Vallejo PD could get four more officers through federal grant By Irma Widjojo / Times Herald staff writer Vallejo police might be able to add more police with an influx of more than $1 million in federal funds. Vallejo is one of 39 law enforcement agencies in California to receive part of nearly $20 million through the Community Oriented Police Services program, or COPS. The $1,066,584 approved for Vallejo will fund four extra officers for three years, in addition to the allotted 110, including some benefits, Vallejo police Officer Brenton Garrick said. Garrick said the department applied for the grant in April for the second time. The first one, for about $2.2 million, was granted to the Vallejo Police Department in 2009. That helped retain three officers and hire three more for three years. The grant, however, requires the city to match the fund in an increasing percentage over the three years, and be able to incur all expenses in the fourth year, Garrick said. Police Chief Joseph Kreins said that the department has requested a wavier of any matching funds. The department is not obliged to keep the officers hired through the grant after the four years. But Lt. Sid DeJesus, who is in charge of hiring, remains optimistic. “Because of the investment into each of those officers over that four-year period (in training), and in addition to crime trend and the economic upswing, I suspect the city will work very hard (to retain) all four,” DeJesus said. Since the official notice and paper work has yet to be received by the departments, it is not immediately clear how much the city may have to pitch in over the three years. Whether to accept the grant will involve discussions that include the city manager, police chief, City Council, human resources and finance department once the official notice has been received, “to see if it’s sustainable,” Garrick said. “Every little penny helps in this day and age,” he added. “While we’re improving (financially), it’s a slow and steady improvements.” The department is still working to hire enough officers to fill the 110 positions. Currently, there are 81 sworn officers in the ranks. DeJesus said priority will be given to hiring officers under the grant, if Vallejo choose to accept it. Contact staff writer Irma Widjojo at (707) 553-6835 or iwidjojo@timesheraldonline. Follow her on Twitter @IrmaVTH.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 17:24:36 +0000
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