Miami, Florida—It was recently announced that the Miami-Dade Police Department has received a competitive grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice to hire more police officers under the COPS Program. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), a strong supporter of MDPD and the COPS Program, issued the following statement: 

“I applaud the U.S. Department of Justice’s award of $3,125,000 over three years for the Miami-Dade Police Department. This funding from the 2016 COPS Hiring Program will allow MDPD to hire 25 new community officers to improve policing in South Florida neighborhoods.

The additional officers employed under this grant program will provide much needed relief for the police tasked with keeping our communities safe. I congratulate MDPD on receiving this competitive grant and remain vigilant in working together to ensure our law enforcement officials have the tools necessary to reduce violence and provide a safe place for families to grow and thrive,” said Curbelo.

Rep. Curbelo has advocated directly to Attorney General Loretta Lynch for increased COPS funding for Miami-Dade County. Resources for this program were made available in H.R. 2029, “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016,” legislation supported by Rep. Curbelo.

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