For Immediate Release
September 4, 2003

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES $99.3 MILLION IN GRANTS TO ADD OFFICERS TO AMERICA'S STREETS

Grants Fund Hiring of 1327 Officers in 204 Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) today announced $99.3 million in grants to fund the hiring of 1311 full-time and 16 part-time law enforcement officers in communities in 49 states and three U.S. territories.

The grants were awarded under COPS Universal Hiring Program (UHP) and will pay 75 percent of salary and benefits of each new officer over three years, up to a maximum of $75,000. Local funds pay the remainder, and each grantee is required to retain the new positions for one full local budget cycle after the federal funding ends. In addition to traditional law enforcement duties, these new community policing officers will also engage in homeland security activities.

"The Department of Justice is committed to helping state and local law enforcement meet today's new challenges and threats," said Attorney General John Ashcroft. "Our law enforcement partners on the state and local levels are essential in our efforts to fight crime and prevent terrorism."

"Throughout the country, law enforcement agencies are increasing the quantity and quality of the services that they provide. They have successfully reduced crime, and are protecting our communities against the ongoing threat of terrorism," said Carl R. Peed, Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. "These grants, and the new officers they represent, will help keep our communities safe."

Including today's grants, COPS has provided over $6.9 billion to fund the hiring of more than 118,000 officers since 1995. In addition to funding law enforcement positions, COPS provides training and technical assistance resources that help local law enforcement agencies implement innovative and effective community policing strategies.

For information on which law enforcement agencies in your area received grants, click here.

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