LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is seeking federal funding through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program to support five new full-time officer positions dedicated to youth intervention and outreach. If awarded, the grant would bring expanded community policing resources focused on mentoring, violence prevention and proactive engagement with local youth—building stronger connections between officers and the next generation across Charles County.
Presented to the Board of County Commissioners during their June 10 meeting, the application seeks to enhance the department’s Community Services Division by expanding its ability to provide programs focused on youth engagement, violence prevention and mentorship. According to a letter from Sheriff Troy D. Berry, the five proposed officers would be “directly involved in developing, sourcing and operating these youth programs and intervention initiatives” if awarded funding.
The COPS Hiring Program provides up to 75 percent of entry-level salary and fringe benefits for each officer over a three-year grant period, with a maximum federal contribution of $125,000 per officer. As a condition of the award, participating agencies must retain each officer for an additional 12 months after the three-year funding period ends, using local funds. This results in a four-year total commitment per officer position.
Charles County would be responsible for at least 25 percent of the total cost, and the sheriff’s office estimates a $1.3 million local funding commitment over four years to support the five positions and meet federal retention and match requirements.
Although the application is being submitted in FY2025, the officers would not be hired until FY2027, as grant decisions are not expected until fall 2025—placing the funding timeline beyond the county’s current FY2026 budget cycle.
Captain Caroline Baker and Deputy Budget Director Erin Shoemaker presented the request to the commissioners, who approved moving forward with the application.
Watch the June 10 BOCC meeting on CCGTV.
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