ICYMI: “Every Penny Helps” – Local Law Enforcement Recruitment Efforts Bolstered by Shapiro-Davis Administration
March 15, 2024
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Has Awarded $2M+ To Help Fill More Than 400 Vacant Law Enforcement Positions Across Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG – The Shapiro-Davis Administration is delivering on its commitment to build safer communities by supporting efforts of local law enforcement to recruit more officers and fill hundreds of vacant positions, providing more than $2 million in grants to 51 agencies across the Commonwealth.
In October 2023, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) announced the availability of funding for Law Enforcement Recruitment Incentive grants and awarded more than $1 million in grants to 20 law enforcement agencies in December.
- Sunbury Mayor Josh Brosious told the Sunbury Daily Item, “These funds will help pay for the recruitment of two officers. It will pay for their Act 120 training and a small salary while they are training. We thank the governor for his support and these funds to help move our department forward.”
- Muncy Police Chief Jim Dornan told the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, “Every penny helps.”
- Farrell Police Department Community and Law Enforcement Liaison Heather Darcangelo told WFMJ that the grant has already helped the department hire three new officers.
The grant program is still open, and local law enforcement agencies are encouraged to apply. The next application deadline is April 8.
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Sunbury Daily Item: Sunbury Police Department receives $21,000 recruiting grant
Sunbury Mayor Josh Brosious and Police Chief Travis Bremigen have already started to explore an Act 120 reimbursement program to recruit new officers.
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Bremigen said the program would help keep officers in the city and make sure the department is fully staffed at all times.
Both Brosious and Bremigen said they are thankful to be awarded the funds.
“These funds will help pay for the recruitment of two officers,” Brosious said. “It will pay for their ACT 120 training and a small salary while they are training. We thank the governor for his support and these funds to help move our department forward.”
Shamokin News-Item: Kulpmont to receive $10,000 in state funding to help recruit police officers
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Muncy gets $5K to offset possible new police officer’s wages
The Borough of Muncy is a recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency that will be used to offset wages to attract a full-time officer.
Currently, the police staff includes Chief Jim Dorman, two full-time officers and three part-time officers. The grant money would be used toward salary of a prospect officer, according to Dorman. The borough has an opening for a full-time officer with one applicant, currently.
“Every penny helps,” Dorman said.
WFMJ: Law enforcement agencies in Shenango Valley receive $60K in grants for recruitment, training
Farrell PD Community and Law Enforcement Liaison Heather Darcangelo tells 21 News for the past two to three years, the department has had three to four positions open, but there is a greater need for more officers now as current officers retire or move to other agencies.
Darcangelo says the funding has helped the department hire three new officers so far.
New Castle Police Chief David Cumo says their portion of the grant will be used for $5,000 signing bonuses, seven per year for five years.
WKBN: [Farrell] police department receiving funding from state for recruitment
Sharon Herald: Farrell gets $25,000 state Law Enforcement Recruitment grant
LancasterOnline: Millersville University police get state grant to help with recruiting
Millersville University’s police department has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and intends to use the money to boost the pay of its two newest hires.
The two officers, hired in January, will get $5,000, Chief Peter Anders said. The money is a “hiring incentive to bridge the gap in our patrol officer pay versus the pay of officers in neighboring departments.”
While the 14-member department is at full complement, Anders anticipates three openings in the next two years and will use the remaining grant money for those positions, with any unused money returned to the commission.
WYOU: Wilkes University gets state grant for on-campus law enforcement
Wilkes University is getting a $14,000 state grant to enhance its law enforcement presence on campus. State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski made the announcement Wednesday.
The funding is coming from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Pashinski, a graduate of Wilkes, says it will help campus police protect students and staff.
28/22 News spoke to Wilkes University students about safety on campus.
“It’s definitely a big thing for us feeling safe and for us to be who we are on campus and do the things that we can do each and every day,” said Wilkes University Graduate Student Nick Kinzler.
WOLF: Wilkes University receives state grant to enhance law enforcement
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Wilkes University receives grant to enhance campus police
Patch: Temple, Drexel gets funds to recruit new law enforcement officers
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