5 WV communities to receive COPS grant to hire veterans for law - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

5 WV communities to receive COPS grant to hire veterans for law enforcement positions

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Federal funding totaling $635,000 is headed to West Virginia to hire veterans for law enforcement positions in five localities.

The funding is from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS.

"Even though many of us are forced to tighten our belts during these tough economic times, it is so important to make sure that our local law enforcement agencies receive the funds that they need to protect our communities, and what better way to do that than by hiring our veterans?" said U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. "I am so pleased that this year, the COPS program is focused on hiring our veterans, who have not only sacrificed so much but who are some of the best trained men and women in the workforce. They kept our families safe overseas, and there is no one more fitting to keep us safe here at home. I hope every police department in our state can proudly display our 'I Hire Veterans' logo."@

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., also commented on the funding in a news release Monday.

"This is great news for the country and West Virginia," said Rockefeller. "Our veterans are some of the best workers out there and thanks to their military service, they have the training and skills needed for law enforcement. I have long been a supporter of the COPS program, and these grants should also help younger service members who recently returned from duty but are unemployed find fulfilling careers. Given the current unemployment rate for younger veterans, we still have much more to do, and last year I worked to pass a new law that will help our veterans get the jobs they deserve after they finish their service. I have always fought for our veterans, and I will continue to serve them in every way that I can, just as they did for us."

The awards are as follows:

The Raleigh County Sheriff's Office will receive $242,142 for two officers.

The Town of Star City will receive $125,000 for one officer.

The Summersville Police Department will receive $116,219 for one officer.

The City of Cameron will receive $100,201 for one officer.

The Town of Quinwood will receive $69,662 for one officer.

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These grants cover the full salary and benefits packages.