On November 2, 2023, 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 bolster law enforcement in San Antonio. These funds have been 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.
The City of San Antonio will allocate $6,250,000 from the COPS Hiring Program to recruit 50 new police officers, enhancing the city's law enforcement capabilities. Additionally, $69,726 from the LEMHWA Program will be used to enhance the delivery and accessibility of mental health and wellness services for law enforcement personnel.
Dr. Cuellar, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, expressed his dedication to supporting local law enforcement agencies, stating, "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. We're seeing the results of that today right here in San Antonio. 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."
Congressman Tony Gonzales emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement, saying, "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. 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."
