Van Hollen Awards $692,200 in Tribal Law Enforcement Grants

MADISON -  Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen today announced the awarding of $692,200 in state Tribal Law Enforcement Grants to ten tribal programs statewide.  The grant program is designed to assist with the unique law enforcement challenges on Native American lands in Wisconsin. 

"This grant program has helped tribes enhance law enforcement efforts on tribal lands," said Van Hollen.   "This funding will assist Native American communities in reducing gang, drug and violent crime on tribal lands." 

The grant program funds a variety of law enforcement services to Native American communities across Wisconsin.  Grants have been used for the costs of law enforcement personnel, patrol, investigation, body armor and uniforms, crime prevention, and information technology.  Awards have also funded law enforcement training, communications equipment, armories, community programs and emergency/rescue equipment.  A majority of the grants fund tribal police department personnel costs.   

Grant awards are allocated using a formula consisting of three criteria:  Native American population; county crime rate; and tribal unemployment rate.  This year's funding of ten programs represents the largest number of tribal plans funded in the five years that the Wisconsin Department of Justice has administered the program. 

For a list of all programs receiving Calendar Year 2010 awards, please go to: