Oregon Public Broadcasting

Some Northwest police chiefs and sheriffs are celebrating, others are disappointed after the White House announced $1 billion in law enforcement grants Tuesday.

This is federal stimulus money -- meant to help cash-strapped police agencies hire officers or avoid lay-offs. Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports.

Fifty-two Washington, Oregon and Idaho police departments and sheriffs' offices will get nearly $30 million.

The money will pay to retain or hire 118 police officers.

Some of the biggest cash recipients are the police departments in Vancouver, Washington; Gresham, Oregon; and Boise, Idaho.

One department that ranked high, but just missed out on funding is Granite Falls, Washington – in the Cascade foothills. Police Chief Tony Domish requested money so he could put an officer back in the schools.

Tony Domish: “It looks like statewide we did pretty well it's just I wish they divided it out a little better.”

Big Northwest cities like Seattle and Portland also missed out on the grant money. The Justice Department received $8 billion in requests – but only had one billion to distribute.

The money will pay full salaries and benefits for officers for three years.

Online:

COPS Grants State Summaries Map