The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has introduced two grant opportunities to assist law enforcement agencies in enhancing their capacity for DUI/DUID enforcement, education, and prevention. These grants are aimed at large-sized law enforcement organizations/agencies and small to mid-sized law enforcement organizations/agencies. The performance period for both grants spans one year, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
The purpose of the grants is to provide funding for activities that support the enforcement of traffic laws pertaining to driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs. Eligible activities include training programs, public education campaigns, prevention strategies, and direct law enforcement efforts such as issuing citations, responding to incidents, and making arrests. These initiatives are intended to reduce DUI/DUID incidents and enhance traffic safety across California.
Large-size law enforcement organizations/agencies are defined as those with 500 or more employees whose primary responsibilities include enforcing traffic laws as outlined in the California Penal Code, Vehicle Code, and Health and Safety Code. Small and mid-size law enforcement agencies are categorized based on their employee count, with small agencies having 100 or fewer employees and mid-size agencies having 500 or fewer employees. These distinctions ensure that grants are tailored to meet the specific needs and operational scopes of agencies of varying sizes.
Funding provided through these grants can be utilized to develop and implement a variety of programs and strategies. This includes officer training on DUI/DUID detection and enforcement, public outreach to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving, and prevention activities designed to deter potential offenders. Additionally, agencies may use funds to enhance their operational capabilities, such as upgrading equipment or adopting new enforcement technologies.
Eligible applicants must be law enforcement organizations or agencies whose primary function involves traffic law enforcement and related activities. Agencies should demonstrate their ability to effectively use the grant funds to achieve measurable improvements in DUI/DUID enforcement and prevention efforts. Applicants will need to outline their specific project plans, goals, and expected outcomes in their proposals to be considered for funding.
The selection criteria for these grants will likely include the alignment of proposed projects with the grant objectives, the potential impact on traffic safety, and the feasibility of implementation within the one-year performance period. Detailed requirements for submission, including necessary documentation and application questions, are available in the Request for Applications (RFA) document. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the RFA to ensure they meet all eligibility and submission guidelines.
Both grant opportunities operate on a one-year performance cycle, with the timeline from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Agencies interested in applying should carefully plan their initiatives to align with this period and review the RFA for deadlines and additional information to ensure timely and accurate submission of their applications.
