Free Money for Law Enforcement Technology Purchases via Paul Coverdell Grant

Don’t miss out on free money for law enforcement. There are funds provided by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) that may be used to eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic evidence and to train and employ forensic laboratory personnel, as needed, to eliminate such a backlog. (Be aware that in fiscal 2020, all state and local forensic capacity enhancement programs previously administered by National Institute of Justice, including this program, moved to the BJA.)

The money — which is available through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvements Grant — may be used to purchase forensic laboratory or medical examiner/coroner office equipment and instrumentation, including narcotics identification technolgy for law enforcement, like handheld narcotics analyzers and FTIR/Raman handheld analyzers.

There are two programs for which State Administering Agencies may apply for both formula and competitive funds. Units of local government may apply for competitive funds:

Grant applications are due by 11:49 p.m. ET on June 19, 2020. But it you miss this year, start planning for next year.

Paul Coverdell was an influential US Senator from Georgia, who died in July of 2000. According to his memorial address,

“Senator Coverdell believed that our freedom is under attack by the international drug Mafia who pollute and corrupt our children with drugs. As the most recent former Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over international narcotics and terrorism, he led the fight against drugs, winning increased funding for enhanced law enforcement efforts along U.S. borders. At home, he initiated Operation Drug-Free Georgia, which represents one of the best examples of effective cooperation among parents, teachers, students, and their communities in the Nation.”

In October of 2000, the US. Senate passed an amendment, which became public law (No: 106-561), known as the Paul Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act of 2000. This law “amended the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the use of drug control and system improvement (Byrne) grants to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science services for criminal justice purposes.”

If Coverdell were alive today, I’d guess he would be thrilled to see that police departments all over the country (and the world), are investing in the latest technology to identify dangerous drugs in the field and protect officers. With handheld drug detectors narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens and analgesics are easily identified using lab-proven Raman spectroscopy. These handheld narcotics analyzers offer a presumptive test that is more accurate and reliable than colorimetric drug tests, providing law enforcement officials a quicker and safer method to identify suspected narcotics in the field and help keep drugs, and drug dealers, off the streets.

I’m sure he would also be pleased that there was technology now available for threat identification for customs and border protection so officials can detect and deter dangerous substances before they reach the public. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) organizations need these advanced tools to help guard against illegal and potentially harmful items, such as illegal narcotics and new synthetic drugs, from reaching beyond borders.

And now there are grants available to help purchase them through Coverdell’s name. Take advantage and apply. (And if you need free assistance with preparing your grant proposal, please complete this form.)

NOTE: This year’s Grant applications are due by 11:49 p.m. ET on June 19, 2020.