MPD Awarded Grant from the Department of Justice to Hire Veterans as Police Officers | Crime

From Gwendolyn Crump: The Metropolitan Police Department will be awarded funds from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to hire veterans as police officers, as part of President Obama’s Veterans Job Corps initiative.

“The Metropolitan Police Department is pleased to be the recipient of a COPS Hiring Program award which allows us not only to put five additional officers on the street, but also to support the brave men and women who serve in the military,” said Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier. 

 “Our veterans deserve good jobs and our residents deserve safe streets – and this grant helps achieve both,” said Mayor Vincent C. Gray. “I am thankful that the Department of Justice has selected the Metropolitan Police Department to receive these funds.”

The funding - approximately $625,000 –  will be specifically used to hire military veterans who served on active duty for a period of at least 180 days, any part of which occurred on or after September 11, 2001.  The grant will cover just under half of the salary of the officers over a period of three years.