National Grant Will Fund Bridgeport School Resource Officers

A $2.25 million grant from the U.S. Dept. of Justice will allow city of Bridgeport to bring 10 new police officers into the school system.

The grant money will fund the officers' salaries and benefits for three years. It's part of a larger national initiative called the Community Oriented Policing Services program, or COPS for short.

COPS grant money will benefit 263 cities and towns around the country and should create 937 law enforcement positions, including 356 school resource officers, according to Bridgeport police.

More than $125 million will be awarded nationally.

"With these new SROs, the result will be safer schools and a better climate for education," said Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, in a statement. "I'm deeply grateful."

Bridgeport police officials also expressed their appreciation.

"Nothing replaces boots on the ground," said Bridgeport Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett, Jr., in a statement.

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