Published: July 05, 2009 07:53 pm      

MVPD awaits word on funding

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON —The Mt. Vernon Police Department is among one of many police departments across the nation waiting word on whether they will receive federal funding to keep their departments intact.

The MVPD has been about two officers short for the past two years, explained Chief Chris Mendenall, and if awarded the approximately $430,500 federal grant money applied for, the city’s police department would be back to full force.

“It makes it harder on the department and officers,” Mendenall said. “We provide the same services — we haven’t reduced any services. But it takes a toll on the department.”

The federal grant — COPS Hiring Recovery Program — is a competitive grant program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which will allocate $1 billion in funding directly to law enforcement agencies for the hiring and rehiring of additional career law enforcement officers. Approximately 5,500 additional sworn law enforcement officers are expected to be added to agencies across the country.

According to the United States Department of Justice’s Web site, applications were received from March 16 to April 14, 2009, and applicants will be notified if they will receive COPS grant funding no later than Sept. 30. The grant provides 100 percent funding for approved entry-level salaries and benefits for three years for newly-hired, full-time sworn officer positions or for rehired officers who have been laid off or are scheduled to be laid off on a future date as a result of budget cuts, information states.

If the MVPD is approved for the grant, then the city would guarantee a fourth year and be responsible for salaries and benefits.

And, since the city’s main source of income is through sales tax dollars, Mendenall said, depending on how the economy is doing, budgets take a hit.

“The money does slow and impacts all our budgets,” he said. “It might impact our overtime budget, but we work through it.”

The Associated Press has reported the first award announcements are expected this month.

“We haven’t been notified yet,” Mendenall said, “but we’re hoping to get the award so we can get back to being full-staffed. We can’t hire anyone until we get it.”