Youngstown will hire three to four new police officers

Youngstown officials will use an $80,000 state grant and money originally allocated to pay for the police department’s overtime budget to hire three to four officers in the next few months.

Mayor Jay Williams had expected $100,000 to $150,000 from the state for new hires, but said he’s “appreciative” for the $80,000.

If all goes well, the new hires would be on the force in the next two to three months, Williams said.

Between salary, benefits, background checks and training expenses, it will cost the city about $30,000 for each officer for what’s left of this year after being hired, Williams said today.

The rest of the money for the new hires will come from the existing police budget, Williams said.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com.