CJPA may be liable to repay COPS funding used for truant officers

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Territorial Audit Office of American Samoa conducted a detailed audit of the Criminal Justice Planning Agency’s (CJPA) Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program and uncovered significant discrepancies in grant expenditures. The findings were documented in a comprehensive report dated April 14, 2026, endorsed by Mike Edmonds. This audit was initiated at the request of Governor Pulaali’i Nikoalo Pula, who expressed concerns about the appropriateness and allowability of costs charged to the COPS grant associated with the 2020 award. The audit report outlines three critical findings indicating that the CJPA may be liable to repay approximately $459,000 for failing to comply with specific requirements in the COPS grant agreement. Additionally, it highlights that CJPA staff have not fulfilled the necessary training obligations, which are vital for securing future COPS Awards. Moreover, the report emphasizes the need for substantial improvements in governance structures and internal controls within the organization. The auditors specifically identified that the CJPA allocated around $459,000 in COPS grant funds to employ 14 Truant Officers. This decision raised serious compliance concerns because the grant agreement requires hiring sworn law enforcement personnel or School Resource Officers (SROs), who have specialized law enforcement training. Truant Officers, in contrast, do not meet the training criteria required under the COPS grant. Furthermore, the CJPA failed to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Education, which is essential for clearly defining the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of all stakeholders involved in implementing the program. Adding to the complications, the CJPA did not seek or obtain necessary modifications from the Department of Justice to hire Truant Officers instead of the specified law enforcement officers, as outlined in the grant agreement. The hiring process for Truant Officers was conducted by the Department of Education rather than the mandated Department of Public Safety, further straying from the established protocols. Historically, the Department of Justice required the CJPA to reimburse over $758,000 in COPS grant funds for disallowed expenses associated with grants awarded in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Due to the American Samoan Government's (ASG) inability to return these funds, a two-year restriction was imposed on receiving any further COPS grants. To regain eligibility for future funding opportunities, the Department of Justice mandated that all CJPA staff responsible for administering the COPS grant successfully complete the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Financial Management Training online courses. This training must be completed before any reapplication for the COPS grant at the end of the two-year restriction period. As of February 3, 2026, only one of seven staff members involved in implementing COPS grants had completed the required training. This low compliance rate poses a significant risk to the agency's ability to secure future COPS grant funding. The auditors also noted that the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Board (Planning Board), which operates under the Governor's jurisdiction, was not functioning for an extended period prior to October 2025. This inactivity violates a critical requirement for receiving COPS grants, which requires an operational planning board to advise on criminal justice matters. In addition to these findings, the CJPA was found to be lacking a comprehensive written policy and procedures manual, which is essential for efficient governance. Furthermore, the absence of an updated organizational chart that accurately reflects the current reporting structure within the CJPA exacerbates the situation and underscores the need for systemic reform. The report concludes with seven actionable recommendations to address the identified findings. To ensure future compliance with the terms of COPS grants, the CJPA should, upon receipt of a grant award, thoroughly review the grant agreement and develop a detailed written summary of the key requirements. There is a need to put in place strong monitoring procedures to ensure all grant agreement terms are followed. The CJPA should also engage the Department of Justice to resolve the improper expenditure of $459,000 in COPS funds allocated to Truant Officers. To ensure full compliance with the Department of Justice's training requirements, the CJPA must notify its staff in writing of the need to complete the mandated training by a specified deadline, while closely monitoring their progress toward completion. Additionally, the CJPA should take proactive steps to ensure that the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Board operates efficiently. This involves collaborating with the Governor’s Office to identify suitable candidates for any vacant Planning Board positions as they arise. To address the lack of administrative structure, the CJPA should prioritize developing and implementing a comprehensive written policies and procedures manual. This manual should encompass essential elements such as record-keeping and retention requirements, ensuring the maintenance of all financial documentation, including general accounting ledgers, invoices, purchase orders, and payroll/time sheets, in alignment with grant conditions. Moreover, the manual should include guidelines for conducting self-assessments and internal reviews to identify potential issues, such as unallowable costs or slow spending, as well as procedures for preparing and submitting federal reimbursement requests and financial reports. Finally, the CJPA must update its organizational chart and submit the revised version to the Governor for formal approval to ensure clarity and transparency in its reporting structure. Section: Local News Tags: COPS Program funding
2026-05-13 17:09:24