Mayor Nutter joined U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and other elected officials to announce the city will receive a three-year $3.125 million federal grant from the Department of Justice to help pay the salary and benefits of 25 police officers.
Philadelphia was one of 226 cities and counties to receive the Community Oriented Policing and Services award. New positions must be filled by recent military veterans. Terry Gillen, the Mayor's director of Federal Legislative Affairs said 15 percent of new police recruits were veterans.
Philadelphia received COPS funding in 2009. More than $111 million is being awarded to public safety agencies throughout the country. Holder said the grant will save 200 law enforcement jobs throughout the country.