( CNN ) -- The federal government will give $ 1 billion in grants to law enforcement agencies in every state to pay for the hiring and rehiring of law enforcement officers , Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder announced Tuesday . Police officers in Chicago , Illinois , patrol the streets in November 2008 . The money comes from the stimulus bill -- the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 -- the officials said . The law is designed to help pull the U.S. out of its recession by providing and saving jobs , and helping those most affected by the downturn in the economy . Beneficiaries can include state , local and tribal governments . The Department of Justice received more than 7,200 applications for more than 39,000 officer positions , representing a total of $ 8.3 billion in requested funding . `` The tremendous demand for these grants is indicative of both the tough times our states , cities and tribes are facing , and the unyielding commitment by law enforcement to making our communities safer , '' said Attorney General Eric Holder in a statement . Biden spoke of the bravery of police officers who never know when they might be shot , even on a simple call . With rows of police officers standing behind him , he pointed out the hazards and uncertainty of police work . `` It 's just astounding to me how much we take for granted what you do , and thankfully how much you take for granted what you do , '' said Biden . `` We ask you to go out to defend us , and you 're entitled to be equipped to defend us , '' he added . The Recovery Act includes $ 4 billion in Department of Justice grant funding to local law enforcement . Some of this money was distributed to states previously to help crime victims , women who are targets of violence , Internet crimes against children and other needs . The current round of grants will be awarded to 1,046 law enforcement agencies in all 50 states , and will provide 100 percent of the approved salary and benefits for 4,699 officers for three years . Police departments that receive the money must retain the grant-funded positions for a fourth year . The grants will be administered by the U.S. Department of Justice 's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services ( COPS ) . Funding decisions were based on reported crimes for the previous calendar year , community policing activities , budget changes , and poverty , unemployment , and foreclosure rates in the area . `` These officers will go to the places where they are needed the most , '' Holder said . Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey , who attended the news conference , said five police officers were killed in the line of duty in his city between May 3 , 2008 , and February 13 , 2009 . `` So violence is very much a concern here in Philadelphia , '' he said . `` There is far too much violence taking place every day on the streets of our city . '' Pennsylvania plans to create or save 93 law enforcement positions statewide by awarding more than $ 20 million to 19 law enforcement agencies . The Philadelphia Police Department will be able to create and or preserve 50 jobs , according to the statement explaining the grants . Pennsylvania is one of the hardest-hit states in terms of economic decline , officials said . More than 19 percent of the families in Philadelphia live in poverty , and the unemployment rate jumped from 6.4 percent in 2008 to 8.8 percent in 2009 .
Stimulus bill funds will pay for officers in every state . Comment: Grants will be awarded to 1,046 law enforcement agencies . Funding decisions based on reported crimes , economic conditions .