Three police departments in Hidalgo County will receive more than $3.6 million from the federal government to hire new officers, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez announced last week.
McAllen, Edinburg and Alton will benefit from the Department of Justice’s COPS Hiring Program, otherwise known as the Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program.
The program aims to reduce and prevent crime by providing communities with funding to hire or rehire law enforcement officers.
McAllen will receive $1.875 million to hire 15 officers, Edinburg will receive $1 million for eight new officers and Alton will get $781,029 for five new hires.
“The Rio Grande Valley is one of the safest regions in the country thanks to the efforts of our local law enforcement,” Gonzalez said in the release. “Local police officers work tirelessly to protect and serve our communities, serving as a model for departments across the country. I am proud to announce this funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure local police departments can hire more officers and keep our communities safe.”
