SRU receives state grant to recruit campus police officers

Slippery Rock University received $21,000 through Pennsylvania’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help recruit police officers on campus.

Dec. 15, 2023

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Slippery Rock University is one of 93 nonprofit organizations in the state to receive funding through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The PCCD, chaired by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, recently approved $19 million in funding that includes a $21,000 grant to SRU for recruiting police officers on campus.

The grant program is intended to keep Pennsylvanians safe and provide critical support for safety and security improvements for nonprofit organizations across the state. The SRU Police Department is one of 20 law enforcement agencies to receive one of these grants.

SRU will use the money to improve its recruiting efforts and incentives for police officers. This could include paying tuition for police academy, resources to visit academies to recruit officers, and offsetting equipment costs for new hires.

"Many law enforcement agencies are finding it more difficult to recruit officers, and grants like this will help expand our pool of applicants," said Chief Kevin Sharkey, director of SRU's Police Department. "We're grateful for this support because it helps us continue to fulfill our mission to protect and serve our campus."

SRU joins 488 entities that have received nearly $20 million total in funding since the program was started in 2020.

More information about the grant is available on the Pennsylvania Government website.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 |   justin.zackal@sru.edu