Four Vermont Police Departments Gain $496,000 in "COPS in Schools" Grants

September 21, 2001

WASHINGTON (Sept. 21) -- Four local Vermont police departments are getting more than $120,000 each in COPS In Schools Program grants.

The grants will be used to hire new additional School Resource Officers (SROs) -- trained law enforcement officers who teach crime prevention, assist troubled students, and foster respect between students and law enforcement.

"School violence has been on the rise for the past three years," said Senator Patrick Leahy. "Partnerships between police officers and local schools are a steadying influence on the school environment and on individual students. There is everything to gain through these partnerships."

The maximum grant awarded is $125,000 per officer for the three-year grant period. The Brattleboro, Milton, and South Burlington Police Departments will receive the maximum amount, while the Richmond Police Department will be awarded $121,522.

Earlier this year, seven other Vermont cities and counties received COPS In Schools funding.

Leahy chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees the Department of Justice and all federal law enforcement programs. The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program was established by Congress as part of the 1994 crime bill.