Stimulus keeps 15 Minneapolis officers in uniform

Class of 2009
The Minneapolis Police Academy's class of 2009 pose during their graduation ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009.
MPR Photo/Brandt Williams

Fifteen Minneapolis police officers will be able to stay on the force, thanks in part to federal stimulus funds.

The federal grant was already in hand when the police department sent out 25 layoff notices. They got permission to modify the terms of the grant to pay for 13 police officers including seven new graduates from the academy.

The city's regulatory services department has agreed to pay for the salaries of two more officers - bringing the total of returning officers to 15.

Police Chief Tim Dolan has said he's still trying to find another $1 million to completely rehire all the laid off police officers.

The department has nearly 900 sworn officers and has never laid off sworn officers before.