Tarleton State University will be able to advance its crime-fighting capabilities as the recipient of a $1.5 million grant, Congressman John Carter (R-TX) announced today.

The U.S. Department of Justice awarded the grant to help improve the criminal justice system, prevent and combat juvenile delinquency, and help victims of crime.

"This grant not only will help fight crime and protect citizens, but it will help educate and train our college students," Carter said. "The grant will improve the scope of criminal databases and access by the general public."

With the grant, Tarleton State will provide law enforcement agencies in 75 Texas counties with access and information sharing on criminal databases. Tarleton State will provide the database and training at no cost, and will provide financial assistance for agencies that cannot afford the records management systems.

Services will also be expanded to help make the court systems more efficient and to increase public access to offender information.

Tarleton State offers Bachelors and Masters degrees in criminal justice. The grant is part of the Congressionally Selected Awards Program in the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009.