EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- The City of El Paso has received a $2.25 million federal grant to hire new police officers and support community policing efforts.

The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program.

The grant will enable the El Paso Police Department to enhance public safety initiatives, reduce response times, and continue investing in programs that build trust between officers and the community, the City said in its news release.

“This investment represents a major step forward in our ongoing efforts to keep El Paso one of the safest large cities in the country,” Mayor Renard Johnson said. “We are grateful to our federal partners for their continued support and advocacy on behalf of our community. I especia

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