Costa Announces COPS funding for Parlier Police Department
New police officer to join the force
Fresno, Calif. - Congressman Jim Costa (D-Calif.) announced that the Parlier Police Department will hire a new police officer for three years thanks to a $244,057 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). Parlier was one of only 23 law enforcement agencies in California to receive the COPS Hiring Program grant.
"This COPS grant is great news for Parlier. With another police officer out of the unemployment line and on the beat, the streets of Parlier will be safer and more secure," Costa said. "COPS funding is a lifeline for law enforcement agencies like the Parlier PD, and I will continue to fight against attempts to eliminate this critical program."
Chief of Police Ishmael Solis added, "We are excited to add a new police officer to the force to help us continue to keep Parlier and the surrounding communities safe. Very few law enforcement agencies across the state were lucky enough to receive this funding. We are grateful to Congressman Costa for his steadfast support and thankful that COPS has chosen to recognize the Parlier Police Department in this way."
Costa fought efforts to eliminate funding for the COPS program in a May letter to the House Appropriations Committee.
"In this tough economic time, when there have been increases in violent crime, drug sales, and threats to homeland security and the safety of the public, it is essential that law enforcement has the resources necessary to effectively and efficiently protect the public," Costa wrote.
COPS awarded $243 million in grants to 238 law enforcement agencies to hire, preserve, and/or rehire 1,021 career law enforcement officer positions across the country. For more information, visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.