NASHUA — The local police department has been awarded a $52,000 grant to continue important community policing initiatives in the city, according to authorities.

On Thursday, the aldermanic Human Affairs Committee accepted and appropriated a 2012 Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $52,083 from the U.S. Department of Justice.

“We are going to try to stretch out the funds,” said Officer Jeff Connors of the Nashua Police Department, explaining it will be used for many programs.

The grant will allow the department's Citizen Police Academy to continue. Since its inception more than two decades ago, more than 900 residents have graduated from the academy.

The money will also allow the department to continue offering Rape, Aggression and Defense (RAD) classes for women, and provide extra detectives to perform additional sex offender compliance checks, according to Connors.

With any remaining funds, the department is hoping to upgrade some of its dive team equipment, and perhaps buy an in-cruiser video system, he said.

The amount of justice assistance grants have decreased in recent years, said Connors. But money remains available to continue worthwhile projects for police and local residents.

Alderman Diane Sheehan, Ward 3, praised the department for its RAD program and Citizen Police Academy, saying that she has heard good things about both endeavors.

The Human Affairs Committee also accepted a separate, $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for the Greater Nashua Mental Health Center's Safe Havens program, which provides supervised visitation and safe exchanges for children who are in the midst of custody arrangements with parents.

“I support this. I think it is a good program,” Sheehan said this week, adding it is beneficial to children caught in the middle of custody battles.

Her fellow alderman, June Caron, Ward 7, agreed. If it helps families stay connected through troubling times, the Safe Havens programs is a worthy cause, Caron said.

khoughton@newstote.com