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Smartphones are introducing a new paradigm to policing, allowing officers to maintain full connectivity regardless of their access to a vehicle. In short, a “connected” officer is an effective officer due to better information access, increased situational awareness and the sheer utility that only a smartphone can offer. Properly applied smartphone technology can improve departmental efficiency and even power an in-vehicle computing experience, eliminating the need for laptops.
Technology comes with a price, however, and funding a program — even one that will ultimately result in savings — can be a challenge due to startup costs. That’s where grant funding can help an agency obtain tech capabilities that would otherwise be unavailable.
There are several federal grant programs that provide assistance to agencies, making it possible to start new programs and expand existing capabilities. The amount of funding available and specific program details differ each year based on budgets and program emphasis. Many grants are dependent on certain criteria, such as proximity to an international border or urban region designated as having homeland security risk. Since different federal departments and agencies are involved, grant announcements take place at different times and sometimes are open for a relatively short period. For instance, 2018 FEMA grants for emergency communications equipment — including handheld broadband devices — were only open from May 21 to June 20.
It’s important to know the timing of a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) because it often signals the start of the application period. The best way to stay abreast of funding opportunities is to follow the federal grant clearinghouse, Grants.gov, which posts information on all federal grant notices and functions as the application portal for many federal grants. Agencies should sign up for email alerts on grant opportunities through Grants.gov and also review the funding resources listed in the “Emergency Communications Financial Assistance Programs Guide” for notification links tied to different programs. Another good source of information is the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, which publishes biweekly and weekly resources with information on grant solicitation releases and funding-related webinars. Both are available at no cost.
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For some federal grants, eligible agencies can apply directly. For many other programs, applications for funding assistance must come from the state on behalf of the agencies. In these cases, agencies must submit a proposal through a state administrative agency (SAA). The SAA, in conjunction with other state officials, decides whether the project request will be included in the overall state grant application. The SAA process is becoming increasingly common, as federal authorities allow states to determine the priorities for their allocated funding. It is important that agencies develop a relationship with their SAA and understand the different grant opportunities and processes used within their state. A good place to start is the listing of SAA contacts maintained by FEMA.
FEMA, working through the Department of Homeland Security, oversees multiple grant programs that provide support to state, local, tribal and territorial public safety efforts. Funding is available for equipment acquisition, training and even staffing. The majority of FEMA funding is channeled through SAAs, underscoring the need for agencies to understand the submission and review processes specific to their states. FEMA-administered programs include:
For agencies that are planning or considering a transition to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), several of the above FEMA programs can provide support. However, FEMA requires that communication projects move through the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator and strongly recommends coordination with the FirstNet State Single Point of Contact.
The U.S. Department of Justice administers the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, commonly known as Byrne or JAG grants. This program is the leading source of federal funding for state and local criminal justice agencies. It supports a range of program areas including technology acquisition and expansion. A large portion of Byrne grants are administered by states, but there is also funding that is individually awarded through a federal process. Individual offerings can be found on Grants.gov. For information on how your state plans to distribute Byrne Grant funding, contact the administering state agency.
The opportunity for agencies to use technology effectively as a force multiplier has never been greater, and grant funding can help to make it possible. The process of obtaining a grant can seem daunting, but agencies should not be deterred from seeking assistance for worthwhile projects. Utilize the online resources provided in this article and you’ll be well on your way.
For assistance in planning a mobile-first initiative at your agency, check out The Ultimate Law Enforcement Agency Guide to Going Mobile.