The Chickasaw Nation 2009 SMART Grant

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (AWA) (Pub. L. 109-248, 42 U.S.C. § 16901, et seq) authorizes the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) to administer sex offender management grants. These grants assist state, local and tribal jurisdictions in implementing and/or enhancing sex offender registration and notification programs that support compliance with Title I of the AWA, known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). SORNA was enacted to protect the public from convicted sex offenders and offenders against children by establishing a comprehensive national system for the registration of those offenders.

Grant funds will support the development of a sex offender registry for the Chickasaw Nation. The Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department (LPD), with input from key stakeholders, will develop policies and procedures for the sex offender registry process. In addition, an electronic finger/palm printing system will be purchased and installed. This system will be deployed in the northern and southern region of the Chickasaw Nation as well as at the LPD headquarters in Ada, Oklahoma.

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