Tester Secures $4 Million To Support Law Enforcement, Improve Public Safety in Montana

Funding will improve public safety, reduce violent crime, and support law enforcement

As part of his continued efforts to improve public safety and support survivors in Montana, U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured $4,015,093 in funding to improve public safety, reduce violent crime, and support law enforcement in Montana. 

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester secured this funding as part of the 2024 government funding package.

“Montana’s law enforcement agencies, courts, and crime victim service providers work day in and day out to protect our communities, and we owe it to them to ensure they have the tools they need to continue doing their jobs well,” said Tester. “As we continue the fight to boost public safety in Montana, I’m proud to have secured this funding to strengthen our law enforcement and crack down on violent crime. I will always fight to ensure our law enforcement has the funding and resources they need to keep our families and communities safe, help get victims the justice they deserve, and hold criminals accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

The funding will be allocated as follows:

• $3,023,702 for the Montana Board of Crime Control
  • $1,123,798 for National Criminal History Improvement Program to improve Montana’ criminal records information
  • $223,194 for Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program to support localities, Tribes, and other service providers to combat substance abuse disorder for those in the criminal justice system
  • $411,304 for National Criminal History Improvement Program to improve Montana’ criminal history data systems and exchanges
  • $61,877 for John R. Justice Grant Program to support loan repayment for prosecutors and public defenders
  • $812,352 for State Crisis Intervention Program to implement crisis intervention programs
  • $294,969 for Forensic Science Improvement Grants to improve death investigations and increase testing and analysis related to opioids
  • $96,208 for Project Safe Neighborhoods Program to reduce violent crime by protecting the public from individuals causing violence, including meth traffickers and dealers and other violent offenders
• $991,391 for the Montana Department of Justice
  • $391,391 for Adam Walsh Act to reduce sexual offender non-compliance through the prosecutorial process
  • $600,000 for DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction to analyze evidence associated with criminal investigations

Tester is a tireless advocate for increasing funding for police and making sure Montana law enforcement officers have the resources they need to combat crime and drug trafficking. He recently voted to advance the Senate’s 2025 justice funding bill, which includes billions to support law enforcement and public safety priorities in Montana. Tester also previously introduced his ANTI Drugs Act. This bipartisan legislation would increase resources for three programs – High Intensity Drug Task Forces (HIDTA), Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and Operation Stonegarden – that law enforcement rely on to secure the border, stop drug trafficking, and keep communities safe.