WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the Hagerstown Police Department will receive a $625,000 grant to hire five new police officers through the Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program (CHP). As Chairwoman of the Senate Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski puts funds in the federal checkbook for important Department of Justice local law enforcement grants, including CHP.
“This federal funding gets cops on the beat and puts veterans on the job,” Senator Mikulski said. “More cops make neighborhoods safer by helping to reduce crime. Jobs for veterans makes our economy stronger and makes sure promises made are promises kept. Because I believe when men and women return from the front lines, they shouldn’t have to stand in line for a job. I will continue to do all I can to make our neighborhoods safer and help our veterans with jobs.”
“Improving public safety and honoring the individuals who fight to maintain the security of our country is a top priority for me,” Senator Cardin said. “As the Hagerstown community continues to grow, so does its need for more police officers, and these federal dollars for the COPS Hiring Program will help improve public safety and will give veterans a real opportunity for employment.”
The Hagerstown Police Department was awarded $625,000 to hire five new police officers. These funds are part of $111 million in Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program grants announced today. The funds will be used to hire 800 officers nationwide.
“This is clearly a win/win situation for the community, which will now benefit from five unfunded police officer vacancies being filled, and for our veterans, many of whom are returning from hazardous overseas missions to an uncertain job situation in this economy,” said Arthur Smith, Chief of the Hagerstown Police Department.
COPS Hiring Program grants go directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire career law enforcement officers as well as military veterans. The grants provide 100 percent funding for approved entry-level salaries and benefits for three years for newly hired, full-time sworn officer positions and for rehired officers who have been laid off as a result of local budget cuts. The jobs created, preserved, or refilled with CHP dollars will advance community policing at the local level, and contribute greatly to the quality of life of Marylanders in each community.
