Pelosi Statement on Recovery Funds Allocated to California Police Departments

Pelosi Statement on Recovery Funds Allocated to California Police Departments

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the Obama Administration's announcement of more than $211 million allocated to California police departments, with $16.5 million specifically for the City of San Francisco, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:

â€Å"Today, Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder announced that $1 billion in grants were awarded to law enforcement agencies across the country through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create and preserve jobs. I am proud to report that California will receive more than $211 million, with $16.5 million for the City of San Francisco.

â€Å"As part of the grant, the state of California will be able to hire or rehire 649 career law enforcement officers, which will promote public safety and enhance their ability to conduct crime prevention in our communities. The City of San Francisco will be able to either hire or rehire 50 officers.

â€Å"Our law enforcement officers are brave men and women who protect our nation by risking their lives as part of their daily duties. I am pleased that we can show our gratitude by saving their jobs and creating more job opportunities with these vital funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.”

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Background information:

The $1 billion in grants comes under the Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP). Grants will be made to more than 1,000 law enforcement agencies in all 50 states.

CHRP grants will provide 100 percent funding for approved entry-level salaries and benefits for three years for newly-hired, full-time sworn officers (including filling existing unfunded vacancies) or for rehired officers who have been laid off, or are scheduled to be laid off on a future date, as a result of local budget cuts.