BRIDGEPORT, CT – The City of Bridgeport will hire 20 additional police officers as a result of a grant from the Recovery Act, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4), Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, and Police Chief Joe Gaudett announced today. The Bridgeport Police Department is now recruiting to fill these 20 open positions. Interested applicants should contact the City of Bridgeport Police Academy by e-mail at bptctpd.academy@bridgeportct.gov.

“We’re going to see 20 additional officers on the streets right here in Bridgeport because of the Recovery Act: that’s 20 more officers to keep us safe and 20 new, good-paying jobs,” said Congressman Himes. “Safety is critical to a thriving Bridgeport. As reduced revenues strain local budgets, we can’t put public safety on the chopping block.”

The grant provides 100 percent of the salary and benefits for 20 entry-level officer positions over a three-year period.  Awards were made on a competitive basis and are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) through the federal agency’s COPS Hiring Recovery Program.

“Public safety is my number-one priority,” said Mayor Finch. “Bridgeport is one of the safest cities in the state and we want to keep it that way. This grant will enable us to put 20 more officers, who are representative of our community, on the street to help keep our residents safe.”

Following the announcement, the Congressman joined a member of the Bridgeport Police Department on patrol.