New Jersey Law Enforcement Agencies, Hiring, New Jersey 2023 – $139M for Community Policing

NEWARK, N.J. – In a move to bolster community safety and build trust, the U.S. government has announced a massive grant funding initiative for law enforcement agencies across the nation. The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP) will provide more than $139 million in direct funding to support the hiring of 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals.

In the District of New Jersey, five municipalities and one county police department were awarded funding totaling $11,784,672. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey praised the initiative, stating that the funding will make neighborhoods safer and build trust between local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

Community-oriented policing has led to significant strides in many New Jersey communities, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office looks forward to continuing to strengthen those programs moving forward. The funding will enable law enforcement agencies to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vital community-oriented policing programs.

At the heart of the initiative are five municipalities and one county police department in New Jersey that will receive funding totaling $11,784,672. Bayonne, the City of Camden County Police Department, New Brunswick, Paterson, Plainfield, and Prospect Park will each benefit from the grant funding.

Camden County Police Department will receive $2,500,000 to hire 20 additional officers, while Bayonne will receive $1,500,000 for 12 officers. New Brunswick will receive $2,262,576 for 6 officers, Paterson will receive $3,772,096 for 20 officers, Plainfield will receive $1,250,000 for 10 officers, and Prospect Park will receive $500,000 for 4 officers.

The COPS Office has a long history of supporting community policing, with over $14 billion invested since its creation in 1994. The COPS Hiring Program is the agency’s flagship program, providing funding to law enforcement agencies to hire and redeploy officers. In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions.

The funding announced today will enable law enforcement agencies to build legitimacy and trust with the communities they serve. The COPS Office is committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to ensure community safety.

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