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 West Memphis Police Department was awarded a $1.7 million project grant from the Department of Justice's Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants program (CFDA 16.710) to advance community policing through officer hiring. Funding under this October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2027 award will allow the West Memphis Police Department to hire additional career law enforcement officers to increase community policing capacity and prevent and disrupt crime and violence in West Memphis, Arkansas. As outlined in the program description, the COPS Office funding will support the department's efforts to develop community partnerships and implement organizational transformations and problem-solving strategies that are key components of the community policing philosophy.

Funding under this award program 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.