BOARDMAN, Ohio - The Boardman Police Department is among a dozen law enforcement agencies to receive grant money to boost recruitment efforts with support from the Ohio Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment.

The Boardman Police Department received a grant of $25,000, which will be used to host various recruitment fairs to attract more female and minority job candidates. The events will be held in collaboration with community partners.

Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine prioritized the creation of the Ohio Law Enforcement Recruitment Grant Program in the state's 2022-23 operating budget passed by the Ohio General Assembly in 2021.

The grant program totals $1 million over two years, with the remaining funds being offered in the fiscal year of 2023.

The first round of funding totals $424,871 with 13 recruitment grants going to 12 different agencies throughout Ohio.