Harwood Heights barred from stimulus funds

Harwood Heights is one of three suburban Chicago police departments that have been barred from the $1 billion in federal stimulus funds headed for law enforcement agencies. A total of 26 departments from across the nation have been barred.

Harwood Heights, Calumet Park and Stone Park received funds from the Community Oriented Policing Services program formed in 1995. But their failure to meet the program's guidelines will bar them from stimulus funds.

According to federal officials, Stone Park failed a requirement to retain police officers a year after the COPS grants expired. Calumet Park misspent about $37,500 in money from the program. Harwood Heights misspent $362,000.

Harwood Heights officials declined to comment.