03-197. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested.

ACTION:

60-day notice of information collection under review: extension of a currently approved collection department initial report.

The Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget 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 March 7, 2003. 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, Office of Community Oriented 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 agency's 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 collected; 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: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Department Initial Report (DIR).

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: There is no agency form number. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is sponsoring this information collection.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Recipients of the Funding Accelerated for Small Towns (FAST) program, the Accelerated Hiring, Education and Deployment (AHEAD) program, and/or Universal Hiring Program (UHP) grants. Other: Applicants of the current hiring grant program, UHP, or interested parties. Abstract: The DIR is a collection instrument that the COPS Office uses to establish a baseline to evaluate the progress of agencies awarded grants under the FAST, AHEAD, and UHP grant programs.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: The DIR will be sent to approximately 500 grantees per year. The estimated amount of time required for the average respondent to complete and return the form is 1.5 hours.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: There are 875 estimated burden hours associated with this collection.

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

Dated: December 31, 2002.

Brenda Dyer,

Deputy Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.