Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) announced a $375,000 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to the Washington Township Police Department to hire additional officers and fulfill the department’s staffing levels.

The COPS grant program advances community policing across the country and provides funding to law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties of protecting and serving the public, reducing crime, and building trust in the community.

“Public safety remains one of my top priorities in Congress, and I am proud to have worked with our local leaders in Washington Township to secure this vital funding to hire more police officers and keep our communities safe,” Rep. Norcross said. “This funding will expand the department’s community policing and crime prevention efforts, decrease response times, and improve the quality of service throughout Washington Township. I will continue to fight for increased funding and resources in Congress to improve South Jersey’s public safety and quality of life.”

According to Washington Township Police Department, the average police department in the United States has on average 2.7 officers per thousand residents with departments in New Jersey averaging 3.3 police officers per thousand residents. However, Washington Township has only 1.64 officers per thousand residents, one of the lowest rates in the country.

“Washington Township, Gloucester County is truly grateful for the opportunity to apply for and to be awarded the 2023 Cops hiring program grant in the amount of $375000. This grant will help support the funding of the hiring of new law enforcement officers to increase the community policing capacity and overall safety of our town. We could not have done this without the continued support of our state and local officials. Much appreciated,” said. Washington Township Mayor Joann Gattinelli.

The COPS grant will allow the Washington Township Police Department to hire additional career police officers in the face of increased calls for service.

"I am extremely excited to learn that we were awarded the grant. The funding will put 3 additional police officers on the street and help carry out our Community Caretaking mission in Washington Township,” Washington Township Chief of Police Patrick Gurcsik said. “Huge thanks to Congressman Norcross for supporting our Community Caretaking efforts making Washington Township a safe place to live, work and play."

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