North Las Vegas gets $1.6 million to hire more cops

North Las Vegas received a pleasant surprise from the Department of Justice this week: money to pay 13 new patrol officers.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford and North Las Vegas Mayor John J. Lee together announced Wednesday the city had received the $1.6 million federal grant.

The police department has 262 officers but that’s down more than 40 jobs compared to five years ago, according to North Las Vegas police spokesman Aaron Patty. The department hasn’t hired during that time.

The application process began immediately, Patty said, and the department hopes to start applicants in a police academy at the beginning of next year.

The grant came from the COPS Hiring Program, which awards funding to law enforcement agencies.

“The Department of Justice continues to support the efforts of law enforcement in Nevada,” U.S. Attorney Bogden said in a news release. “This program is specifically designed to advance public safety through community policing, including the hiring of school police officers or school resource officers. Bullying, stalking and other interpersonal crimes affect our children at an alarming rate, making these positions more important than ever.”

Money also was awarded to the Elko County Sheriff’s Office and the city of Elko.

Contact reporter Annalise Little at alittle@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0391. Find her on Twitter: @annalisemlittle.