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JACKSON – Copiah Lincoln Community College is among three South Mississippi recipients of federal grants aimed to strengthen law enforcement and public safety.

The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs has awarded three grants totaling more than $3 million for community projects that strengthen law enforcement and public safety in the Southern District of Mississippi, announced U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee.

Copiah-Lincoln Community College received $20,000 to fund training for new and existing law enforcement officers.

The University of Southern Mississippi received $3 million to implement a rural digital forensics initiative to address the digital forensics needs of rural communities, the provision of forensic services, and creation of social media educational tools to assist with line law enforcement officer training in digital forensic investigations.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center received $380,000 to enhance UMMC’s security infrastructure through comprehensive upgrades of its existing CCTV system.

The grants are part of the 2024 Office of Justice Programs Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants. The Byrne Grants are named in honor of New York City Police Officer Edward R. Byrne, who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 26, 1988. Officer Byrne was just 22 years old.

Additional information about the Office of Justice Programs can be found at www.ojp.gov.