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Gov. Beshear: More Than $2 Million Available To Assist State and Local Law Enforcement

Funding to improve criminal justice system, prevent and control crime, keep law enforcement officers safe

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 18, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson announced that applications will be available April 22 for state and local law enforcement to apply for more than $2 million in federal grant funding to purchase tools and resources that will not only allow them to protect Kentucky communities but ensure their own safety as they stand on the front lines each day.

“Kentucky's local and state law enforcement officers are among the best in the nation, and we are committed to keeping them safe and best equipping them to do their job," said Gov. Beshear. “This federal funding is one way we are able to keep our unpayable debt of gratitude to officers and their families while allowing them to create a better, safer Kentucky for all of us."

Based on population and crime rates, an anticipated $2 million in federal funds is expected to be allocated to Kentucky from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, the leading source of federal justice funding to agencies serving the criminal justice system. Funds can be used to hire additional personnel and/or purchase equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance and information systems.

Eligible to apply are state and local government agencies and nonprofit entities seeking critical funding necessary to support a wide range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention and education, corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, technology improvement, crime victim and witness initiatives, mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.

“Our law enforcement heroes deserve the best tools available to do their job safely, and through this federal funding, we can," Secretary Jackson said. “Our officers are worth all this and more, and we will always provide support to keep them safe."

JAG funds may be used to enforce state and local laws that establish offenses similar to those established in Title 21 of the U.S. Code. and/or to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, with emphasis on violent crime and serious offenders, by providing additional personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for the more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of persons who violate these laws and to assist the victims of such crimes (other than compensation).

Applications for federal fiscal year 2024 state solicitations are due by May 17 at 6 p.m. EDT, and awards are expected to be announced in September.

All applications must be submitted online via Intelligrants 10 (IGX), the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet's electronic grants management system. New applicants will be required to establish an account and become familiar with the system well in advance of the due date. Applicants should also note that validating a new user account requires 48 to 72 hours.

Assistance with the application process may be obtained by contacting Grants Management staff at JUSIGX@ky.gov.

For more information on the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, click here.

The Beshear-Coleman administration has taken several steps to support law enforcement while creating safer communities.

Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded nearly $10 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies with enhancing public and officer safety, curbing the sale of illegal drugs and fighting addiction. For a full list of 2023-24 JAG sub-award recipients, please visit the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet's website.

In July 2023, Gov. Beshear broke ground in Richmond on a new law enforcement training facility named in honor of Jody Cash, who lost his life in the line of duty May 16, 2022, while serving as chief deputy of the Calloway County Sheriff's Department. Members of the Cash family, as well as state and local officials and staff from the DOCJT, joined the Governor in taking a step forward to enhance the safety of Kentucky's nearly 8,000 peace officers who risk their lives every day to protect Kentucky families.

In June 2022, Gov. Beshear announced the Military to Law Enforcement Program (M-2-LE). M-2-LE allows local law enforcement agencies in Kentucky to hire active service members within all U.S. military branches during their last 180 days of service. Upon being contracted by a law enforcement agency, the military member will continue to receive their pay and benefits from the U.S. Military while they undergo law enforcement training at the Department of Criminal Justice Training.

Click here to review some of the additional actions the Beshear-Coleman administration has taken to support law enforcement, increase public safety and support crime victims.