RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. – In a significant development for local law enforcement, Sheriff Eugene Brantley has revealed that the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a substantial grant of $8.7 million from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

This timely financial boost aims to address an anticipated budget shortfall, as well as rising costs related to salaries and employee benefits. The primary goal of the grant is to maintain current law enforcement staffing levels while bolstering community policing initiatives in Richmond County.

Authorities have detailed that the FY25 COPS Hiring Program grant will fund 40 sworn officer positions, fully covering their salaries and benefits over a three-year span. This strategic move is expected to considerably ease the financial burden on local taxpayers while ensuring a consistent police presence across Augusta Richmond County.

The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that the COPS Hiring Program is specifically crafted to expand community policing capabilities. It aims to enhance problem-solving strategies, forge stronger partnerships with neighborhoods and stakeholders, and bolster long-term crime prevention efforts. The deputies hired under this program will focus on proactive patrols, community engagement, and addressing quality of life issues, aligning with nationally recognized community policing standards.

The Sheriff’s Office adds that the COPS Hiring Program is specifically designed to increase community policing capacity, promote problem solving strategies, strengthen partnerships with neighborhoods and stakeholders, and enhance long term crime prevention efforts, and the deputies hired through this grant will be focused on proactive patrol, community engagement, and quality of life issues, consistent with nationally recognized community policing principles.

“This grant is a critical investment in public safety and in our community,” Sheriff Brantley said. “At a time when local governments across the country are facing budget constraints, this funding allows us to maintain and strengthen law enforcement services without shifting additional costs onto our citizens. This grant along with our HEAT grant and Equipment grant we have obtained this year are helping us achieve our goals.”

Sheriff Brantley emphasized that while the COPS grant is not a permanent solution, it serves as an important short term stop gap measure to stabilize staffing levels while long term funding strategies are developed.

“This funding helps us bridge a gap that many law enforcement agencies are facing nationwide,” Sheriff Brantley said. “It allows us to continue serving our community safely and effectively while we work with our local partners to address sustainable staffing solutions. Our goal has always been to balance responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars with the obligation to keep our neighborhoods safe. This grant allows us to do both.”