(From a press release)
Clifton Heights Borough has received a $519,000 three-year federal grant to hire two new full-time police officers, Mayor Mark Campbell announced. The federal funding will enable Clifton Heights to expand its police department from 11 full-time officers to 13 full-time officers. Clifton Heights plans to begin the hiring process in early 2024.
The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), requires no matching funds from Clifton Heights Borough. The award was in response to a proposal Clifton Heights submitted earlier this year to the FY23 COPS Hiring Program.
Clifton Heights is one of just 18 municipalities in Pennsylvania to secure funding under the program this year. It also secured the second highest level of funding of any municipality in Pennsylvania. Clifton Heights has committed to retaining the officers after the grant funding ends in three years.
“Obtaining grant funding through the COPS program is a highly competitive because countless communities across the country are vying for the resources needed to hire additional officers,” said Campbell. “Clifton Heights Borough, our police department, and our staff are committed to keeping our community, residents, and business district safe and this grant will help us accomplish that goal.”
“This funding will accelerate the process of finding and hiring qualified officers,” said Clifton Heights Police Chief Tim Rockenbach. “This grant funding will enable us to hire new, full-time officers who will help us in our efforts to enhance the safety of the community.”
Campbell partially attributed the success of the grant application to Clifton Heights Borough’s financial stability and the multi-million development of new business and shopping centers which will generate additional future business tax revenue. He also applauded Police Chief Tim Rockenbach, the borough’s administrative staff, and the borough’s consultant, Penn Strategies, for identifying and pursuing the grant opportunity.