Aumua Announces $600k Law Enforcement Grant

Washington, D.C. –Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) has awarded $602,840 to the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency (ASCJPA) as part of the 2016 COPS Hiring Program (CHP).

“Our police officers and first responders are the backbone of a peaceful and productive society, and I am thankful that USDOJ recognizes the need to support and enhance local law enforcement,” stated Amata.

CHP is designed to advance public safety needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide by providing funding to hire and re-hire entry level career law enforcement officers. The funding will go towards providing salaries and fringe benefits for eight new or returning entry-level police officers for a total of three years.

“I would like to thank the officials at USDOJ for providing this important funding to hire more police officers here in American Samoa. I also want to thank Department of Public Safety Commissioner, Save Liuato Tuitele, and all those at ASCJPA for their service and dedication to keeping our island communities safe and secure,” concluded Amata.

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