WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded funds to the City of Barberton and the Village of Northfield through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program. The COPS Hiring Program allows local law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire officers to fight crime and keep communities safe.

“Safe communities depend on well-trained law enforcement officers, but too many police departments across our state have had to lay off police officers due to budget challenges,” Brown said. “These funds will enable Summit County police departments to continue keeping our streets safe. This grant is a critical investment in the men and women who devote their lives to protecting Ohioans.”

The awarded funds are as follows:

Award Recipient

Number of Officers Funded

Award Amount

City of Barberton

2

$250,000

Village of Northfield

1

$125,000

Brown continues to advocate for Ohio’s law enforcement officers. In May 2015, Brown called for full funding of the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program which helps Ohio law enforcement agencies secure critical tools and equipment to keep communities safe. That same month, Brown’s office hosted seminars in Cleveland and Columbus on applying for grant programs administered by the COPS Office, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW).

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