Santa Ana Council OKs Plan to Add 15 Patrol Officers

The City Council has approved a plan for the Police Department to add 15 street patrol officers, whose positions will be funded with a $1.7-million federal Department of Justice grant designed to encourage community-oriented policing.

The city will put up about $527,000 in matching funds for the project and the hiring process for the new officers will begin immediately, the report stated.

At its meeting on Monday night, the City Council acknowledged the receipt of the funds, which were made available through the Violent Crime Enforcement Act of 1994.

“This is great that we’re going to be able to provide additional protection. We should thank the federal government for allowing us to do this,” Councilwoman Patricia McGuigan said.

The grant is part of the Community Oriented Policing Services Program, which is designed to increase the number of sworn personnel, reduce crime and other related problems nationwide, according to a report to the board.