Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (D-TX-28), U.S. Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23), and the San Antonio Congressional Delegation announced $6,319,726 in federal funds to hire police officers and improve law enforcement mental health in San Antonio. The funds were provided by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) Hiring Program and the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program.

Specifically, the City of San Antonio will use $6,250,000 from the COPS Hiring Program to hire 50 officers, and $69,726 from the LEMHWA Program to improve delivery and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement.

“The COPS Hiring Program provides our local law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to protect our communities, and the LEMHWA Program ensures they have access to mental health care. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to keep both these programs fully funded. We’re seeing the results of that today right here in San Antonio,” said Dr. Cuellar. “I stand with the men and women in blue, and I will continue to provide them with the resources they need to do their jobs well. Thank you to my fellow Appropriator, Congressman Tony Gonzales, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, City Manager Erik Walsh, Chief of Police William McManus, and all my colleagues in the San Antonio Congressional Delegation for working with me to secure these federal dollars.”

“Reducing crime in our communities starts with backing law enforcement with the resources they need. I’ve been a proud supporter of the COPS grant program and am pleased that San Antonio will receive the maximum grant amount this year to hire additional police officers,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “This new funding is a testament to the strong partnership of the San Antonio delegation at all levels of government, and I look forward to seeing our communities become safer as a result.”

To learn more about the COPS Hiring Program and the LEMHWA Program, click here.

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