Law Enforcement Assistance Act of 1965

An Act To provide assistance in training State and local law enforcement officers and other personnel, and in improving capabilities, techniques, and practices in State and local law enforcement and prevention and control of crime, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Law Enforcement Assistance Act of 1965."

Sec. 2. For the purpose of improving the quality of State and local laww enforcement and correctional personnel, and personnel employed or preparing for employment in programs for the prevention or control of crime, the Attorney General is authorized to make grants to, or to contract with, any public or private nonprofit agancy, organization or institution for the establishment (or, where established, the improvement or enlargement) of programs and facilities to provide professional training and related education to such personnel.

Sec. 3. For the purpose of improving the capabilities, techniques, and practices of State and local agencies engaged in law enforcement, the administration of the criminal laws, the correction of offenders or the prevention or control of crime, the Attorney General is authorized to make grants to, or contract with, any public or private nonprofit agency, organization, or institution for projects designed to promote such purposes, including, but not limited to, projects designed to develop or demonstrate effective methods for increasing the security of person and property, controlling the incidence of lawlessness, and promoting respect for law.

Sec. 4. The Attorney General may arrange with and reimburse the heads of other Federal departments or agencies for the performance of any of his functions under this Act, and, as necessary or appropriate, delegate any of his powers under this Act with respect to any program or part thereof, and authorize the redelegation of such powers.

Sec. 5. (a) The Attorney General or his delegate shall require, wherever feasible, as a condition of approval of a grant under this Act, that the recipient contribute money, facilities, or services for carrying out the project for which such grant is sought. The amount of such contribution shall be determined by the Attorney General or his delegate.

(b) The Attorney General is authorized to prescribe regulations establishing criteria pursuant to which grants may be reduced for such programs, facilities, or projects as have received assistance under section 2 or 3 for a period Drescribeid in such regulations.

(c) Payments under section 2 or section 3 may be made in installments, and in advance or by way of reimbursement, as may be determined by the Attorney General or his delegate, and shall be made on such conditions as he finds necessary to carry out the purpose of section 2 or section 3, as the case may be.

(d) Payments under section 2 may include such sums for stipends and allowances including travel and subsistence expenses) for trainees as are found necessary by the Attorney General or his delegate.

Sec. 6. (a) The Attorney General is authorized to make studies with respect to matters relating to law enforcement organization, techniques and practices, or the prevention or control of crime, including the effectiveness of projects or programs carried out under this Act, and to cooperate with and render technical assistance to State, local or other public or private agencies, organizations, and institutions in such matters.

(b) The Attorney General is authoriajed to collect, evaluate, publish, and disseminate information and materials relating to studies conducted under this Act, and other matters relating to law enforcement organization, techniques and practices, or the prevention or control of crime, for the benefit of the general public or of agencies and personnel engaged in programs concerning these subjects, as may be appropriate.

Sec. 7. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to authorize any department, agency, officer or employee of the United States to exercise any direction, supervision or control over the organization, administration or personnel of any State or local police force or other law enforcement agency.

Sec 8. (a)(1) The Attorney General is authorized to appoint such technical or other advisory committees to advise him in connection with the administration of this Act as he deems necessary.

     (2) Members of any such committee not otherwise in the employ of the United States, while attending meetings of their committee, shall be entitled to receive compensation at a rate to be fixed by the Attorney General, but not exceeding $50 per diem, including traveltime, and while away from their homes or regular places of business they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 73b-2) for persons in the Government service employed intermittently.

(b) As used in this Act, the term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

Sec. 9. The Attorney General shall carry out the programs provided for in this Act during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966, and the two succeeding fiscal years.

Sec. 10. For the purpose of carrying out this Act, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated the sum of $10,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966; and for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1967, and the fiscal year ending June 30, 1968, such sums as the Congress may hereafter authorize.

Sec. 11. On or before April 1, 1966, and each year thereafter, the Attorney General shall report to the President and to the Congress on his activities pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

Approved September 22, 1965.