U.S. Rep Larry Kissell announced an estimated 411 new police officers will be joining the ranks of law enforcement in North Carolina’s 8th District during the next five years through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Improvement Act passed by Congress April 23.

Kissell did not if any of the new positions would come to law enforcment in Scotland County may receive.

The program provides more than $1.25 billion in funding for departments to hire more officers as part of the Recovery Act passed in February.

“Officers on the street are the most important part of keeping a community safe for our citizens, Kissell said in a statement. "Most of our departments are short-handed and in desperate need of more officers to keep up with the demand. This helps ease some of the burden,” Kissell said. “This type of funding is why I voted for the Recovery Act. It helps bring funds back home where we really need them.”

The funding will provide help in the funding gaps as local officials struggle with budgetary constraints.