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By Maggie Thurber | Special to Ohio Watchdog
The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services is bringing its “Vets to Cops” program to Ohio with $6.9 million to create or save more than 50 law enforcement jobs.
The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services is bringing its “Vets to Cops” program to Ohio with $6.9 million to create or save more than 50 law enforcement jobs.
The COPS Hiring Program awards grants to hire or rehire community policing officers. The program provides the salary and benefits for the new hires for three years, the USDOJ reported. All new positions funded with the grant money must be filled by military veterans who have served at least 180 days since Sept. 11. 2001.
“This new opportunity for veterans is a commitment to support those who are coming home from their tour of duty,” said Bernard Melekian, COPS office director. “We sincerely hope this effort encourages our veterans to continue to protect and serve the United States through new law enforcement careers.”
Along with the pledge to hire military veterans, cities chosen for the 2012 Hiring Program were selected based on fiscal need and local crime rates. An additional factor in the selection process was each agency’s strategy to address specific problems such as increased homicide rates and gun violence.
The recipients:
- $1.,875,000 for 15 positions to the City of Toledo Police Department
- $1,500,000 for 12 positions to the City of Akron
- $1,000,000 for eight positions to the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department
- $821,489 for seven positions to the City of Canton
- $727,398 for seven positions to the City of Youngstown Police Department
- $327,244 for two positions to the City of Portsmouth
- $125,000 for one position each to the City of Greenfield, Village of Mingo Junction, Newton Falls Township Police, and the Republic Police Department
- $111,513 for one position to the Village of Russells Point
- $85,369 for one position to the Village of McArthur
