LANGHORNE, PA—Today, June 29th, 2020, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) announced that Middletown Township Police Department has received a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to hire two new police officers to join the force. The Middletown Township Police Department is one of only eight departments in the entire Commonwealth that will receive funds through the Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program (CHP).

“Chief Bartorilla has run an exceptional department that serves as a model in safeguarding the lives and property within their jurisdiction and as a model in police-community relations,” said Fitzpatrick. “By hiring these new officers, Chief Bartorilla will make our community safer while strengthening the already strong community relations his department has within Middletown Township.”

DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) recently announced $400 million in grant funding through CHP. The Attorney General announced CHP funding awards to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. 

CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics. In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities. Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.

To review the entire 2020 COPS Hiring Program awards list, click here.

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