Federal Grant Will Fund 15 New Police Officers In Hartford

HARTFORD, CT — The Department of Justice announced that Hartford is among the cities that will receive a total of $139 million in grant funding for hiring community-oriented police officers.

Hartford will receive $1,875,000 to hire 15 officers, according to a statement.

"We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust," Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. "The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs."

The federal award program is intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. Agencies receiving funds have varying goals including building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; addressing high rates of gun violence; combating hate and domestic extremism; and supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis.