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 Laurel will receive $125,000 under this five-year Project Grant award from the Department of Justice Offices Boards and Divisions Community Oriented Policing Program. The grant funds will support the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants program, also known as the COPS Hiring Program, by allowing the Laurel Police Department to hire additional career law enforcement officers. These officers will help advance community policing efforts through collaborative problem solving and partnerships with community members, organizations, and other stakeholders to prevent and disrupt crime and violence. The additional law enforcement positions funded under this award will increase the jurisdiction's community policing capacity from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2027.

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.