Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Has Awarded More than $2 Million to Help Fill More Than 400 Vacant Law Enforcement Positions
HARRISBURG – The Shapiro-Davis Administration is delivering on its commitment to make Pennsylvania communities safer with more than $2 million in grants awarded to 51 local law enforcement agencies to help them attract high-quality recruits and fill more than 400 vacant positions across the Commonwealth.
“The epidemic of gun violence is affecting families and communities all across our Commonwealth – and we must keep working to address it and make Pennsylvanians safer,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who serves as chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). “That’s why the Shapiro-Davis budget invests $100 million into evidence-based strategies to address this crisis. We’re also investing more into mental health resources and community-based organizations doing violence prevention work. But we have to get the policing part right, as well, so local law enforcement agencies can attract high-quality recruits and train them to do their job effectively. The Shapiro-Davis Administration is proud to support local law enforcement agencies to help them do their jobs and keep our communities safe.”
Davis joined Northern York County Regional Police Chief David Lash, Millersville University Police Department Deputy Chief Howard Bauman and Susquehanna Township Police Lt. Andrew Verbos at a Capitol news conference today to highlight how state grants are helping their departments meet the public safety needs of their communities.
“Having a full complement allows us to keep our communities and our officers safer,” said Chief Lash. “We can better attack problem areas and spend additional time on investigations. This combination will allow us to increase our clearance rates, while solving more issues within our communities.”
In December 2023, PCCD announced that 20 law enforcement agencies would receive more than $1 million total through the Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement grant program. Since then, PCCD has accepted 31 more agency applications to receive approximately $1 million combined in grant funding.
“From school resource officers to the members of the Quick Response Team who show up for us at our most urgent moments, I know I can count on the Northern York County Regional Police Department to be there for the communities I serve,” said state Rep. Carol Hill-Evans. “I’m grateful for PCCD’s continued investment into programs that support police workforces across the Commonwealth.”
Local law enforcement agencies, campus or university police, railroad or street railway police, airport authority police and county park police are eligible to apply for this solicitation. The deadline for the next round of Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement grants is April 8.
Applicants can find more information on funding requirements and how to apply on PCCD’s active funding announcements webpage.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis at today’s news conference; additional photos/video available at PACast.com.