news

Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-21) announced today that Albany, Schenectady and Troy will receive nearly $5 million in grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to put more police officers on city streets. The grants will be administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) through the Agency’s COPS Hiring Recovery Program.

The Albany Police Department has been awarded $2,306,860 for 10 officers, the Schenectady Police Department $1,861,304 for 8 officers, and Troy $802,708 for 4 officers.

“These Recovery Act funds will help our police departments strengthen their community policing efforts to fight crime in our neighborhoods more effectively,” said Rep. Tonko. “The money also provides much needed help for local government budgets which are strained because of the weak economy.”

The grants will provide 100 percent of the salary and benefits for an entry level police officer position over a three year period. Police departments receiving the grants will then be required to retain the grant funded position for a fourth year.

For more information about the COPS grants please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov

###