The Small & Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association (SRLEEA) is dedicated to supporting and promoting law enforcement executives and agencies that serve small, rural, and tribal communities across America. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) will be participating in the 2023 SRLEEA Annual Conference and Training Event - you can find us in the exhibit area.
Funding
BJA offers funding to support a variety of efforts and activities. In fiscal year 2023, for example, BJA funded the following opportunities:
- Rural and Small Department Violent Crime Reduction Program
- Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative for Law Enforcement (Microgrant)
- FY 2023 Smart Policing Initiative Grant Program
Access Current BJA Opportunities
Programs
Learning Community for Rural Jurisdictions
This BJA-supported Learning Community for Rural Jurisdictions is free and open to rural community partners that are interested in addressing substance use in their jurisdictions. The eight-part series, which began on February 14 and concludes on September 12, 2023, features a Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) TTA provider and rural community partners/COSSAP grantees to demonstrate how the COSSAP TTA program supports BJA grantees and other local, tribal, and state stakeholders to build and sustain multidisciplinary criminal justice responses to illicit substance use and misuse.
Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions initiative
As announced in December 2022, BJA has placed 67 fellows in rural communities across the country to help combat the substance overdose epidemic that has hit rural communities particularly hard. The fellows selected for the Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions initiative reflect diverse disciplines and unique experiences, including law enforcement.
Additional BJA Programs
Resources
Mental Health Training: Strategies for Small and Rural Law Enforcement Agencies
This BJA-sponsored brief details strategies for small and rural law enforcement agencies to consider when planning regional training that prepares their officers to respond appropriately and effectively to people with mental health issues.
Programs That Support Law Enforcement
This fact sheet contains brief descriptions of BJA programs that have the purpose of supporting the efforts of law enforcement agencies through funding, training and technical assistance, and other methods.
Addressing Four OSW Pillars in Smaller and Rural Communities
This report captures information from an Officer Safety and Wellness (OSW) Group meeting, which focused on law enforcement safety and wellness challenges that are unique to small and rural law enforcement agencies.
Stay Connected with BJA
Connect with us through social media and email to stay informed about funding opportunities, events and speaking engagements, initiative announcements, resource releases, and more.