CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey’s most crime-ridden city is receiving federal grant money that will allow it to rehire 14 laid-off police officers.

Federal authorities said Wednesday that Camden is among 12 communities in the state that will share in nearly $21 million over three years to help restore police department cuts due to budget problems.

Camden laid off about half of its police force in January, along with one-third of its firefighters. It’s receiving a $3.8 million grant.

The city had already secured state and other federal money to bring back 74 of the 168 officers who were laid off.

Authorities said the grant won’t affect planning to reorganize the city’s police force so that it becomes part of a countywide agency. Police unions oppose the plan.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.