FY 2022 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program | O COPS 2022 171223

FY 2022 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program: FAQs

What is the FY 2022 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program?

The FY 2022 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program is a competitive discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). It is intended to strengthen statewide law enforcement capacity to respond to heroin and opioid abuse by improving investigations and establishing, expanding, or enhancing multijurisdictional task forces.

Who is the awarding agency for this grant?

The awarding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).

What is the COPS Office?

The COPS Office is the DOJ component focused on advancing community policing nationwide. It provides grant funding and practical information resources for law enforcement agencies, and it publishes guidance and tools on topics such as violent crime, school safety, officer wellness, and related community policing practices through its website at cops.usdoj.gov.

What is the legal authority for the AHTF program?

The program is authorized under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Title I, Part Q; 34 U.S.C. 10381 et seq.). Under this authority, the Attorney General uses appropriated funds to make competitive grants to state law enforcement agencies in states with high per capita rates of primary treatment admissions.

What problem is this program meant to address?

The AHTF program is focused on heroin and opioid-related illicit activity, particularly investigations connected to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil, as well as the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids. The program emphasizes statewide collaboration to address opioid trafficking and related criminal networks.

What types of activities does the AHTF program support?

The program supports activities that strengthen statewide investigative capacity and task force operations, including establishing, expanding, or enhancing multijurisdictional task forces and improving investigative effectiveness through coordinated statewide approaches.

What can grant funds be used for?

Based on the opportunity description, funding can be used to add or support personnel (including sworn law enforcement, civilian staff, and task force personnel), provide training, and acquire equipment that helps task forces operate more effectively. The program also supports efforts to improve analytic capabilities and intelligence development for more strategic investigations.

Does this program support multijurisdictional task forces?

Yes. A central purpose of the program is to establish, expand, or enhance multijurisdictional task forces and enable state-level agencies to work across jurisdictional boundaries with other participating agencies and partners.

What does "statewide collaboration" mean in this program context?

The opportunity emphasizes a coordinated statewide approach where state-level agencies collaborate across jurisdictions, broaden the range and number of participating agencies, and improve information sharing and intelligence to target opioid trafficking and related criminal networks.

How does the program expect task force operations to change with funding?

The opportunity anticipates that funding will increase the number of hours devoted to statewide task force operations, expand participation among agencies, and improve analytic and intelligence capabilities, which in turn should improve investigative volume, quality, and outcomes.

What outcomes does the AHTF program aim to achieve?

The opportunity lists anticipated outcomes including stronger collaboration with federal agencies; more frequent and higher-quality analytical reporting; improved information sharing among participating agencies; increases in the number and efficiency of investigations; and a higher proportion of investigations leading to arrests, referrals, prosecutions, and convictions.

Does the program address fentanyl and carfentanil as well as heroin?

Yes. The statutory purpose includes investigating illicit activities related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil, and also the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.

Are prescription opioid distribution cases included under this program?

Yes. The program scope includes the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids in addition to heroin and other opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil.

Does the program emphasize analytical capabilities and intelligence?

Yes. The opportunity specifically notes improving analytic capabilities so task forces can develop better intelligence and conduct more strategic investigations, as well as producing more frequent and higher-quality analytical reporting.

Is community policing part of this grant program?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes the use of community policing principles and aligns with the COPS Office mission to build trust and legitimacy while addressing serious crime problems, including opioid distribution networks.

What other public safety or community impacts are anticipated?

In addition to investigative and prosecution-related outcomes, the opportunity notes expected results such as identifying more drug-endangered children and increasing both the number and scale of drug seizures, reflecting a focus on disrupting supply chains and protecting vulnerable individuals affected by drug activity.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is primarily aimed at state governments, specifically state law enforcement agencies in qualifying states. Qualifying states are described as those with high per capita rates of primary treatment admissions.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What is the activity category and CFDA number for this program?

The activity category is law, justice, and legal services, and the CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 16.710.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for FY 2022?

For FY 2022, the notice lists an award ceiling of $4,000,000.

How many awards does the program anticipate making?

The opportunity anticipates making about 15 awards.

When was the opportunity posted and what was the application closing date?

The opportunity was posted on April 1, 2022, and the original application closing date was May 25, 2022.

What DOJ/COPS Office priorities should proposed projects align with?

The opportunity notes departmental priorities that applicants are expected to align with, including promoting civil rights and racial equity, increasing access to justice, supporting crime victims and others impacted by the justice system, strengthening community safety against evolving threats, and building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

How do civil rights, equity, and trust relate to an enforcement-focused task force program?

The opportunity frames successful projects as those that pursue opioid distribution investigations while reinforcing lawful, equitable policing and community confidence. It signals that projects should incorporate community policing principles and align with broader DOJ priorities around civil rights, racial equity, access to justice, and trust-building.

Does the program encourage collaboration with federal agencies?

Yes. One of the anticipated outcomes is stronger collaboration with federal agencies, alongside improved information sharing among participating agencies.