Waynesville chases federal grant to expand police force

Paul Nielsen, The Mountaineer, Waynesville, N.C.
·2 min read

Apr. 29—Waynesville is seeking money from the federal government to beef up the town's police department.

Town council unanimously gave Police Chief David Adams the green light during Tuesday's town council meeting to apply for a U.S. Department of Justice COPS grant. If successful, it would add two new police officers to the department, with a portion of their salaries covered.

The COPS grant would cover 75% of the officers' salaries for three years, with the town paying the remaining 25%. After the grant expires the town is expected to retain the two officers, but it is not a requirement for receiving the grant.

The department has 41 sworn officers and has not added any new officer positions in several years. Adams said the grant would be a good way to put additional officers on the street who are needed anyway and would enhance the speed and efficiency of the department's patrol division.

"With future growth coming to Waynesville with all the new housing and apartments, we need an additional two officers for the next two to three years," Adams said.

An entry level Waynesville police officer currently makes $50,553 a year with benefits so the town's share would be $12,276 per year for each of the two police officers.

The federal COPS program has been around for decades and has helped police departments across the country fund additional officers. Town Manager Rob Hites said the current COPS grant program is a more generous version than past opportunities.

Hites said if the police department is awarded the grant that the town may have to purchase two additional patrol cars.

"The old grant was a three-year grant that started at 75%, then moved to 50% and 25% in the next two years," Hites said. "This funds it at 75% for three years. Should the town receive the grant, they may eventually need to purchase two vehicles for the employees."

Mayor Gary Caldwell described the COPS grant opportunity as attractive and said the town needs to "make a move on it."

"We very seldom see a grant that is 75%," Caldwell said. "It is usually about 50%, or something like that."

Council Member Julia Freeman also voiced strong support for seeking the grant and urged the town to lobby U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards and U.S. Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd to support the town's effort in securing the federal money.

"It makes a huge difference to make those contacts as this application process proceeds," Freeman said. "I'm 100% behind anything we can do."