Press Releases

Hazleton, PA – U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) today announced that the Hazleton Police Department has received a $1,342,497 grant through the federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program to support the hiring of additional law enforcement officers.

“The coronavirus pandemic is straining local government budgets, and that makes it hard to keep essential services like police and first response up and running,” said Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “More federal support to help our local governments weather this economic fallout is badly needed, but these resources will bolster Hazleton’s efforts to keep the city safe in this challenging time.”

“It’s great to see that the federal leaders of our Commonwealth recognize the issues we’re dealing with in Hazleton, and that they’re stepping up to support us,” said Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat. “This takes a big financial burden off our city at a time when we need more resources for our law enforcement.”

The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. The community policing approach focuses on forging trust between law enforcement and the members of the communities they serve. CHP funding also helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities.