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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Amy
Giancoli Hartman |
State Rep. Frank Oliver |
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Oliver reintroduces bill to give grants for new police officers
HARRISBURG, Feb. 8 -- State Rep. Frank Oliver, D-Phila., has introduced a bill that would establish the Police on Patrol Grant Program within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
The program would provide grants to police departments to help reimburse municipalities for the salary of new police officers hired above the base complement. The grants would be awarded to municipalities that had at least five gun homicides in 2005.
"The role of a police officer is to protect and serve, but it's their visible presence in the community that seems to discourage crime and violence. This bill would make it more affordable for communities to increase their police presence and reduce crime," Oliver said.
Under the bill, grants of up to $50,000 for each police officer hired over the base complement would be awarded, provided the officer is a full-time police department employee assigned to criminal or traffic law enforcement duties.
The grants would be renewable for up to two years.
The bill (H.B. 104) has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.
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