Iowa using $10M in virus aid to fund state police officers
By RYAN J. FOLEYDecember 15, 2020 GMT
FILE- In this Nov. 19, 2020, file photo, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds updates the state s response to the coronavirus outbreak during a news conference in Johnston, Iowa. Reynolds’ administration is using $10 million in federal pandemic relief funds to pay the salaries of state police officers, who have played only a small role in Iowa s virus response. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
FILE- In this Nov. 19, 2020, file photo, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds updates the state s response to the coronavirus outbreak during a news conference in Johnston, Iowa. Reynolds’ administration is using $10 million in federal pandemic relief funds to pay the salaries of state police officers, who have played only a small role in Iowa s virus response. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Ryan J. Foley
Associated Press
Gov. Kim Reynolds’ administration is using $10 million in federal pandemic relief funds to pay the salaries of state police officers, who have played only a small role in Iowa s virus response.
The expense is listed in a state report as going toward “State Government COVID staffing” at the Iowa Department of Public Safety. The report claims the money will support payroll expenses for employees “whose services were diverted to a substantially different use as a result of COVID-19.”
Department spokeswoman Debra McClung said the money is predominantly supporting salary costs for its roughly 550 sworn officers, who include road troopers and criminal investigators. They have largely carried on their routine duties during the pandemic, including enforcing traffic laws and helping local police investigate crimes.
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