LaLota and Spanberger Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize Law Enforcement Grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Reps. Nick LaLota (R-NY-01) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) introduced the bipartisan Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA-39) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03) joined as original cosponsors. This bill would reauthorize and improve the COPS on the Beat Grants Program to aid local law enforcement in hiring new officers and support efforts to increase and improve community policing and training.

This bill is the House companion to S. 1530, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

“As a dedicated advocate for public safety, community well-being, and our men and women in blue, I am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the COPS on Beat Grants Program. Our legislation reflects a commitment to fostering stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve and to public safety,” said LaLota. “By providing crucial resources and support through the COPS program, we empower our officers to proactively engage with residents, address local concerns, serve and protect the people, and build trust. This reauthorization underscores an unwavering belief in the importance of ensuring our law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to keep our neighborhoods safe and secure.”

“For years, I’ve heard directly from Virginia’s police chiefs and sheriffs who are finding it hard to recruit, retain, and train qualified officers and deputies. Reauthorizing and strengthening the COPS on the Beat program would help address these concerns directly,” said Spanberger. “As a former federal law enforcement officer, I know that community policing initiatives help build stronger, safer communities. I’m proud to once again help lead this straightforward, bipartisan legislation to help our local law enforcement officers access the resources, build the relationships, and gain the training they need to keep Virginians safe. These brave Americans go to work each day to serve their communities and neighbors, and we will work hard to deliver the support they deserve.”

“The brave men and women of our local law enforcement run into harm’s way every day to protect our communities. The COPS on the Beat grant program is vital to their mission and directly funds the hiring, training, and salaries of local police departments across the country and in my district,” said Kim. “I am proud to support this important program to ensure our local law enforcement has the team, tools, and training needed to meet our communities’ needs. I will always be a loud voice in support of our law enforcement in Congress.”

“When I’ve met with police chiefs and sheriffs across Southwest Washington, I’ve heard about the challenges they’re facing with officer training times, recruitment, and retention. Oftentimes, departments in rural and low-income communities are most impacted, yet it can be more difficult for them to access critical federal grant funding,” said Gluesenkamp Perez. “This bipartisan legislation will be an important step toward leveling the playing field and ensuring local law enforcement have the resources they need to keep our communities safe and feel supported in their difficult jobs.”

“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) commends Representatives LaLota and Spanberger for reintroducing the COPS on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act, which will greatly support our efforts to recruit, train, and retain qualified officers to keep our communities safe,” said Megan Noland, Executive Director of the Major County Sheriffs of America. “We also appreciate this legislation recognizes the importance of authorizing the COPS Office, which has always been an incredible partner, providing necessary resources to support law enforcement agencies across the nation. We stand ready to support all efforts to advance this bipartisan legislation to build safe communities and partnerships with the citizens we serve.”

“Improving public safety is a universal priority across law enforcement, and funding through the COPS Program has been a key part of that effort for nearly every locality in the U.S., from the smallest of towns to the largest metropolitan areas,” said President Vincent Vallelong of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association. “Establishing the COPS Office as a standalone entity within DOJ will further improve and streamline the grantmaking process as well as enhance its important work on officer mental health and wellness initiatives. We appreciate Rep. LaLota’s leadership in introducing this legislation and for his ongoing support of law enforcement officers in New York and across the country.”

To read the full text of the legislation, click HERE.

Background:

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 midpoint 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. 

This bill is supported by the Major County Sheriffs Association, the New York Police Department’s Sergeants Benevolent Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the National Association of Police Organizations, and the National Sheriffs Association..

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.

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