LAURIUM — The Laurium Police Department has received a grant from the Michigan Dept. of Treasury for its first responder training and recruitment.

A Monday release from the village of Laurium stated the grant award totals $74, 587.61.

Village Police Chief, Kurt Erkkila, said the money will allow the department to provide additional training to its officers.

“The money will allow us to train beyond the minimum standards,” said Erkkila, “and gives us an opportunity to send two candidates to the police academy at a time, when there are more officer positions available than officers.”

Erkkila said he is hopeful that the funding will help a vacant officer position within the department.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Jan. 3, 2022 announced the launch of a $5 million grant program to assist local governments in addressing critical needs in recruiting and training first responders.

Out of the $5 million appropriated for the First Responder Training and Recruitment Grant Program, $2 million were designated for communities with a per capita property value of less than $15,000.

As a part of the First Responder Training and Recruitment Grant Program, all Michigan cities, villages, townships, counties or fire authorities are eligible to apply for a grant up to $100,000 related to first responder training and recruitment.

First responders are police officers, firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), paramedics and local unit of government corrections officers.

“First responders are on the front lines of our health and our safety, and are always there for us when we need them the most,” Whitmer said in a Jan. 3 release. “We have to work together to put them first. We must find ways to recruit and train the next generation these real-life community heroes today so they can be there for us tomorrow. With these new grants, we can hire more law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and local corrections officers to keep us all safe.”

The First Responder Training Recruitment Grant program is intended to support local governments in expanding recruitment, improve training, and provide development and support to first responders.

The Laurium Village release stated that in addition to expanding recruitment and advertising for the open officer position, as well as funding two candidates for the police academy and additional training for current officers, the grant money will allow for the purchase of needed equipment and supplies.