The purpose of the cops hiring program (CHP) program is to advance the practice of community policing through the hire or rehire of additional career law enforcement officers

The Town of Smithfield, Rhode Island will receive $125,000 under a five-year Project Grant award from the Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services program. The grant funding will support the Town's hiring of additional career law enforcement officers through September 2026 to enhance its community policing capacity.

The COPS Hiring Program grant aligns with the COPS Office mission to advance public safety through community policing partnerships between law enforcement and local communities. The Town of Smithfield will use the grant funds to hire law enforcement personnel who can engage in collaborative problem solving with Smithfield residents to proactively address crime and social issues.

Funding under this award will be utilized by local law enforcement agencies to hire and rehire career law enforcement officers necessary to increase the jurisdiction's community policing capacity to prevent and disrupt crime and violence.