U.S. Aids in Hiring of 4 New Officers

For the second consecutive year, the city has received $300,000 in federal money to help pay the salaries and benefits of four cops hired last year, officials said Monday.

The funding is part of a three-year, $17.6-million plan started by the U.S. Justice Department in 1999 titled “Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring.”

“The plan is to put more police on the streets,” said Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley), whose office made the announcement. The money has been used to hire more than 200 peace officers in 70 cities nationwide.

Camarillo is the only city in the county that received the funding, which allowed authorities to hire three new deputies and a detective last year, bringing the total sworn force to 48.

Camarillo contracts for police services with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. The federal money covers about 75% of the costs for the four employees. The remainder is covered by the city.