Office of Community Policing Services; Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested

ACTION:

60-day notice of information collection under review: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired; Department Annual Report.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Policing Services (COPS) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for “sixty days” until April 23, 2002. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

If you have comments especially on the estimated public burden or associated response time, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions or additional information, please contact Gretchen DePasquale, (202) 305-7780, Office of Community Policing Services, 1100 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be colllected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Overview of this information collection:

(1) Type of information collection: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired.

(2) The title of the form/collection: The title of the collection is the Department Annual Report.

(3) The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection: Office of Community Oriented Policing Service, U.S. Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: State, Local, or Tribal Government. Other: None. Progress Reports are survey instruments that the COPS Office uses to monitor the community policing activities for the Funding Accelerated for Small Towns, the Accelerated Hiring, Education and Development, and/or the Universal Hiring Grant Programs.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond/reply: The estimated number of agencies that are eligible to receive and complete the Department Annual report is 6,100. The estimated amount of time required for the average respondent to complete and return the form is 1 hour.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: An estimate of the total burden hours to conduct this survey is 6,100 hours.

If additional information is required contact: Brenda E. Dyer, Department Deputy Clearance Officer, Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, United States Department of Justice, Suite 1600, 601 D Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.