CPD awarded $1.27M in grants to hire additional officers

The Charleston Police Department is beefing up its numbers to reduce violence after receiving three grants worth over $1.2 million.

The grants, totaling just over $1.27 million, will allow the department to hire 10 additional police officers and enhance its violence reduction initiatives.

A grant worth $1 million was awarded by the Department of Justice Office of Community Orient Policing Services, and will go towards hiring eight officers for the Department's Community Action Team initiative.

The second grant, worth $227,950, will be used to hire two DUI enforcement officers. This grant was awarded by the South Carolina Department of Safety.

The third grant is for $42,097, and will be used to enhance the department's violence reduction initiatives. This money, also awarded by the DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, will specifically be used for the Friday Nigh Lights program.

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