The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office)'s mission is to advance the practice of community policing by state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources. This mission is aligned with its role within the U.S. Department of Justice to support law enforcement agencies in building stronger community relationships and enhancing public safety.
The COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) is designed to provide funding directly to states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and their public agencies for improving security at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based school safety programs. The SVPP supports various measures to enhance school security, including the coordination with local law enforcement, training for officers on preventing student violence, the implementation of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrents, the acquisition and installation of technology for expedited notification of law enforcement during emergencies, and any other measures that may significantly improve security as determined by the COPS Office Director. This program seeks to advance work that promotes civil rights and equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. Funding and specific projects are authorized under the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018, subject to the availability of appropriated funds and potential modifications or additional requirements imposed by law.