RI Police Departments Receive $750K Grants For Community Policing

PROVIDENCE, RI — Five Rhode Island police departments were awarded grants totaling $750,000 community policing, the office of Acting United States Attorney Richard Myrus announced Thursday. The funds are Community Oriented Policing Services grants from the Department of Justice.

"We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said. "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."

Nationwide, 183 police department were awarded grants to hire 1,066 full-time officers, with a focus on community engagement and relations.

"Our local law enforcement partners play an integral role in the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy," Myrus said. "The COPS hiring program and today’s grants reflect our commitment to local law enforcement, community-based policing, and to the broader goal of keeping the people of Rhode Island safe by reducing violent crime."

Along with Tiverton, the following communities were awarded grants:

• North Providence - $125,000
• Richmond - $125,000
• Scituate - $125,000
• Smithfield - $125,000
• Tiverton - $250,000