Charles Town Police Department receives DOJ funds

CHARLES TOWN — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito announced Thursday that the Charles Town Police Department was one of three police departments in the state to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The funds were secured through Congressionally Directed Spending requests made by the senator and will be used to upgrade equipment, facilities, training and security resources for the departments, as well as for WVU at Potomac State, which also received funding.

Charles Town Police Chief Chris Kutcher shared that he had worked with Matt Ward and Sustainable Strategies to seek the funding for upgrades and new technology and safety equipment purchases.

“These funds will help cover the cost of additional equipment for our officers, including ballistic shields, tire deflation systems, first aid trauma kits and AEDs,” Kutcher said.

He explained that while the department has some of this equipment, not every cruiser is equipped.

“This will allow each officer to have the equipment in their hands for immediate use,” he added.

In addition, the funds will help cover the costs of upfitting future cruisers with advanced technology equipment.

Capito’s office issued a statement highlighting that the funding will assist with upgrading technology tools, including new Mobile Police Offices in cruisers that could consist of upgrades with laptops, mobile printers, radar and other communications equipment, as well as first aid safety supplies.

“West Virginia’s police officers show up to work every day to keep our communities and families safe. I was proud to secure these resources that will help officers more efficiently perform their duty of protecting and serving,” Capito said. “By equipping the Charles Town Police Department with the tools they need in the field, they can better respond to emergencies.”

“We truly appreciate the senator’s efforts to secure this funding,” Kutcher said. “It will be a huge benefit not only to our department, but to the citizens we serve. It will allow our officers to continue to do their jobs efficiently and effectively.”