Program Requirements

The following requirements must be met prior to the obligation of LLEBG Program funds and prior to the Request for Drawdown (RFD) of funds. The RFD must be completed within 90 days of the posting of awards, or the funds will be redistributed in the following fiscal year.

Advisory Board. Each jurisdiction must establish or designate an advisory board to review the application. The board must be designated to make nonbinding recommendations for the proposed use of funds received under this program. The advisory board must include a member from each of the following local organizations: law enforcement agency, prosecutor’s office, court system, school system, and a nonprofit group (e.g., educational, religious, community) active in crime prevention or drug-use prevention or treatment.

Public Hearing. Each jurisdiction must hold at least one public hearing regarding the proposed use of funds prior to the obligation of funds. Jurisdictions should encourage public attendance and participation.

Matching Funds. In each jurisdiction, LLEBG funds may not exceed 90 percent of total program costs. Program participation requires a cash match that will not be waived. All recipients must maintain records clearly showing the source, amount, and timing of all matching contributions.

Trust Fund. Each jurisdiction must establish a trust fund that may accrue interest in which to deposit program funds.

Expenditure Period. All federal funds, including interest, revenue, dividend, and match, must be spent within the 2-year expenditure period. Unspent funds must be returned to BJA within 90 days of program termination.

Public Safety Officers’ Health Benefits Provision. Section 615 of the FY 2002 Appropriations Act requires a unit of local government to afford a public safety officer who retires or is separated from duty due to a personal line-of-duty injury, suffered as a direct and proximate result of responding to a hot pursuit or an emergency situation, health benefits at the time of separation that are the same as or better than those he or she received while on duty.

To be eligible to receive the entire amount of award under the LLEBG Program, a unit of local government must be in compliance with this provision. If not in compliance, the unit will forfeit 10 percent of the eligible amount. Further information about this provision is provided on the LLEBG Internet-based application system.

Prohibition on Use of Funds

LLEBG funds are not to be used to purchase, lease, rent, or acquire tanks or armored vehicles, fixed-wing aircraft, limousines, real estate, yachts, or any vehicle not used primarily for law enforcement. Nor are funds to be used to retain individual consultants or construct new facilities. Likewise, federal funds are not to be used to supplant state or local funds. Rather, they are to be used to increase the amount of funds that would otherwise be available from state and local sources.