Rural Crime Investigative Unit

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) solicits applications for initiatives which assist law enforcement in rural states and rural areas. The program helps rural states and rural areas to prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs.

The Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Program, administered by BJA, helps rural states and rural areas prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs. In addition, priority consideration will be given to local law enforcement agencies in rural areas where the unit of local government is not eligible to receive a direct allocation from the Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program or received a direct allocation that was $50,000 or less. Applicants were invited to submit a proposal under any one of the following categories to: (1) combat rural crime; (2) improve rural law enforcement investigations; (3) enhance rural detention and jail operations; (4) facilitate rural justice information sharing; or (5) develop a national training and technical assistance program.

Under Category 1, the Missouri State Highway Patrol will use the award to develop and support a Rural Crimes Task Force, consisting of 10 criminal investigators, two criminal analysts, and part-time clerical assistance. The task force will focus on an integrated effort in rural areas to prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime. Grant funds will purchase equipment and supplies for investigators to perform their duties. Overtime funds are requested to enable participating rural law enforcement officers to assist in gathering criminal information and enforcing state statutes regarding rural crimes. According to the 2007 Census survey, 97 of the 114 counties in Missouri are not located within a metropolitan statistical area. These investigators will be tasked with coordinating criminal investigations in rural areas with local police, sheriff, and prosecutorial personnel. They will facilitate quarterly meetings of stakeholders, including citizens, which will have a positive effect on combating crime. Investigators will facilitate formation of specialized operations to address specific criminal activity (grain, livestock, farm implement, metal theft, etc.). Analysts will compile, review, analyze, and disseminate information and intelligence related to rural crimes.

CA/CF