Chula Vista Police Department was awarded $750,000 by the U.S. Department of Justice, which will pay for six more officers, according to U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer on Wednesday.
“I am pleased that DOJ officials recognized the importance of shoring up staffing in our region by funding eight officers to address critical needs in three area communities,” said Brewer in a statement.
Also receiving $125,000 each is the city of Brawley and the La Jolla Band of Indians to pay for two officers, according to the release. This will advance community policing.
A statement from Chula Vista police said the officers they will hire are recent military veterans. The statement says public safety is the most important factor in the region’s second largest city.
The statements says, “the best defense against crime is embracing the community and engaging residents to be involved in the safety of Chula Vista.
“We share a vision to improve the quality of life in Chula Vista through pro-active involvement with the community,” said the police statement.
“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools and support,” said U.S. Attorney General William Barr.
“This funding will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanded community policing efforts nationwide.”
“Particularly in the light of this district’s proximity to the southwest border, it is imperative that local police agencies receive the resources they need to maintain safe and secure neighborhoods,” said Brewer.
The funding is from the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, which is known as Cops Hiring Program or CHP. These grants are part of a competitive award program “intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers.”
The Cops Hiring Program received nearly 1,100 applications from other law enforcement agencies to fund 4,000 law enforcement positions. Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.
