Two Valley communities in Ohio are set to benefit from a $13.7 million investment aimed at hiring and retaining law enforcement officers across the state. The investment, part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program, will allocate funds to 13 communities.
According to U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown’s office, the City of Youngstown will receive $1,612,170 to hire 15 new law enforcement officers. Additionally, the Austintown Township Police Department is set to receive $750,000 to retain six officers.
The COPS Hiring Program focuses on hiring entry-level career officers to enhance community policing efforts and boost crime prevention capacity in local departments. Senator Brown emphasized the importance of the funding, stating, “We fought for these much-needed investments to ensure that law enforcement across the state can keep their communities safe. This will enable Ohio communities to hire, retain, and train dedicated officers to prevent crime and protect Ohioans.”
The funds are expected to improve public safety in Youngstown, Austintown, and other areas benefiting from the program.
For more information, visit the Department of Justice COPS Program.
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