Smith Applauds Funding for Federal Way Police Department
Washington, Sep 29 – Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) praised today’s announcement that the Federal Way Police Department will receive $1,036,292 from the Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program (CHP) to preserve four law enforcement jobs.
“This funding is crucial to ensuring that Federal Way remains a safe place to live, work and raise a family,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “In the current economic environment, cities and towns across the country face difficult choices when it comes to public safety funding. Today’s announcement will help relieve some of that pressure and allow Federal Way to continue to focus on its public safety priorities.”
The grant, which is the largest awarded in Washington State, is part of a $298 million announcement made by the Department of Justice COPS Office, COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The grants are designed to create and/or preserve law enforcement jobs. The grants were made to 379 different local law enforcement agencies in 51 states and territories.
CHP provides funding to address the full-time sworn officer needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide. CHP grants go directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new and/or rehire career law enforcement officers in an effort and to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.
CHP also provides 100 percent funding for approved entry-level salaries and benefits for three years (36 months) for newly-hired, full-time sworn officer positions (including filling existing unfunded vacancies) or for rehired officers who have been laid off, or are scheduled to be laid off on a future date, as a result of local budget cuts. Any additional costs above the approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits are the responsibility of the grantee agency.
“A safe community is a strong community and ensuring that our local law enforcement agencies have the tools and resources they need will continue to be a top priority of mine in Congress,” continued Smith.