SUNBURY — The Sunbury Police Department will receive $21,000 to recruit new officers thanks to a state grant.
The Shapiro administration awarded $2 million in grant funding for law enforcement recruitment across the state.
Kulpmont was the only other Valley department to receive funding. The borough was awarded $10,000.
According to a press release from the Shapiro administration, the Law Enforcement Recruitment grant funding is for hiring and training 412 new police officers across the commonwealth.
“Every Pennsylvanian deserves to feel safe in their communities, and making sure communities have enough police officers on the beat is a key component for public safety,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. “Through this funding law enforcement entities can fill gaps which will in turn improve safety in our communities.”
Sunbury Mayor Josh Brosious and Police Chief Travis Bremigen have already started to explore an Act 120 reimbursement program to recruit new officers.
Brosious and Bremigen spoke to city council about the new program they are trying to establish to keep police officers.
“Council has agreed to help any individuals after passing the process to pay for their Act 120 training and also a small salary while they are at training,” Brosious said. “In return, the candidate will sign a five-year contract that requires them to stay as an officer with the city.
“The chief and I are looking for ways to be more proactive in funding and how to recruit candidates.”
Brosious said this is a continuation of the department’s proactive approach in the fight against crime and drugs throughout the city.
“Many times citizens do not see the incidents the police deal with, but the data backs up what they are doing with the number of patrol miles, calls received, arrests and investigations,” he said. “They are actively protecting our city.”
Bremigen said the program would help keep officers in the city and make sure the department is fully staffed at all times.
Both Brosious and Bremigen said they are thankful to be awarded the funds.
“These funds will help pay for the recruitment of two officers,” Brosious said. “It will pay for their ACT 120 training and a small salary while they are training. We thank the governor for his support and these funds to help move our department forward.”