By David Madden

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) — The City of Trenton, NJ is welcoming back 18 police officers who were part of a massive layoff this time last year.

In addition, 14 staffers previously demoted are being restored to supervisory positions.

More than 100 cops were let go a year ago in an economy move (see previous story).  Since then, New Jersey’s capital city has seen an uptick in crime, like many other urban areas in the state.

A $3.1-million federal grant, plus the filling of posts of some who left the force, has allowed Trenton police director Ralph Rivera Jr. to bring the department up to 241 staffers in all.

“It’s a wonderful thing that we have these officers coming back,” Rivera tells KYW Newsradio, “because it’s just additional forces to combat the issues that we’re facing here on a daily basis.”

All but three of the returning officers are now back on the job.  The remainder will be sworn in over the next couple of weeks.

Rivera is particularly glad to get two lieutenants and a dozen sergeants back in supervisory roles.  The leadership ranks were reduced by almost two thirds in last year’s layoffs, he says, leaving many officers on the street without proper direction.