By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Seeking to add manpower to the Decatur Police Department, Chief Kevin Gerber is looking at a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) program which provides grants for local departments.
Gerber brought the idea before Decatur’s board of works and safety at its recent meeting, seeking permission to proceed pursue such a grant.
He received the okay, following discussion.
The COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grants provide 75% of the approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits of each newly hired and/or rehired full-time officer, up to $125,000 per officer position, for three years of salary support.
“Then, after three years, we would have to have a plan (how to continue to fund the position),” Gerber told the board.
After discussion – which brought up several questions – Gerber was given the go-ahead to further pursue the possibility of obtaining such a grant.
If one were to become available, city council would have to make the final decision on whether or not to accept.
According to a website, “The history of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) dates back to 1994, when the passage of Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (H.R. 3355) authorized an $8.8 billion expenditure over six years. The COPS Office was created to distribute and monitor these funds.”
