Congressman Johnson Secures Federal Grant For Brookhaven Police To Boost Mental Health

Congressman Provides Letter of Support to Procure More Than $147K COPS Grant

BROOKHAVEN, GA – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), announced that the Brookhaven Police Department is receiving $147,900 federal COPS grant that he helped secure for Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Implementation Projects.

The City of Brookhaven Police Department will use the grant funds to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for their officers through training and technical assistance and implementation of promising practices related to peer mentoring mental health and wellness programs.

“One thing many of us can agree on is the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve is broken,” said Congressman Johnson. “The COPS Grant Program is a cornerstone of the federal effort to repair that divide. I’m pleased that the City of Brookhaven Police Department is receiving this grant to help improve access to mental health and wellness. I am committed to creating safer communities in Georgia’s Fourth District.”

“Congressman Johnson’s advocacy continues a legacy of leadership in this critical area where public safety intersects mental health,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst. “Brookhaven was the first in Georgia to have mental health clinicians as first responders working alongside Brookhaven Police, and this grant ensures the officers themselves are best equipped to meet the day to day needs of Brookhaven residents.”

During his tenure in Congress, Congressman Johnson has worked in a bipartisan way to prevent massive cuts to the COPS Hiring Program (CHP), which is designed to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct support to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide.

The DOJ’s Community Policing Development (CPD) program funds are used to develop the capacity of law enforcement to implement community policing by providing guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies; building knowledge about effective practices and outcomes; and supporting new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities. For more, visit the Department of Justice COPS website.

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