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Amata Welcomes Over $1 Million for American Samoa Law Enforcement

June 8, 2020

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming the announcement of over $1 million in federal funds for American Samoa's law enforcement.

Specifically, the grant of $1,033,440 is directed through the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency. The funds are from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) led by Attorney General William Barr, as part of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS hiring program (CHP) fiscal year 2020.

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Amata with law enforcement officers

Amata with law enforcement officers (file photo)

"This is great news for our professional law enforcement community," said Aumua Amata. "The purpose of this federal program is hiring and keeping top-quality officers to serve the people. Congratulations upon this grant to Director Lesei'au T. Laumoli, and thank you to anyone at the Agency involved in this effort. Most of all, thank you to all our fine officers."

The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to states, territories, and local law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics.

In his national announcement, U.S. Attorney General Barr stated: "The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support. The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide. A law enforcement agency's most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities."

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