Federal grant lets Howland hire more cops

Township police also have received two new cars.
HOWLAND -- The township has received a federal grant to hire one additional full-time police officer and six part-time officers.
The $330,222 federal grant will be matched by $175,902 from township trustees, to cover the expense of additional officers for three years.
After that time, the township will be responsible for covering the new full-time officer's salary, said township administrator Darlene St. George.
Part-time officers are paid hourly and scheduled on an as-needed basis, she said. Starting pay for a full-time officer is $26,187.
The COPS grant will bring the total number of full-time Howland officers up to 19.
On Wednesday, the township police department also received two new cruisers, purchased by trustees to replace aging models.
The two 2003 Chevy Impalas cost $50,000, repainted and fully equipped, she said.