October 03, 2011

Manchin, Rockefeller Rahall Announce $1.3M to Support Law Enforcement Jobs in WV

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller and Representative Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.) today announced that six cities in West Virginia will receive a total of $1,327,255 to hire, keep, and/or rehire law enforcement officers through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office. 

“With state and local budgets hurting in these tough economic times, it is more important than ever that our local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to keep our communities safe,” Senator Manchin said. “I am pleased that these funds will go directly toward supporting the jobs of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to serve West Virginia. We are so grateful for the sacrifices our law enforcement community makes to protect our families and make this state a great place to live.” 

“Our local police forces work diligently each and every day to protect the residents and communities throughout West Virginia,” said Senator Rockefeller. “Particularly as many states and towns face tough financial situations, these awards will help enable law enforcement in many communities to keep and hire even more officers. I have long supported the COPS program as it's critical that we make sure our communities are safe and secure.”

“Stronger towns build a stronger nation.  This is welcome funding to help local law enforcement get the manpower and equipment they need to protect our communities,” Rep. Rahall said.  “In this budget cutting environment, we must remember the value of these funds to neighborhood police officers who constantly are asked to do more with less.” 

The awards are as follows: 

  • The Belington Police Department will receive $124,574. 
  • The Bridgeport Police Department will receive $185,122. 
  • The Glen Dale Police Department will receive $185,529. 
  • The town of Morgantown will receive $552,903.  
  • The city of Oak Hill will receive $160,647. 
  • The city of Point Pleasant will receive $118,480. 

COPS Hiring Program grants provide funding to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire, preserve and/or rehire career law enforcement officers in an effort to create and preserve jobs, increase community policing capacity and support crime prevention efforts. These grants cover the full salary and benefits packages for highly-trained public sector positions. 

###