October 9, 2014 - Houston Police Chief Charles A. McClelland, Jr. today announced HPD is the recipient of a 2014 U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant to pay for police officer positions.

HPD will receive $3.125 million, which will fund 25 police officers. Nationwide, more than $123 million is being awarded and more than 900 law enforcement positions are being created.

“Curbing violence through community policing is a practice that works here in Houston,” said Mayor Annise Parker. “With this money, we’ll be able to cover the cost of putting 25 more officers on the streetsto help fight crime, mitigate violence and make an impact in the neighborhoods they serve.”

The COPS Hiring Program offers grants to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire community policing officers. The program provides the salary and benefits for hired officers for three years.

Chief McClelland says the grant is welcomed and much needed. “We appreciate the efforts of all involved in securing this grant at a time when we are aggressively hiring officers here at HPD. Funding for 25 more police officers on our streets and in our neighborhoods will help us and help those we serve and protect in our city every day.”

Grantees for the 2014 hiring program were selected based on their fiscal needs, local crime rates, and their community policing plans. The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide.