$2.25 Million in Federal Funding for 18 Police Officers in East Bay

Announcement submitted by Congresswoman Barbara Lee:

Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced this week $2.25 million in awards from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to communities in the East Bay.

The cities of Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda County will benefit from the grants. The funds will create or preserve 18 law enforcement jobs that increase community policing capacity in the East Bay.

“I am pleased to announce this federal funding to create or preserve 18 community-orientated law enforcement officers in our communities,” said Congresswoman Lee. “At a time when departments face high resource constraints, these federal grants will help address public safety and promote community-oriented policing.”

Congresswoman Barbara Lee has long supported the DOJ’s COPS program, especially as a member of the Appropriations Committee. She recently introduced House Resolution 262 to ensure the COPS program has the needed resources to increase hiring and retention of diverse law enforcement officers.

“As we work to build greater trust between law enforcement and our communities, especially communities of color, the COPS program has proven track record of re-focusing law enforcement efforts on the needs of the communities and promoting greater community trust. We must ensure this vital federal program has the resources it needs to support our communities and ensure public safety.”

These grants will retain or fund 18 community-orientated officers for East Bay communities.

• $1.875 million in funding for fifteen officers in Oakland
• $250,000 in funding for two officers in Alameda County
• $125,000 in funding for one officer in Berkeley

“I was pleased to work with Supervisor Carson and Mayors Schaaf and Bates to support these important federal funding grants that help ease the law enforcement shortage and contribute to public safety,” added Lee.

“We are pleased accept this grant funding that supports our Youth and Family Services Bureau, which looks to strengthen relationships between the Sheriff’s Office and our communities,” said Supervisor Keith Carson. “Past successes include the creation of Cops and Robbers, a one man show designed to address the stressful relationship between law enforcement and the African American Community, with the funding we hope to continue our creative initiatives.”

“Making Oakland the safe community it deserves to be is my top priority,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “The federal COPS Office grant of nearly $ 1.9 million awarded to Oakland will enable us to continue building a modern, progressive police force with the staffing resources to equitably serve all Oaklanders.”

“We are delighted to receive this grant. It enhances our ability to do community policing,” stated Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates

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