For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, August 22, 2000

(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced $3,618,150 in federal funding to help 16 Native American organizations in Washington state hire a total of 22 new police officers to support community policing efforts. With a total of $2 million in officer funds and $1.6 million in equipment funds, the grant will allow the Yakama Nation Police Department to hire 12 new officers and the Tulalip Tribes of Washington to hire 4 new officers. Other recipients are listed below.

"I'm proud that so many Native American communities will be able to hire new officers with this funding. Community-oriented policing is making America safer, and I'm pleased that the tribes of our state are receiving these much needed resources," Murray said.

The grant is from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and is part of the Tribal Resources Grant Program 2000 (TRGP). Funding under the grant will allow law enforcement agencies to help pay 75 percent of the salary and benefits of each officer over three years, up to a maximum of $75,000. The local police department will contribute the rest. Murray supported the Crime Bill in 1994 that created the COPS program.

Yakama Nation Police Dept: $1,519,308 for 12 new officers and $331,800 for equipment

Tulalip Tribes of WA: $398,456 for 4 new officers and $109,991 for equipment

Chehalis Tribal Police Dept: $258,368 for 2 new officers and $65,439 for equipment

Puyallup Tribe of Indians: $207,122 for 2 new officers and $57,122 for equipment

Port Gamble S'Klallam Indian Tribe: $176,306 for 1 new officer and $51,924 for equipment

Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians: $189,174 for 1 new officer and $74,018 for equipment The grant also provides funding for equipment as follows:

Lummi Indian Business Council $175,528 Nisqually Indian Tribe $129,723 Swinomish Tribal Community $32,924 Skokomish Indian Nation $205,780 Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe $60,881 Kalispel Tribe of Indians $35,372 Lower Elwha Klallum Tribe PD $51,293 Suquamish Tribe $56,175 Confederated Tribes of Colville Natural Resources $83,340 La Push Police Department, Quileute Public Safety $38,400