Staff report
The city of Salisbury learned Wednesday it has received $646,924 in federal stimulus money to pay for four police officers over the next three years.
The positions, which were included in the city’s recently passed budget, will be funded by a U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services grant, otherwise known as a COPS grant.
Salisbury Police Department was among 50 law enforcement agencies in North Carolina to receive more than $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding through the COPS program.
The money will create and save jobs for 202 officers statewide.
No other Rowan County law enforcement agency received a COPS grant announced Wednesday.
Nearby, the city of Lexington received $145,005 toward one officer; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, $8,545,950 for 50 officers.
The grants provide 100 percent salary and benefits for entry level officer positions over three years.
“Our police departments and sheriff’s offices are struggling to keep their budgets balanced, and this is an investment in jobs and the safety of our communities,” U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) said.