A bill introduced by a New York lawmaker on Capitol Hill yesterday would allow the police department to put more manpower into counterterrorism initiatives.

Rep. Anthony Weiner, a Democrat who represents parts of Queens and Brooklyn, is proposing legislation to increase funding for a federal program, Community Oriented Policing Services. If passed, the program will provide the city’s police department with $250 million in grants during the next six years to pay police officers, a spokesman for the congressman, Andrew Koneschusky, said.

While the bill stipulates that the money must be used to hire new officers, it includes a provision that allows the department to bolster the salaries of officers currently working in counterterrorism.

“It’s a provision for big cities that gives flexibility,” Mr. Koneschusky said.

The police commissioner, Raymond Kelly, has spoken out in the past about a lack of federal counterterrorism funding aimed at policing the streets. Mr. Weiner’s bill could ease some of those concerns.

While Mr. Koneschusky said Mr. Kelly was supportive when the congressman secured $5 million for the city through the program in January, a spokesman for the police department, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne, said the department does not comment on pending legislation.

Mr. Weiner estimates that the program would permit the city to apply for 3,500 three-year grants, which would be used to pay officers $25,000 a year. The grants could be renewed after the three-year period.

The police department would be expected to pay for the salaries of police officers who make more than $25,000. The starting salary for police officers in New York City is $25,100 a year.