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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2004

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $800,000 “COPS” GRANT FOR NYC'S JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Funds will support the New York Regional Community Policing Institute at John Jay

US Senator Charles E. Schumer – author of the 1994 Crime Bill – today announced that the John Jay College of Criminal Justice will receive $800,000 in federal funding from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. The money will be used to support the New York Regional Community Policing Institute (RCPI) at John Jay, which provides community policing training and technical assistance to both the New York law enforcement officers and civilian New Yorkers who work collaboratively with local law enforcement. Of the total $800,000, RCPI will get $500,000, with $250,000 being specified for RCPI Community Policing Through the Use of DNA Evidence, and another $50,000 for RCPI Counter-Terrorism Initiative.

“As we enter the fourth year of the war on terrorism, its vital that we ensure that our day to day crime fighting efforts continue," Schumer said. "These grants will help the New York law enforcement fulfill their mission to keeping our streets safe.”

The New York Regional Community Policing Institute at John Jay provides training and technical assistance to New York in all aspects of community policing. The training provided by the New York Regional Community Policing Institute at John Jay covers topics including urban community policing, cultural diversity, homeland security, community mobilization, conflict resolution, crime mapping and analysis, and violence prevention.

A partnership between John Jay College of Criminal Justice/CUNY, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the New York Police Department and the nonprofit Citizens Committee for New York City, Inc., John Jay's Regional Community Policing Institute engages police and the community (citizens, government, private organizations and businesses) together to reduce crime, maintain order and improve the quality of life throughout New York State. John Jay College of Criminal Justice of The City University of New York is a liberal arts college dedicated to education, research, and service in the fields of criminal justice, fire science, and related areas of public safety and public service.

"The funds come at the right time for New York,” said Schumer. “Since national concerns occupy so much of our local law enforcement's time nowadays, it's only appropriate that the federal government foot the bill to help them out. Every locality in New York has budget difficulties now, so this is a welcome shot in the arm."

Since 1997, when the Regional Community Policing Institutes were introduced, they have trained nearly 210,000 officers and citizens.

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