WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Wichita Police Department is seeking approval from the city to apply for a federal grant to hire 50 new officers to serve the broader downtown area in a community policing capacity.
The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) uses federal money to cover up to 75% of officers’ salaries for three years, with municipalities required to pay the remaining 25%. After that period, the city must fully fund the positions without federal support. The grant is specifically geared toward supporting community policing efforts.
WPD Capt. Aaron Moses said that if the department secures the funding, the city would implement “alternative methods of patrol” downtown to increase visibility, including foot patrols, bicycles and smaller vehicles…