AUSTIN (KXAN) — Central Texas police departments, including the city of Austin, were granted nearly $600,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice Community Policing Development Microgrants program, according to U.S. Senator John Cornyn’s (R-Texas) office.

The program looks for solutions to combat crime, increase officer recruitment and retention efforts, and highlight the positive impact of law enforcement in communities.

“Texans’ loyalties lie with our brave men and women in law enforcement, and they deserve to have every tool at their disposal to ensure our communities are safe and secure,” Cornyn said.

Here’s a breakdown of the amount awarded to the departments, per the release.

City of Austin – $175,000

City of College Station – $174,540

Killeen Independent School District Police – $76,213

Texas Department of Public Safety – $174,071

Cornyn said, in part, “I look forward to seeing how these much-needed resources that I helped to secure will empower law enforcement to fight crime and improve public safety for communities across the Lone Star State.”

KXAN reached out to the city of Austin for a statement on how the city plans to use these funds. We will add that statement when we receive it.

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