Washington, DC – This week, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-39) joined Reps. Tom Rice (SC-07), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) and a bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act (H.R. 6375).
This bipartisan bill reauthorizes and improves the COPS on the Beat Grants Program to assist local law enforcement agencies to hire law enforcement officers and help with community policing and training.
“Our local law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way each day to keep our communities safe, and the COPS grant program directly funds the training, hiring and salaries of many police departments,” said Congresswoman Kim. “I am proud to join bipartisan efforts to support local law enforcement and ensure they have the training and resources to meet our communities’ needs. I will always be a strong, loud voice for the brave men and women of our law enforcement in Congress.”
“I support the COPS on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act of 2021. Providing resources to local law enforcement for hiring and training is one of the best ways to ensure a continued high level of professionalism and integrity amongst the men and women who wear the badge in service to their community,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.
“Funding for the COPS Grant program has always been instrumental in our ability to keep the residents, businesses and visitors of Anaheim safe. However, due to the financial burden caused by a global pandemic and the economic downturn that followed, this funding is now critical to the continued success of law enforcement agencies throughout the country. The COPS grant allows departments like Anaheim PD to remain effective in law enforcement recruiting practices. By hiring and maintaining a professional public safety force made up of the most qualified, and capable candidates, we strengthen our community relationships. It is the character of those women and men who choose the admirable and selfless profession of law enforcement that help build trust and legitimacy within our communities,” said Anaheim Police Department Chief Jorge Cisneros.
This bill reauthorizes the COPS on the Beat Grant Program for the next 10 years, expands access to COPS Grants to rural communities, allows for COPS grants to be used to increase wages for officers in low-income communities, and creates a stand-alone COPS office within the U.S. Department of Justice.
The COPS on the Beat Grant Program was previously appropriated $386 million in FY21. This legislation increases the authorization to $1,047,119,000 in FY22.
This legislation also requires the U.S. Government Accountability Office to file a report at the mid-point of the program and the conclusion to determine:
- How representative law enforcement agencies are of their communities;
- The percentage that lives in the jurisdiction served;
- Average pay compared to cost of living of jurisdiction; and,
- Legislative and administrative recommendations for improving these data points.
About the COPS Office:
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation’s state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources.
Community policing begins with a commitment to building trust and mutual respect between police and communities. It is critical to public safety, ensuring that all stakeholders work together to address our nation’s crime challenges. When police and communities collaborate, they more effectively address underlying issues, change negative behavioral patterns, and allocate resources.
The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing professionals, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to help advance community policing.
