2009 Edward Byrne Menorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local governments, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

Blackfeet tribe will use their Local JAG award for law enforcement equipment and training. The JAG funds will be used to purchase radars, radar batteries, breath alcohol testers, in-car video cameras, iForce horns, training supplies, and technical assistance training for the DPS police officers, DPS support specialists, and DPS administrative assistants. The department dispatchers will use the iForce horn to send signals to the officers, keep the status of all on-duty officers, and keep records for all calls dispatched. The radars will be used to control traffic on the reservations. The in-car cameras will be used to discourage misconduct by both police officers and the public knowing that their actions are being recorded. The training will provide the guidelines for writing effective reports and establishing probable cause.

NCA/NCF