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Police departments around Arizona can hire new officers thanks to a grant from the U.S. Justice Department. It is the first time some cities are able to expand their police departments since the recession. The Justice Department doled out almost $300 million so cities can hire more than 1,000 “community-oriented” police officers nationwide. Here in Arizona, Tucson, Glendale, Peoria and Phoenix are among cities that will receive money. Phoenix will get almost $2 million to hire 15 new officers. 

City Councilmember Michael Nowakowski said the Phoenix officers will focus on school security. 

“Where you have high crime or murders at schools, and the chief says we could set up areas or zones where these officers can not only patrol one school but various schools in that area,” said Nowakowski.

Tucson is among the top five cities nationally that received the most money, and it will hire 50 new officers.