Reps. Sykes, Landsman, Carey, Miller Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Local Law Enforcement

Reps. Sykes, Landsman, Carey, Miller Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Local Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Mike Carey (OH-15), and Max Miller (OH-07) introduced the bipartisan Enhancing COPS Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act to enhance an existing federal grant program utilized by local law enforcement agencies. The Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act has been endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, and the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police.

Currently, the U.S. Department of Justice's COPS Hiring Program provides local law enforcement agencies with grants to hire law enforcement officers. The bipartisan 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 grants for recruitment and retention bonuses. In 2024, Ohio's 13th District received almost $900,000 from the COPS Hiring Program to hire and retain law enforcement officers and support community policing, including:

• $250,000 to the City of Barberton to hire 2 new law enforcement officers, and
• $625,000 to the City of Canton to hire 5 new law enforcement officers.

"Many of our local police departments are overwhelmed and understaffed," said Rep. Sykes. "To help rebuild the trust between law enforcement and our communities, we must ensure our local police departments are able to recruit and retain the most experienced and responsible professionals possible. This commonsense, bipartisan grant program will provide officers with the resources they need to address dangerous staffing shortages and keep the streets of Ohio's 13th District safe."

"Public safety is critical to our communities, but too many are struggling to recruit and keep good law enforcement officers. We're working across the aisle to strengthen this important grant program that will help these agencies significantly. It'll give them the support they need to keep everyone safe," said Rep. Landsman.

"Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. We should do all we can to keep them safe in return. Drops in recruitment, as well as early retirements and resignations have strained law enforcement agencies. Our legislation will expand grants to retain and recruit officers and I am proud to support it," Rep. Carey.

"Public safety is a right, and communities depend on the men and women in blue to keep us safe. This legislation supports law enforcement officers by providing them with resources to address critical staffing challenges, retain trained professionals, and effectively deter and respond to dangerous situations", said Rep. Miller.

"The Fraternal Order of Police is proud to support this critical piece of legislation that addresses the recruitment and retention crisis facing our police departments across the country," said National Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick Yoes. "By ensuring that departments are fully staffed with qualified, well-trained officers, this legislation bolsters public safety and the trust our communities place in us."