Shaheen Leads NH Delegation in Announcing $500K for Local Law Enforcement to Hire Officers

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Justice (DOJ), announced today with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) that New Hampshire will receive $500,000 through DOJ’s Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Hiring grant program. The COPS Hiring program supports state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies’ ability to hire, preserve and/or rehire law enforcement officers and increase community policing efforts. The federal funding announced today will allow police departments in Epping and Salem to each hire an officer, as well two officers for Groveton. The announcement is available here.

“Community policing efforts are so important in New Hampshire to foster relationships between the public and police, which creates a healthy, safe and supportive environment for all Granite Staters. That’s why boosting funds for the COPS Hiring program is always one of my top priorities during the annual government funding process,” said Senator Shaheen. “The COPS Hiring program is a great resource for New Hampshire to enhance community policing efforts and I’m excited to see these new grants for our local law enforcement in Epping, Salem and Groveton to hire additional officers. As Congress works to finalize government funding legislation for the next fiscal year, I’ll keep working to increase investments for the COPS Hiring program.”

“Community policing programs play a vital role in keeping Granite Staters safe. They help to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities that they work to protect, and I am glad to advocate for COPS grant funding to our state,” said Senator Hassan. “I am deeply grateful for the law enforcement officers across New Hampshire who work day in and day out to serve our state, and I will keep working to support public safety.”

“New Hampshire community policing helps to build a stronger connection between Granite Staters and the law enforcement officers who protect us all,” said Representative Kuster. “This funding for the COPS Hiring programs will be an incredible resource for our state and in ongoing efforts to hire and train police officers to protect our citizens and keep New Hampshire safe.”

"New Hampshire law enforcement is among the best in the nation, and I've been committed to securing all resources available to support their work and ensure the highest standards and best practices are in place," said Representative Chris Pappas. "This grant will allow local departments to hire additional officers and increase community policing efforts. These federal funds could not come at a more important time as we continue to deal with COVID-19 and related issues, including the continuing epidemic of addiction and substance misuse."

A senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies subcommittee, Shaheen historically secures robust funding for the COPS Hiring program through the annual government funding process. The fiscal year (FY) 2022 government funding legislation released by the Senate Appropriations Committee last month includes $248 million for the COPS Hiring program, thanks to Shaheen’s leadership, which would be an increase of $11 million over previous funding levels. Senator Hassan has been a strong supporter of the COPS Hiring Program, advocating for COPS grants to New Hampshire communities. Last month, the Senate passed a bipartisan resolution sponsored by Senators Shaheen and Hassan to commemorate National Community Policing Week.

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