The Republic Police Department will be receiving more than $100,000 in federal funds to save a police officer's position.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown announced Monday the village department is the recipient of $125,000 through the COPS Hiring Program from the U.S. Department of Justice. The funds will support 75 percent of the cost of three years of salary and fringe benefits for the officer.
Currently, the village is only staffed by a part-time police chief who was hired May 21.
"We know that safe communities depend on the expertise of 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 in a release. "These funds will enable the Republic Police Department to preserve the job of a law enforcement officer dedicated to keeping our streets safe. This grant is a critical investment in the men and women who devote their lives to protecting Ohioans."
According to the release, CHP provides funding to address the full-time sworn officer needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide. CHP grants go directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new and/or rehire career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.
Republic Police Chief Don Holmer said Monday evening he had just learned of the grant and hadn't discussed police department plans with Republic Mayor Bruce Lambert.
A call placed to Lambert was not returned Monday evening.
