Mayor Amato Announces $1.25 Million Grant to Hire New Cops in Berkeley

Shore News Network

BAYVILLE, NJ – Berkeley Mayor Carmen Amato and Police Chief Karin DiMichele are proud to announce that the Township of Berkeley was awarded funding from the United States Department of Justice through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP).  The Berkeley Police Department was awarded the grant totaling $1,250,000 which will allow the department to hire ten (10) new police officers.

 

“We have aggressively pursued this funding to help strengthen our police department without impacting local taxpayers. With upcoming retirements and a growing population, the 1.2 million in funding couldn’t come at a better time,” said Mayor Carmen Amato.

 

“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support.  The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”

 

The COPS Hiring Program is 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.  In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics.  In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities.


 

The substantial award secured through Berkeley’s longtime grant writing team at Bruno Associates, Inc. will offset the salary of the prospective new officers over a three-year period, with the Township fully absorbing costs starting on the fourth year. These new officers will specifically bolster the Berkeley Police Department’s community policing efforts and will also focus on combating effects of the Opioid Epidemic. The new officers are expected to be hired by the Township and integrated into BTPD over the next two years.


“The Council and I would like to thank Bruno Associates, Administrator John Camera, CFO Fred Ebenau and Lt. Ryan Roth for working together on the successful application. Chief DiMichele and I look forward to hiring  these additional officers over the next two years.” Mayor Amato said.

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