NC’s largest city wants 150 cops with stimulus
CHARLOTTE — The largest city in North Carolina says it wants enough federal stimulus money to add 150 new police officers over the next three years.
The Charlotte Observer reported that the City Council’s decision Monday to ask for nearly $24 million is a reduction from the original plan, since the city would have to pay the officers when the funds end.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Chief Rodney Monroe said it makes sense to scale back the request to something affordable. Monroe had said in February he wanted to hire 250 officers over two years using stimulus money.
Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess said the city should stick with the higher number.
City Manager Curt Walton said 150 new officers is what the city can afford.
Monroe has made putting more officers on the street a priority since taking over as chief in June.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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