AHOSKIE – Thanks to a grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, the Ahoskie Police Department will soon be able to welcome two additional full-time officers to its payroll.

The grant, which was established to provide assistance to law enforcement agencies with limited personnel to help affect a greater level of service and protection is contingent upon final approval by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program and the department’s compliance with certain safety regulations.

&uot;It’s a sad truth, but our fatality statistics have given us leverage to apply for grant money to help acquire officers dedicated to traffic enforcement,&uot; said Ahoskie Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh.

&uot;However, in order for us to receive the funding, the officers must be certified in standard field sobriety training and radar,&uot; he said.

Fizhugh stated that having these additional officers would mean an increased availability of personnel to handle the enforcement of traffic violations, such as failure to abide by mandated speed limit signs or wear seatbelts leading to an enhanced effectiveness of the department.

&uot;Hopefully, the end result of this grant will translate into a decrease in traffic-related injuries and fatalities,&uot; he said. &uot;Maybe with the help of these officers, we will be able to see a decline in automobile accident statistics. That would certainly be a good thing.&uot;

The Governor’s Highway Safety Program will notify the police department when funds will be made available, at which time, the department will be able to officially seek qualified individuals to fill those positions.