Ohio Agencies, Crime Reduction, Ohio 2011

Cincinnati, Ohio – In a move aimed at reducing crime and improving public safety, the U.S. government has awarded more than $243 million to hire new police officers in Ohio communities. The grants were announced by Attorney General Eric Holder, Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, and Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Bernard Melekian.

According to the grant awards, more than $15 million will be allocated to agencies in Ohio through the 2011 COPS Hiring Program. This competitive grant program provides funding directly to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire police officers dedicated to addressing specific crime and disorder challenges confronting communities.

The grants will provide 100 percent funding for the entry-level salaries and benefits of newly-hired, or rehired, full-time officer positions over a three-year period. This funding decision was based on an agency’s commitment to community policing, crime rates, changes in law enforcement budgets, and other local fiscal data such as poverty, unemployment, and foreclosure rates.

Attorney General Holder stated, ‘Block by block – city by city, department by department, the administration is determined – absolutely determined – to help build capacity, to enable our law enforcement partners to make the most of precious resources and to encourage their most promising and effective public safety efforts.’

Director Melekian added, ‘Cities across the country are dealing with numerous challenges and we are pleased to be able to assist their public safety efforts. Creating and maintaining jobs is a key part of this program. This funding helps support local departments in their efforts to increase their ranks, enhance their relationship with the community, and directly address their public safety concerns.’

The 2011 COPS Hiring Program awards will create or help preserve 1,021 sworn law enforcement positions. The jobs created, preserved, or refilled with COPS Hiring Program funds will advance community policing at the local level and contribute greatly to the quality of life of the citizens in each community.

For more information about the COPS Hiring Program and to view a list of municipalities that received grants, visit the COPS website at www.cops.usdoj.gov. The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide.

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