The Saginaw Police Department’s two newest officers began this July 1st, which brings its total number of officers to 61.

The growth is all thanks to a new partnership between the department and Covenant Healthcare. Last year, the hospital on Saginaw’s west side partnered with the Police Department to fund hiring two new officers who would provide a police presence on the medical campus.

This year, that number is doubled- the hospital will be funding four city officers.Covenant spokeswoman Kristin Knoll says the officers will provide an increased sense of security while also providing more backup should an emergency occur elsewhere in the city.

Hospital Security Manager Joseph Dutoi says in addition to the added officers the hospital plans to seek funding to add an explosives detection dog to the Saginaw K-9 Unit, which currently only handles drug detection.