Van Hollen, Cardin, Brown, and Trone Announce $3 Million to Hire Law Enforcement Professionals to Reduce Crime in Prince George’s and Allegany Counties

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Anthony G. Brown and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $3 million in federal funding to hire 24 law enforcement professionals in Prince George’s and Allegany Counties through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program. This program seeks to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers, increasing their community policing capacity, and improving crime prevention efforts.

"Reducing persistent crime in our communities takes a full commitment from all levels of government. No community should face these threats to peace and security alone," the lawmakers said. “This infusion of federal funding will equip local police departments with the personnel and resources they need to deter crime, while building trust between the officers and the communities they serve."

Funding comes from the Department of Justice’s COPS Hiring Program (CHP). Awardees include: 

• $2,125,000 for the City of Seat Pleasant to hire 17 law enforcement officers

• $500,000 for the Town of Forest Heights to hire 4 law enforcement officers 

• $375,000 for the City of Cumberland to hire 3 law enforcement officers

The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers.

Previously, the lawmakers announced more than $600,000 for Community Policing Development Programs.