POUGHKEEPSIE – The US
Department of Justice has approved a $625,000, three-year grant to fund
five more police officers for the Poughkeepsie Police Department.
Mayor John Tkazyik said once the new officers go through police training,
they will hit the streets early next year.
“We are still trying to fill four additional spots, so this will
be nine new officers on the beat in what is going to be called the Directed
Patrol Unit, being out there with the community and being in those areas
where we see the hot spots take place, and be one-on-one, hands-on with
the community,” he said.
If all goes according to plans, the 96 member department would increase
to 101 sworn officers after the first of the new year, the mayor said.
