Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, announced today that more than $10.8 million has been awarded to bolster law enforcement in communities across Mississippi through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hyde-Smith advanced FY2024 COPS funding to support these grant awards. The funds will be used to enhance public safety through technology and training, improve school security, and support the hiring of entry-level law enforcement officers.

"The safety of our communities requires constant vigilance and the ability to adopt new technologies and equipment to protect the public. These Justice Department COPS grants will help cities, counties, and school districts in our state address some of the law enforcement challenges they face every day," said Hyde-Smith. "Many of these grant programs are competitive and I commend these Mississippi groups for submitting successful applications."

The approved FY2024 COPS grants for Mississippi include:

2024 COPS Office Technology and Equipment Program (TEP) Awards ($6,831,000)

- Clay County – $175,000

- City of Coldwater – $52,000

- George County – $1,100,000

- Itawamba County – $119,000

- Lee County – $205,000

- Mississippi Department of Public Safety – $2,021,000

- Mississippi Department of Public Safety – $1,237,000

- City of Oxford – $200,000

- Pearl River County – $1,141,000

- City of Tupelo – $191,000

- Union County – $390,000

2024 COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) Awards ($2,549,932)

- Brookhaven School District – $318,750

- Leland School District – $225,000

- Monroe County School District – $324,376

- Neshoba County School District – $308,309

- Nettleton School District – $375,000

- South Pike School District – $498,750

- Tunica County School District – $499747

2024 COPS Hiring Program (CHP) Awards ($846885)

- Lamar County - 500k (4 officers)

- Montgomery Country - 96k (1 officer)

- Perry Country - 250k (2 officers)

2024 COPS Office Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Awards:

- Mississippi Band Of Choctaw Indians: 261k

2024 Law Enforcement Mental Health And Wellness Act Implementation Projects:

City Of Vicksburg: 200k

Community Policing Development Program:

Mississippi Department Of Public Safety:145K

In July Hyde Smith supported committee passage Commerce Justice Science Appropriations Bill continue support awaiting consideration by full Senate.

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