PORTLAND — The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services is awarding more than $650,000 to fund five positions for school resource officer positions in four communities.

U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty II said the grants are part of more than $125 million awarded to 263 municipalities and counties to create 937 law enforcement positions. Those include 356 school resource officers.

In Maine, Auburn will receive $250,000 for two officers, while Mexico will receive $156,071 and Hampden and Topsham will both receive $125,000 for one officer apiece.

Attorney General Eric Holder said the hiring of school resource officers is part of an effort “to take all possible steps to ensure that our kids are safe when they go to school.”


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