Problem Solvers Endorse Bill to Bolster Police Officer Recruitment and Retention
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act, legislation that will expand the impact of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program by allowing recruitment and retention bonuses.
Currently, the COPS Hiring Program provides grant funding to local law enforcement agencies to hire law enforcement officers. The Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act would expand the COPS Hiring Program to allow local law enforcement agencies to utilize program grant funds for recruitment and retention bonuses. The legislation would also modify the program to extend grant application validity from one year to five years to reduce the administrative and cost burdens faced by law enforcement agencies through the current annual application process.
The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representatives Greg Landsman (OH-01), Max Miller (OH-07), Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13), and Mike Carey (OH-15) and has 46 additional cosponsors, including 24 Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. It was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives Landsman and Don Bacon (NE-02).
“To keep people safe, communities need help recruiting and retaining police officers – and this bipartisan bill will make a huge difference,” said Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01).
“Retention of law enforcement officers is just as important as recruitment of new officers, and our bill will allow law enforcement agencies to retain the best they have without increasing appropriations,” said Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02). “Many times, law enforcement agencies will lose their veterans because of better pay at other agencies. These retention bonuses can help even the playing field so those agencies can keep their most knowledgeable and experienced officers.”
“Our law enforcement risk their lives every day to protect ours. That's why I'm proud to support this bipartisan legislation to help recruit and retain the best talent needed to make our departments better. That’s how you keep families safe. When it comes to law enforcement, you need to invest to protect,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and member of the bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus. “I'll always get the backs of law enforcement and I'm glad that members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse this critical, commonsense legislation."
“As a former FBI Special Agent and Federal Prosecutor, it is one of my top priorities to ensure the brave men and women who risk their lives to protect our communities have fair and equal access to grants that enhance recruitment and safety for officers nationwide,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “I am proud our caucus is endorsing the bipartisan Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act, which strengthens the Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) grant program, making it more accessible for local, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies of all sizes. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand with me in supporting this vital legislation, ensuring every department, regardless of size, has access to the resources needed to keep our communities safe.”
“Our brave police officers are on the front lines of keeping our communities safe. We must ensure they have the team, tools, and training they need to do their jobs,” said Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40). “The Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act provides vital support directly to local police departments in Southern California and across the nation. I’m proud to support this bipartisan, commonsense bill to provide bonuses for officer recruitment and retention and will always have the backs of our men and women in blue.”
“Law enforcement agencies are having a hard time recruiting and retaining officers as far too many of our brave men and women in blue who risk their lives defending our communities feel it is a thankless job and aren't getting the support they need,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17). “We must do more to address this problem and support our heroes. That's why I was proud to co-sponsor the Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act. This bipartisan bill will allow local law enforcement agencies to utilize grants for recruitment and retention bonuses and extends the longevity of grant applications from one year to five. This legislation provides critical support our law enforcement agencies need, and its endorsement by the Problem Solvers Caucus is a testament to its common sense nature and overwhelming, bipartisan support.”
“COPS grants are a lifeline for our law enforcement agencies. Far too many communities are struggling to recruit and retain law enforcement personnel, causing officers across the nation to work in overdrive,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23). “In my district, I’ve worked alongside Texas law enforcement agencies to secure over $13 million in COPS grant funding to hire more police officers across South and West Texas. I'm proud to support the bipartisan Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act to ensure our men and women behind the badge are fully staffed up to better protect our families, friends, and neighbors.”
The full text of the bill can be found here.
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The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-two Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.