Collins, King Announce Nearly $100,000 in Department of Justice Funding for Penobscot Indian Nation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Penobscot Indian Nation will receive $99,000 in grant funding from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to support tribal law enforcement efforts. 

“Communities across Maine rely on local law enforcement to help keep them safe, and federal investments can play an important role in assisting those community efforts,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This grant funding from the Department of Justice will allow the Penobscot Indian Nation to support local policing efforts to protect families and promote public safety.”  

The grant is being awarded as part of the Department of Justice’s Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Grant Program, which allows federally recognized tribal organizations to submit a single application for most of DOJ’s tribal grant programs. This funding for the Penobscot Indian Nation comes specifically through the DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

Under CTAS, the COPS Office works to meet the most serious needs of tribal law enforcement. The COPS funding can be used to hire or re-hire law enforcement officials, procure equipment, or support training to initiate or enhance local community policing efforts.