The more than $5 million in grants to Colorado police departments was announced Tuesday by Attorney General Eric Holder.
The Recovery Act money comes through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring program. Grand Junction will get five new officers, Commerce City four new officers and Englewood three new members of its police department. Other Colorado cities receiving additional personnel include Colorado Springs, Idaho Springs, Steamboat Springs, Vail and Black Hawk. A total of 23 officers will be hired as a result of the grants.
The Department of Justice received more than 7,200 applications representing more than 39,000 officers from around the country. The total requested was $8.3 billion in funding. The Justice Department released $1 billion to communities in all 50 states Tuesday through the COPS program.
"These Recovery Act funds will pump much needed resources into communities through a program with a proven track record," wrote Attorney General Holder in a news release e-mailed to 9NEWS. "The tremendous demand for these grants is indicative of both the tough times our states, cities and tribes are facing, and the unyielding commitment by law enforcement to making our communities safer."
All of the departments receiving the grants are required to keep the grant-funded positions for a fourth year.
"This grant will provide much needed financial support to our communities and will help our local law enforcement agencies add and retain the manpower needed to fight crime more effectively," said U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07).
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