The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) was established under the authority of the Attorney General to implement Title I of the "crime bill," the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994 (the Act). The Act authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, units of local government, Indian tribal governments, other public and private entities, and multi-jurisdictional or regional consortia thereof to increase police presence, to expand and improve cooperative efforts between law enforcement agencies and members of the community, to address crime and disorder problems, and otherwise to enhance public safety. The COPS Application Package includes all of the necessary forms and instructions that an applicant needs to review and complete to apply for COPS grant funding. The package is used as a standard template for all COPS programs. The Application Guide includes instructions and program information which describe the administrative and legal requirements governing COPS Office funding. The application forms and budget detail worksheets outline the applicants funding request and the applicant's commitment to community policing. The forms collect all the necessary data to make funding decisions. The COPS Office is also required to use the SF-424. The SF-424 does not include all of the necessary and statutorily required data elements for applicant review. Thus, the additional COPS application forms collect critical data elements that are necessary for COPS to properly review applications for funding.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.