STUART, Iowa — Stuart’s police department is growing, thanks to a federal grant from the Department of Justice.

The Stuart Police Department announced Tuesday that the Stuart City Council voted Monday night to accept a $125,000 grant from the DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing. The grant will be used to help fund a fifth full-time Stuart police officer.

The new officer will help cover extra shifts that existing officers are currently taking on overtime to fill.

The department said, “The addition not only strengthens the department but also helps reduce overtime hours, allowing our team to better balance workload while maintaining strong coverage and response times.”

SPD thanked the council for helping to secure the grant, which will help provide necessary services to Stuart’s citizens as the city continues to expand.