WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has distributed more than $5 million to eight Virginia law enforcement agencies to hire and retain 30 new law enforcement officers in Virginia.

The grants will go directly to eight of Virginia’s law enforcement agencies, allowing them to hire career law enforcement officers for community policing and crime prevention efforts.  The grants will fund the entry-level salaries and benefits for the officers’ first three years on the job, and grant recipients must  retain these new positions for at least one year beyond that.

“Virginia faces a number of public safety challenges. Given the current economic climate and the budget shortfalls facing local governments, this funding is critical to maintain law enforcement services,” said Senator Webb. "Today’s funding builds on the $40 million announced in March to help law enforcement to combat gang violence, mobilize drug task forces, and ensure public safety throughout Virginia.”

“This funding will provide needed assistance to local law enforcement in a time of tight budgets,” said Senator Warner.  “As our first line of defense, these new officers will help keep our communities safe.”

The grants, provided through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, were distributed through the Justice Department’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Recovery Program. 

The funding was part of $1 billion in grants from the Justice Department to 1,046 law enforcement agencies nationwide and is expected to create or save close to 4,700 officer positions across the country.