Merkley, Wyden Announce $5 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Create and Retain Law Enforcement Jobs

Funding Adds Officers in Astoria, Grants Pass, Gresham, Klamath Falls, Lane County, Oregon City, Redmond, Springfield, and Sutherlin

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

WASHINGTON D.C. – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that over $5 million in Recovery Act funding will go to pay law enforcement salaries in Oregon communities.  The funding will employ 21 full-time police officers for three years.

Oregon communities receiving funding include Astoria, Grants Pass, Gresham, Klamath Falls, Lane County, Oregon City, Redmond, Springfield, and Sutherlin.  Award amounts and officer positions for each community are listed below.

“We’re continuing to see the Recovery Act create jobs in Oregon,” Merkley said.  “In these tough economic times, it is critical that we support local governments’ efforts to protect our communities.  By adding police officers to the streets, we’re putting Oregonians to work and looking out for our families and our children.”

“COPS grants have produced enviable success in Oregon, creating good-paying jobs, keeping Oregonians safer with more police patrolling the streets, and taking some of the financial heat off of struggling state and local governments,” Wyden said.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the grants will provide 100 percent of the approved salary and benefits for entry level officer positions over a three year period.  Police departments receiving the grants will then be required to retain the grant funded positions for a fourth year. 

For more information about the grants, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.