WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (“COPS") will be awarding a total of $3.375 million in federal funds to two Arizona police departments: Phoenix and South Tucson. These funds are intended to create and protect 27 law enforcement positions in Arizona and are part of a $107 million nationwide funding effort.
“The COPS Office is pleased to assist local law enforcement agencies throughout the country in addressing their most critical public safety issues," said Ronald L. Davis, Director of the COPS Office. “These grants are not simply about putting more officers on the street, they are about expanding the capacity of law enforcement agencies to engage in community policing."
“This is great news for the district. The addition of #27 officers in these communities helps build trust in law enforcement, reduce violence and protect our schools, which significantly increases overall public safety in our District." said U.S. Attorney John S. Leonardo. “I am very pleased that this Department of Justice - Law Enforcement Grant was awarded to these two communities allowing them to maintain their community policing efforts at peak efficiency."
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1995, COPS has invested over $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 127,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training, and technical assistance.
For the entire list of grantees and additional information about the 2015 COPS Hiring Program, visit the COPS website at www.cops.usdoj.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
