Milwaukee Police Department awarded funding for additional 27 police officer positions from U.S. Department of Justice grant
Recently, the Milwaukee Police Department was awarded federal funding for 27 Milwaukee police officer positions through the COPS Hiring Program to support Operation Relentless Pursuit. The $10.2 million dollar award to the Milwaukee area also includes the Wauwatosa Police Department and Cudahy Police Department.
The objective of Operation Relentless Pursuit is to combat violent crime by building federal cases against violent actors and their organizations through multiagency efforts that include law enforcement from federal, state and local agencies. Chief Alfonso Morales believes the grant will assist MPD in reducing violent crime that has spiked during the winter and spring of 2020. “This grant could not have come at a better time. 60 police officer positions were cut from our budget this year and our agency has lost a significant number of members due to retirements.” he stated.
The City of Milwaukee has experienced an increase of 115% homicides and an increase of 26% non-fatal shootings as compared to the year to date data of 2019. “We all have a part to play in making Milwaukee a snfer place to live, work and raise a family and my role is to make sure we have enough officers to assist in that process.” Chief Morales stated.
The grant is intended to pay for 27 additional officers’ salaries and fringe benefits for 36 months. The new positions would be filled through the next recruit class.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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