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 Blount County Sheriff's Department received a $375,000 project grant award from the Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants program. The funding will support the hire or rehire of additional career law enforcement officers through October 2027 to advance community policing efforts and crime prevention in Maryville, Tennessee.

Specifically, grant funds will be used to increase the jurisdiction's community policing capacity by hiring law enforcement officers who will develop partnerships and collaboratively problem solve with community members, organizations, and other stakeholders to address public safety issues and build trust. The COPS Office grant program aims to enhance law enforcement effectiveness and build capacity for community policing strategies through funding for officer positions, training, and technical assistance.

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.