Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) reintroduced the Recruit and Retain Act to support law enforcement agencies by helping to address workforce challenges and bolster recruitment. Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus.
Among its provisions, the Recruit and Retain Act would allow law enforcement agencies to use the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants to cover hiring costs so that officers can apply to recruitment programs more easily. The bill would help law enforcement agencies across the country that are understaffed or struggling to attract new applicants. Senators Coons and Fischer introduced the Recruit and Retain Act last Congress in November 2022.
Additionally, the bill would create a new program to encourage partnerships between local schools and police departments to foster a stronger hiring pipeline for law enforcement careers.
“As Co-Chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, I’ve seen how law enforcement agencies in Delaware and across the country are facing real hiring challenges. Congress must ensure that our police departments have the resources to recruit officers who are both qualified and reflect our communities. The Recruit and Retain Act will provide assistance to these understaffed agencies and help build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and send it to the president’s desk,” said Senator Coons.
“Law enforcement is struggling to recruit and retain officers now more than ever. In rural areas, departments are struggling to bring on new officers. Meanwhile, urban areas are struggling to keep officers amid increasing violence and attacks. More and more, federal law enforcement is being pulled in to bridge the gap. But public safety requires robust and professional law enforcement officers and agents serving across our ranks. This legislation will help make that happen. FLEOA proudly supports the Recruit and Retain Act to ensure law enforcement is a desirable career for all Americans with a desire to serve. We applaud Senator Fischer along with Senators Coons, Cornyn, and Klobuchar for leading this necessary effort to enhance community safety,” said Larry Cosme, President, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).
“Too many law enforcement agencies across the country are struggling to maintain a fully staffed police force and to recruit the best and brightest candidates to serve in their communities. The bill introduced today by Senators Fischer and Coons will help local law enforcement by expanding the scope of the COPS Hiring Program to allow these funds to be used to reduce application fees and other similar costs for job applicants. We think it can make a real difference,” said Patrick Yoes, National President, Fraternal Order of Police.
“Nearly every MCCA member agency is understaffed, and many are having difficulty recruiting new and retaining current officers. Solutions must address both elements of the issue, as it will take time to expand the universe of individuals interested in a career in law enforcement. The Recruit and Retain Act will help address this challenge by fostering partnerships between law enforcement agencies and educational institutions. The MCCA thanks Senator Fischer, Senator Coons, Senator Cornyn, and Senator Klobuchar for introducing this important piece of legislation,” said Laura Cooper, Executive Director, Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA).
“Law enforcement agencies across the country serving urban, rural, big, and small communities are struggling to enlist qualified candidates to help alleviate staffing shortages. Through important changes to the COPS Program, the Recruit and Retain Act would help remove financial obstacles to the law enforcement application process and aid in the recruitment of community police officers through the creation of a Pipeline Partnership Program. It also takes steps towards understanding how the profession found itself in this recruitment and retention crisis so we can get the tools and support we need to reverse it. NAPO thanks Senators Fischer, Coons, Cornyn, and Klobuchar for their continued support of the law enforcement community,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director, National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO).
“Sheriffs appreciate the Senators’ recognition of the declining ability to hire qualified candidates for local law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement has seen recruitment efforts falter as a result of economic and social policy decline. Additional assistance from the COPS Hiring Program will help in reaching our recruitment and retention goals,” said Sheriff Jim Skinner of Collin County, Texas, and Chairman of the National Sheriffs Association Government Affairs Committee.
Background
The Recruit and Retain Act has received national endorsements from the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs Association, National Association of Police Organizations, and National Sheriffs Association.
The bill contains five key initiatives:
Supporting Officer Onboarding
- Expands the U.S. Department of Justice’s COPS grants to reduce the financial costs of hiring new law enforcement officers (e.g., background checks, psychological evaluations, etc.).
Reducing Administrative Burdens
- Allows up to 2% of grant funding to cover the administrative burden of implementing COPS grants. Many law enforcement agencies have noted that this would offset the paperwork burden associated with COPS grants.
Authorizing New Pipeline Recruitment Program
- Authorizes the Pipeline Partnership Program within COPS to encourage collaboration between agencies and local elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education for students interested in future careers in law enforcement. Qualifying partnership activities would include dedicated programming for students, work-based learning opportunities, project-based learning, mentoring, community liaisons, career or jobs fairs, worksite visits, job shadowing, and skills-based internships.
Providing Better Grant Guidance for Understaffed Agencies
- Creates new guidance for COPS hiring grants to clarify the lack of consistent procedures for understaffed agencies. This will ensure more eligible police departments are able to access COPS grants.
Shining a Light on Recruitment and Retention Challenges
- Directs a comprehensive study to illuminate recruitment and retention challenges law enforcement agencies face nationwide and document how these trends are impacting public safety.
Click here to read the text of the bill.
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