Record requests for aid to avoid police layoffs

By DEVLIN BARRETT Associated Press Writer Jul 2nd, 2009 | WASHINGTON -- The nation's police departments are clamoring for an unprecedented amount of federal aid to forestall big local tax hikes or the possible layoff of nearly 40,000 police officers -- enough to staff the entire New York City Police Department. When President Barack Obama signed the huge economic stimulus bill earlier this year, $1 billion was set aside to help local and state police avoid layoffs or keep their police academy classes intact. The response has been staggering: Departments applied for more than $8.3 billion in aid, meaning only a fraction of the demand can actually be met. July will be a nervous month for mayors and police commanders as they await official word on how much aid they will get from the grant program known as COPS. The first award... [read full story]                    

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