Headwaters SWAT team training and equipment enhancement project.

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).

The disparate jurisdictions consisting of the city of Bemidji and Beltrami County have applied jointly for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds in the amount of $10,083. The city of Bemidji will serve as the fiscal agent. The Headwaters Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Team is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement entity composed of eighteen officers from four law enforcement agencies in Northwestern Minnesota. The city of Bemidji Police Department and the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office account for the majority of the SWAT team members. The award will be utilized by the Bemidji Police Department in a collaborative effort with the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office to provide advance training and equipment to their members of the Headwaters SWAT team. Expenditures include tuition, supplies, lodging, salary, and travel. Less than 10 percent of the total grant ($1000) will be used by the city of Bemidji Finance Department and the Bemidji Police Department for reporting purposes.

NCA/NCF