EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The U.S. Department of Justice has given the El Paso Police Department a $2.25 million grant to hire new officers and strengthen the department’s relationship with the community.

According to the City of El Paso, the DOJ’s Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program is giving federal funds to EPPD to hire more officers and boost initiatives that will reduce response times and invest in programs that bolster the bond between officers and the community they serve.

“This investment represents a major step forward in our ongoing efforts to keep El Paso one of the safest large cities in the country,” Mayor Renard Johnson said. “We are grateful to our federal partners for their continued support and advocacy on behalf of our community. I especially want to thank Congressman Tony Gonzales and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar for their leadership and commitment to ensuring federal resources reach El Paso. Public safety remains one of my top priorities, and this funding strengthens our ability to protect and serve every resident of our city.”

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Republic Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and Democratic Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) both support the move.

“El Paso has consistently ranked among the safest cities in the nation and it’s thanks to our dedicated law enforcement in the region. To continue ensuring the public safety, I’m pleased to announce a new $2.25M federal COPS grant that I helped support and fund through my role on the House Appropriations Committee,” Gonzales said. “I want to thank Mayor Johnson and Police Chief [Peter] Pacillas for their partnership on this key investment that will keep communities along the borderland safe and secure.”

“I’m proud to help support local law enforcement and ensure we ease the tax burden on local property owners and taxpayers whenever possible. This COPS grant will help the El Paso Police Department expand its community-based initiatives, strengthen trust between officers and residents, and ensure that every person, especially our most vulnerable neighbors, can feel safe and supported,” Escobar said. “I will continue my work to secure federal funds for the programs, initiatives, and hardworking men and women who keep our community safe.”

According to the City, it will work closely with the DOJ’s COPS to make sure EPPD gets the most out of the grant.

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