US DOJ Awards $112.3 million to Hire Police Officers

The Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) announced the awarding of $112.3 million to fund the hiring of 1433 law enforcement officers in 369 cities and towns across the country.

To date, the COPS program has funded more than 110,000 officers through approximately 31,000 grants. These grants have been awarded to more than 12,000 law enforcement agencies in support of making communities safer by increasing the number of officers available for patrol in local jurisdictions.

Funds awarded to law enforcement agencies by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services provide up to 75% of the total salary and benefits of each new officer for three years, and up to a maximum of $75,000 per officer. State or local funds pay the rest. All jurisdictions that receive funding must submit and adhere to a plan to retain COPS-funded officer positions for at least one complete budget cycle after federal funding has ended.