POUGHKEEPSIE –The City
of Poughkeepsie is the only community in New York to receive a grant in
the latest federal round of COPS grants and will be able to hire five
additional officers.
The $2 million in funding would cover personnel expenses for three years with a four year commitment to keep the cops on the job.
Police Chief Ronald Knapp sought and received the council approval Monday evening in order to lock up the grant.
“Electronically accepting the grant gives us the time to implement it, sit down with the new administration and working with a budget that is now in place, the reality is how are we going to do that?” Knapp said. In order for him to hire someone, he must first get the authority of the city manager and mayor to move forward. “The grant gives us the ability to work forward with it without losing it,” the chief said.
If the city hires new officers after the first of the year, they will not hit the streets for months until they go through police academy.
Fishkill highway workers restore historical markers
May 11, 2024
