Lavonia Police Department Awarded $250,000 Grant to Hire More Officers

The Lavonia Police Department is set to receive a $250,000.00 grant from the US Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services or COPS program to hire two new police officers

Lavonia Police Shane Edmisten made the announcement Monday.

Their award is part of the $334 million dollars awarded to law enforcement departments across the country for new officers.

Edmisten said the grant will be awarded over a three-year period.

He said Lavonia Mayor Courtney Umbehant and the City Council are strong public safety supporters and want to ensure the department has the resources required to be the best in the State of Georgia.

However, Edmisten added that since the grant is the first large DOJ COPS grant his department has ever received, the City must now determine how it will provide the necessary matching funds.

“We are excited to be able to accept these grants and expect to utilize the additional officers to keep our community safe and allow our officers to remain engaged,” said Mayor Umbehant. “Our officers are committed to serving citizens of Lavonia and the State of Georgia with honesty, professionalism, and integrity.”

The Lavonia Police Department is accepting applications for POST-certified police officers through the end of the year.

A link to the application page can be found online at Officer Application