Rep. Johnson announces $1.4M COPs grant for DeKalb

LITHONIA, GA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), a member of the House Judiciary Committee and ranking member of the subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law, today announced more than $1.3 million from Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office for DeKalb County to hire 15 officers.

It is part of a $121.4 million COPS Hiring Program (CHP) nationwide to create and/or preserve law enforcement jobs. Grants will be made to 212 different local law enforcement agencies across the country.

“As a former county commissioner, I know how critical COPs grants are in strengthening key law enforcement capabilities and providing communities with the resources they need to protect our citizens,” said Johnson. “I will continue to fight to maintain these important programs as a member of Congress.”

“Rep. Johnson has a long history of dedicated and committed work for public safety,” said Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Public Safety Dr. Cedric Alexander. “Programs like COPs provide additional resources to improve public safety and continue building strong community relationships with the public we serve.”

Since 2007, Rep. Johnson – a longtime supporter of the COPS program – has helped his district receive nearly $6 million in COPS grants that were used to hire more than 45 additional police officers. In 2012, Johnson helped Newton County receive a $900,000 grant for seven additional officers.

Rep. Johnson has been fighting for local funds for law enforcement since he introduced a bill in 2007 to reauthorize Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program in addition to protecting COPS funding.

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