One of the three police officers whose jobs were cut due to budget shortfalls earlier this year will return to the job.

The township was able to retain the three cops' jobs for three months through a Department of Justice JAG grant. The township applied for an additional federal police officer retention grant to permanently keep the officers, but the application was denied. The town was able to rehire the officer, Justin Moen, after another left the force.

"We were able to bring him back on only because one cop resigned," Maplewood Mayor Vic De Luca said.

The outgoing policeman, De Luca said, was leaving law enforcement to go into teaching.

Another one of the three Maplewood cops whose jobs were cut previously found work with the Passaic County Sheriff's Department. De Luca said the town may be able to rehire the third officer when a currently active police officer retires later this year.

The Township Committee voting unanimously to rehire Moen at their Sep. 15 meeting.