Digital evidence gathered from phones, computers, and other electronic devices is vital to many criminal investigations in the modern age.
To fully gather and use this evidence in court and as evidence, law enforcement agencies need the proper equipment. Many times, this equipment is expensive, not readily available for use when needed, and do not fit into government department’s budgets.
This need has led to numerous organizations seeing the need for this technology and developing grants for law enforcement agencies to apply for these grants in order to obtain the equipment they need.
There are federal, state, and private grants available
for law enforcement agencies to obtain these valuable tools.
Here are a few available grants.
Federal
The Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (the Coverdell Program) supplies grants to local government to help improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services. The funding can support personnel, computer hardware and software costs, training, laboratory equipment, supplies and accreditation. Reach out to your State Administering Agency (SAA) to inquire if formula grant funding may be available to support your needs, or apply directly to the U.S. Department of Justice. Grants are available yearly.
If your agency is located in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, consider applying for the Gulf States Regional Law Enforcement Technology Initiative Grant. These grants will be awarded to law enforcement projects in these five states that focus on the gathering, analysis and dissemination of information critical to investigating, reporting and responding to crimes and suspicious activity in communities.
Are your agency’s officers or investigators assigned to specialized task forces targeting areas such as human trafficking, gangs and guns, internet crimes against children or anti-drugs? Many of the federal grants that support these task forces within and across states encourage applicants to include investigative/analytical technology into their budget request.
The Department of Justice annually offers competitive grants to support multi-disciplinary task forces to combat human trafficking. Grant amounts average $850,000.
Other federal grant opportunities include:
- Project Safe Neighborhoods
- Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program
- COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP)
State
Many state agencies offer grant opportunities to local law enforcement to target pressing needs within their jurisdiction. Check with your state criminal justice agency or state attorney’s office and inquire what grants may be available.Your state’s banking and insurance regulatory agencies may have funding available to support the investigative and analytical work required to detect fraud.
Private
Many private companies, corporations, and individuals offer criminal justice grants that can be used for the purchase of equipment for processing digital evidence.
Grocery stores like Aldi and Safewayt provide grants aimed at keeping communities safe. Big box stores such as Target, Walmart and Sam’s Club offer grants to support public safety and community well-being. Reach out to the larger banks in your area and inquire about their corporate giving programs. Mobile carriers like AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile may be able to assist as well.
Law enforcement trade associations including The Spirit of Blue Foundation have grants available to support your equipment and training needs.
The Foundation Center is also a great source for finding what community foundation(s) represent your area.
Source: Police One
