The city of New Haven is applying for a $4.6 million federal grant to hire 21 police officers — just three months after laying off 16 rookies in an effort to balance the city’s budget, The Associated Press reports.
In a letter to the Board of Aldermen, police Chief Frank Limon said the funding could be used to call back laid-off officers or hire new ones.
If the application is approved, the federal government would cover the entry-level salary and benefits of any new or rehired police officers for three years.
The city would have to pledge to retain the officers for at least one year after funding ended.
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The New Haven Register reports that applications for the new funding are due to the Department of Justice before the end of the month.
