Rogers Announces DOJ Funding for Rural Law Enforcement Tech Center

Press Release

Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) announced today that the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) will award a $3 million grant to the Rural Law Enforcement Technology Center (RULETC) located at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky.

A specialty center within the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center System, RULETC is solely focused on supporting the 12,800 small and rural law enforcement agencies around the country which operate with 10 or fewer employees. Funding will enable RULETC to continue to provide such agencies with resources and strategies to enhance and streamline their operations for maximum efficiency.

"Law enforcement and corrections officers in rural areas face unique challenges in their mission to uphold the law and perform public safety. RULETC has proven to be an invaluable resource for police and first responders in our region and throughout the country toward finding innovative and cost-effective solutions," stated Rogers. "Cutting edge training techniques and information-sharing have allowed small police stations to operate with the same efficiency and effectiveness as larger units in urban areas. These funds will help RULETC fulfill its important mission to ensure that rural communities have access to the best available law enforcement instruction and proper tools."

RULETC will focus its efforts in the coming months on the development of its Law Enforcement Aviation Program Pilot, which reduces the initial costs and ongoing operational expenses of aviations technology by allowing consortiums of rural agencies to share aircrafts. In addition, RULETC plans to expand its popular Firearm Simulator and Drug Sensor Programs. In conjunction with these projects, RULETC will continue its extensive outreach efforts by hosting technology seminars and demonstrations and broadening its nationwide network of criminal justice subject-matter experts, engineers, academia and scientists. For more information on RULETC, call 606-436-8848 or visit www.nlectc.org/ruletc.

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