RUMFORD – The grant was less than half what was asked for, but it will provide a good start toward the Rumford Police Department’s beefed-up efforts to prevent domestic abuse.

Chief Stacy Carter was notified Wednesday that the department will receive a $22,872 grant from the federal STOP Violence Against Women Act, which is administered by the Maine Department of Public Safety. Just over $1 million was granted to 29 state organizations and law enforcement agencies this year.

Although this is the ninth year of the program, this is the first time the Rumford Police Department has applied for funds, said Carter, who became chief less than a year ago.

The funds will help pay for a part-time officer who will devote his time to domestic abuse matters for the towns of Rumford, Mexico and Dixfield.

Carter had applied for $56,000 so that a full-time officer could be hired.

“We’ll make the best out of it,” he said Wednesday afternoon.

He said the grant proposal will have to be rethought. He’s still working out the details of the position, which will likely come from within the department. A reserve officer will be used to replace that officer.

He plans to go before selectmen in the three towns to discuss the position and focus on the matching funds required for the grant. The matching funds had been in the form of office space, fuel costs, and other nondirect monetary items.

Carter said if the local program is successful, he can apply for two more years of funding. He intends to ask for money to support a full-time position.

The grant runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2007.

According to a press release issued by Gov. John Baldacci’s office, 5,459 cases of domestic assault were reported to Maine police in 2005, including 322 cases of rape and sexual assault. Domestic violence accounts for more than 50 percent of Maine homicides.

Carter didn’t know precise figures for the River Valley area, but he said domestic assault is a significant problem.

“I am certain the grant will have a positive effect. With a good program, more victims may come forward and initially we may see a rise in the numbers, then with strong prosecution, a reduction,” he said.