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Press Release

Metropolitan Police Department Receives $1.25 Million Grant From Department Of Justice For Hiring 10 Police OfficersU.S. Attorney Machen And Department Of Justice Announce Award; Officers To Focus On Violent Crime

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia

     WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) has awarded the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) a grant of $1.25 million for the hiring of 10 police officers to address violent crime, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and the Department of Justice announced today.

     Overall, the COPS Office today announced the funding of awards to 263 cities and counties, aimed at creating 937 law enforcement positions nationwide. More than $125 million will be awarded nationally, including nearly $45 million to fund 356 new school resource officer positions. The grant for the Metropolitan Police Department, effective this month, is to be used to address street crime, specifically, robberies involving electronics.

     Last year, MPD received $625,000 under the COPS hiring program.

     “In the wake of past tragedies, it's clear that we need to be willing to take all possible steps to ensure that our kids are safe when they go to school,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “These critical investments represent the Justice Department's latest effort to strengthen key law enforcement capabilities, and to provide communities with the resources they need to protect our young people. Especially in a time of increased challenges and limited budgets, our top priority must always be the safety and well-being of our children.”

     “While we have made dramatic progress in fighting violent crime in the District of Columbia over the past decade, we have seen a troubling increase in street robberies targeting smartphones and other electronics,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “This $1.25 million grant will allow our partners at the Metropolitan Police Department to more effectively confront this threat with 10 additional police officers.  This year’s grant doubles what MPD received last year and demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting the people of the District of Columbia from violent crime.”

     “In cities around the country, criminals are focused on the robbery and theft of small personal electronics, which are almost as good as cash,” said Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department. “The Obama Administration has already provided critical support in our effort to get cellular service providers to change their practices to discourage the easy resale of stolen phones. This COPS grant will be invaluable in helping us to put more officers on the street to address this crime that all too often turns violent.”

     “The COPS Office is pleased to assist local law enforcement agencies throughout the country address their most critical public safety issues,” said Joshua Ederheimer, Acting Director of the COPS Office.  “Funding from this year’s program will allow many cities and counties to apply new sworn personnel to issues related to violent crime, property crime, and school safety.”

     The COPS Hiring Program offers grants to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire community policing officers.  The program provides the salary and benefits for officer and deputy hires for three years.

     Grantees for the 2013 hiring program were selected based on their fiscal needs, local crime rates, and their community policing plans.  There was an additional focus this year on agencies requesting assistance in developing school safety programs that would include the hiring of a school resource officer.  School resource officer positions funded by the COPS Office are sworn law enforcement positions that work within a school district or facility, interacting directly with school administrators and students.   

     The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide.  Since 1995, COPS has awarded 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 125,000 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 2013 COPS Hiring Program, visit the COPS website at www.cops.usdoj.gov.

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Updated February 19, 2015