Five Maine police agencies have been selected to share a $625,000 federal grant that they will use to hire five new officers.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office will use its share of the grant to hire a school resource officer for the town of Gray.

Fort Kent, Norway, Old Town and Winslow will also receive funds from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The $625,000 is part of a $107 million grant that will be awarded to police departments across the nation through the COPS Hiring Program. The purpose is to help build community trust, reduce violence and protect schools. The program provides salaries and benefits for three years.

“These grants are not simply about putting more officers on the street. They are about expanding the capacity of law enforcement agencies to engage in community policing,” said Ronald L. Davis, director of the COPS Office, in a press release.


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