The St. Mary’s County Board of Commissioners authorized the county sheriff’s office Tuesday to submit an application to the 2013 COPS Hiring Program seeking funding for six deputy positions assigned as school resource officers.

Sheriff’s office staff explained the federal COPS application would fund up to 75 percent of salary and fringe costs for new hires for a maximum award of $125,000 per position per year for up to three years. The county’s application requests funding for six deputies and lists a total grant amount of $1,709,442 over the three-year grant period; the board authorized electronic submission and a hard-copy submission at the award stage.

Captain Willingborg and sheriff’s staff told commissioners the positions would be sworn deputy sheriffs (not private security) and that the grant gives extra consideration for designating school resource officers and for veteran preference in hiring. The COPS program requires the county to retain positions for 12 months after the grant period ends.

Commissioner Cynthia L. Jones moved the application authorization; Commissioner Daniel L. Morris seconded. The board approved the motion by unanimous voice vote.

County staff said the application would be submitted electronically and that final award decisions would determine the number of positions funded and the county’s longer-term budget obligations if awards are received.