For its annual COPS hiring grants, the U.S. Department of Justice gave priority to agencies planning to hire more school resource officers and military veterans.
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) on Friday announced funding awards to 263 cities and counties, aimed at creating, and in some cases protecting, 937 law enforcement positions. More than $125 million will be awarded nationally, including nearly $45 million to fund 356 new SRO positions.
Twelve agencies recieved at least $1 million to pay for an officer's salary and benefits for three years. Grantees for the 2013 hiring program were selected based on their fiscal needs, local crime rates, and community policing plans.
Some of the 2013 COPS Hiring Program (CHP) grant recipients for SROs in 2013 include:
Phoenix, Ariz., $1.88 million
Yuma, Ariz., $1 million
Modesto, Calif., $1 million
Bridgeport, Conn., $2.25 million
Hillsborough County (Fla.) Sheriff's Dept., $1.25 million
Okaloosa County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office, $1.4 million
Pasco County (Fla.) Sheriff's Dept., $1.25 million
New Orleans PD, $1.25 million
Flint, Mich., $1.12 million
Spartanburg County (S.C.) Sheriff's Dept., $1.02 million
Hamilton County (Tenn.) Sheriff's Dept., $1 million
El Pas County (Texas) Sheriff's Dept., $1.25 million
Read the 2013 CHP SRO list by state.
Read the full announcement.