 02, 2008 -- A safety train equipped with a classroom and training center on rails has rolled into Lansing to provide free railroad and chemical transportation training to local firefighters and other emergency response personnel. The Michigan TRANSCAER Training Tour, presented by The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), has brought chemical and rail industry professionals to several communities in Michigan to provide hands-on training, the training will begin Midland May 22 and conclude in Lansing July 2.    » read more »

06/16/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Yolo County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Diaz, of Woodland, CA:

"Deputy Tony Diaz was a true hero who sacrificed his life to protect the citizens of his community. The people of California will never forget Tony's selflessness, bravery and tireless dedication to keeping Yolo County safe. Maria and I extend our deepest condolences to Tony's family, friends and fellow officers during this difficult time."

Diaz, 37, died June 15, after being shot during a traffic stop on County Road 5 at County Road 99 in Dunnigan, CA. He was a 10 year veteran of the Yolo County Sheriff's Department. He is survived by three children.    » read more »

June 9, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today signed into law two bills designed to help keep Connecticut communities safer and to protect the first responders – police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians – who accept that difficult and often dangerous job.    » read more »

June 9, 2008 -- Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, reiterated his call for the Congress and the Administration to fully support state and local law enforcement in wake of new data detailing nationwide decreases in murders, robberies and other felonies.    » read more »

06/03/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today joined representatives from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), local elected officials, firefighters and Blue Ribbon Commission Task Force members to unveil five new engines from the OES Engine Program that have been assigned to the San Diego, Escondido, Oceanside, Murrieta and Riverside Fire Departments.

California Governor Schwarzenegger unveils new fire engines: Photo courtesy California Governor's office    » read more »

May 15, 2008 -- Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement to commemorate the National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

"On this National Peace Officers Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who lost their lives making our streets safer and our families more secure, including the 181 courageous Americans who fell in the line of duty last year - and our thoughts and prayers go out to their loved ones.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement after the Senate took the first step to passing the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007 (S.2123). Senator Obama is an original cosponsor of the bill and voted in favor of beginning debate on it.

A Seattle firefighter: Photo by Narisa (CC)    » read more »

Grant Will Enhance Fire and Police Response in NYC, Westchester and Long Island

April 16, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that $34 million in homeland security grant funds have been awarded to the New York City urban area as part of the federal government’s Urban Area Security Initiative.

FDNY fire truck: Photo by Sergio Calleja (CC)

The funds are made available through the federal Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program that will help fire, police and other first responders better communicate during emergencies.    » read more »

Effort Calls for Increased Funding for Community Oriented Policing Services Program

April 9 ,2008 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is urging his Senate colleagues to fully fund a program that provides critical resources to train new law enforcement officers, invest in crime-fighting technologies, fight methamphetamine abuse, and support a range of additional law enforcement priorities.

Wisconsin police motorcycle: Photo by Michael Pereckas (CC)    » read more »

04/08/2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator John Kerry today sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging the Department to immediately implement recommendations that came as a direct result of an investigation Kerry requested last year.

In March of 2007, Kerry requested an investigation into DOJ’s administration of federal death benefits for the families of 34 eligible firefighters, police officers and other public safety officers who died in the line of duty.

Massachusetts firefighters: Photo by ariwriter (CC)    » read more »

April 07, 2008 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley announced Monday the state has received federal approval of its advanced communications plan for first responders and a $13.5 million homeland security grant to help implement the plan.

The State Interoperable Communications Plan, designed by state and local leaders, allows for technological advancement in communications for first responders across the state. Alabama is one of only twenty states to receive federal approval so far.    » read more »