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Congressman Paul Hodes urged the US Senate to embrace a proposed expansion for the federal COPS program, claiming it would put an additional 223 officers on the street.

"Now more than ever, we need to make sure that our law enforcement officials have the tools they need to crack down on crime," Hodes, a Democrat, said with two police chiefs at his side for a news conference Monday.

"As a former prosecutor, I know the first step to a successful prosecution starts with hard-working law enforcement officers. You can’t be tough on crime when you don’t give our law enforcement officers the tools to go after those that prey on our children, our families and our seniors."

Last month, the House approved expansion of Community Oriented Policing Services. Hodes said since its inception in 1994, it has led to hiring 500 police officers in NH cities and towns.

Hodes has already declared he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2010.