FSPD to receive federal funds for two police officers

The Fort Smith Police Department will receive $351,984 from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to support the employment of two police officers.
 
Overall, six Arkansas police departments will receive a total of $1,650,671 to create or preserve jobs for 11 officers, according to a statement from the office of U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark.

The funds will be distributed as follows:
City of Fort Smith, $351,984 for two officers
City of England, $137,781 for one officer
City of Greers Ferry, $134,169 for one officer
Jacksonville Police Department, $511,545 for three officers
Prescott Police Department, $146,108 for one officer
Russellville Police Department, $369,084 for three officers

COPS provides 100 percent funding for approved, entry-level salaries and benefits for three years (36 months) for newly-hired, full-time sworn officer positions, including filling existing vacancies or for rehired officers who have been laid off or are scheduled to be laid off as a result of local budget cuts. Any additional costs above the approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits are the responsibility of the grantee agency.