The Graham police department has been awarded a $750,000 that will allow the department to hire six full-time officers.
The funding comes from a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Justice Office Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).
Historically, the last time the Graham Police Department increased its patrol division staffing levels to this extent was following a COPS grant that was awarded to the department in 1997, according to the department.
In fact, police chief Kristy Cole recalled that she was initially hired as an officer under that original grant. After securing two full-time officer positions in the last budget cycle, the Graham chief began applying for grants to identify additional funding to hire more police officers.
“Increasing our department’s staffing has been a priority for years,” chief Cole says. “This funding will enable us to hire six officers who will be dedicated to focusing on improving quality of life issues and establishing lasting community partnerships.”
The grant is for five years. It also requires a city match of 25 percent and requires that the city continue the six officers for at least one year after the grant period or repay the grant.
