Collins, King Announce More Than $2,000,000 for Police Departments in Maine
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King announced that six Maine police departments have been awarded a total of $2,075,000 through the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant programs. The various programs overseen by the COPS office support numerous initiatives for local police departments, including improved hiring practices, school violence prevention, community policing development, and mental health wellness for law enforcement officers and their families.
"Law enforcement officers willingly place themselves in harm's way to protect our communities. It is our responsibility to equip them with the resources they need,” said Senators Collins and King. “This important funding will help improve community policing across the State of Maine, enhance school safety, and provide essential mental health support for law enforcement officers.”
The COPS grant funding awarded to Maine law enforcement agencies falls into four distinct categories:
- COPS Hiring Program (CHP): More than $157 million was awarded to 235 agencies nationwide to hire nearly 1,200 entry-level law enforcement officers, aimed at increasing community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.
- In Maine, the recipients include:
- Town of Rangeley: $125,000
- Rumford Police Department: $250,000
- City of Westbrook: $250,000
- In Maine, the recipients include:
- School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP): Approximately $73 million was awarded to 203 school districts and government entities across the country to enhance security on school grounds, improving safety measures for students and staff.
- In Maine, the recipients include:
- Lewiston Public Schools: $500,000
- Maine School Administrative District 17: $500,000
- In Maine, the recipients include:
- Community Policing Development (CPD): This program provided more than $25.1 million nationwide to support crisis intervention teams, accreditation efforts, and innovative policing strategies, all aimed at improving community relations and law enforcement capabilities.
- In Maine, the recipient of this funding is:
- Rumford Police Department (supporting law enforcement agencies seeking accreditation in Oxford County): $250,000
- In Maine, the recipient of this funding is:
- Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness (LEMHWA) Program: More than $9 million was awarded nationwide to improve the delivery of mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers and support staff.
- In Maine, the recipient of this funding is:
- Maine Indian Township Tribal Government: $200,000
- In Maine, the recipient of this funding is:
These grants are part of a broader national effort by the DOJ’s COPS office to combat opioid and methamphetamine distribution, prepare for active shooter situations, and support technical assistance and hiring programs for law enforcement agencies.
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