Rep. Courtney, Mayor Passero Welcome New Federal Funding to Bolster Community Oriented Policing in New London
NEW LONDON, CT—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) and New London Mayor Michael Passero welcomed home a new federal grant award that will support de-escalation training and other community policing practices at the New London Police Department. Courtney announced that the City of New London will receive a federal grant award totaling $70,402 through the Community Policing Development (CPD) program, operated by the U.S. Department of Justice office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).
"Our Police and Fire Departments routinely respond to emergencies involving people in emotional distress that could easily escalate into dangerous situations for the victim and the first responders," said Mayor Passero. "De-escalation training is crucial to prepare our police officers to better deal with these situations, creating a safer situation for all involved. The city is deeply appreciative to our federal delegation for assisting us in receiving this crucial aid."
"Congratulations to the New London Police Department and to the City of New London on this timely, much needed federal grant award—this is a win for our police officers, and for the communities that depend on them," said Rep. Courtney. "The pandemic presented a lot of new challenges, but it also fueled older problems, like America's lagging state of mental health care and the nationwide addiction crisis. Police officers perform difficult, often dangerous work in our communities, and more and more often they're being called on to serve as a resource to deal with problems arising from addiction, and from unaddressed mental and behavioral issues. In interactions like these and many others, de-escalation is what can help keep our officers safe, and keep their work most effective. This federal funding is specifically meant to help improve and expand de-escalation training at the New London Police Department, and will support our local police officers' work to protect our communities."
The City of New London will receive a grant award totaling $70,402 through the DOJ's COPS office to support de-escalation training and other community policing practices at the New London Police Department. The funding is authorized through the federal CPD program, which is mean to support promising community policing strategies through the development and testing of innovative strategies; build knowledge about effective practices and outcomes; and support new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities.
Today's funding announcement comes on the heels of National Community Policing Week, October 3rd – 9th, and as the country continues to see a sharp rise in demand for mental and behavioral health services. Just last week, Courtney visited two community health centers in eastern Connecticut—including United Community and Family Health Services in Norwich—that reported seeing increases of more than 100% in the number of clients they've been receiving for treatment. The COPS CPD program was established to help promote community policing and de-escalation training, and to embed mental and behavioral health services with law enforcement through efforts like Crisis Intervention Teams.
Click here to read more about the new round of grant awards made through the CPD program to support community policing nationwide.
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