5 new cops due with U.S. grant
Bridgeport getting $375,000

By AARON LEO
Connecticut Post
Saturday, August 21, 2004

BRIDGEPORT - The ranks of the city's finest will be boosted by an infusion of federal money.

The Police Department has been allocated $375,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice to help hire five new officers.

The COPS grant will cover 75 percent of the entry-level salary and benefits of five officers for three years. The officers are expected to be assigned to community policing and homeland security duties.

The grant from the Community Oriented Policing Services Universal Hiring Program of the Department of Justice was announced by U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4.

David Hall, vice president of the city's Board of Police Commissioners, praised the funding. "I think it's excellent. We are short" a full complement of officers, he said.

Mayor John M. Fabrizi also was appreciative.

"I commend Chief [Wilbur L.] Chapman and our men and women in blue for the tremendous job they do every day. The grant will enable us to add five new officers to their ranks," he said.

Shays, a city resident, said police he is "grateful for the support of our police force. More officers means better security in Bridgeport's neighborhoods."

A spokesman for the Police Department was not available Friday afternoon.

The announcement follows Chapman's report to the police board on Tuesday that he wants an exam held for entry-level officers and a promotional test for sergeant within a year.

The department, which has 436 officers, is 53 below its authorized force, Chapman has said. Still, the city's crime rate continues to fall, he said.

The grant was one of 93 disbursed across the nation, totaling $40.1 million for hiring 535 new officers.

Aaron Leo, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6222.