The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a Community Oriented Police Services grant from the U.S. Dept. of Justice to fund six deputy sheriff positions.

The sheriff may use grant funds to hire military veterans or rehire laid-off officers, according to rules of the grant.

“This is good news and a great opportunity to support our military veterans and improve public safety,” said Sheriff Steve Boyer, who described the grant award announcement as a “quiet, but very much appreciated surprise.”

More than $111 million is being awarded to public safety agencies. In Western Washington, both Clallam and Kitsap Counties won. Grant winning cities include Burien, Tacoma and Port Townsend Police Departments.

The estimated amount of federal dollars expected in Kitsap County, during the three-year grant period, is $750,000. One requirement of the grant is that the the county is expected to match it to a certain level.

“I’m very pleased that the U. S. Department of Justice has recognized the exceptional work accomplished by our deputies and detectives and their involvement with on-going community oriented policing concepts,” added Sheriff Boyer. “Since the economic downturn this agency has lost 35 positions.  We’ve been reduced to an almost impossible staffing ratio. The thin blue line is in jeopardy of becoming a thinner blue dash line.  But the men and women of your sheriff’s office have persevered.  This award reflects well on their efforts.”

In all, the COPS grant funding awards for 2012 will go to more than 220 cities and counties across the country and is aimed at creating or saving approximately 800 law enforcement positions.