POLICE WEEK: Harder Announces Legislation to Restore Full Funding for Law Enforcement Hiring Program

COPS funding has supported hiring for 140,000 officers nationwide, dozens across the Valley

Hiring program has not been fully authorized since 2009

WASHINGTON – Today, during National Police Week, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced new legislation to restore federal funding for law enforcement hiring grants to their original level, fully funding the program that has hired thousands of officers across the country. Led with Rep. John Rutherford (FL-05), the COPS Reauthorization Act restores more than $1 billion in federal funding annually through 2030 for officer hiring, training, and deployment to local departments. 

Federal funding for hiring local law enforcement has been at risk for years:

• Administered by the Department of Justice, the (Community Oriented Policing Services) COPS program is the number one federal tool for helping local departments hire law enforcement officers, including 140,000 nationwide and dozens across the Valley since the program’s founding.
• But since 2009, the COPS program has not been fully funded, causing annual grants to constantly be at risk of disruption during federal budget fights.
• Without reauthorization, this critical program risks losing the sustained federal support needed to ensure law enforcement agencies can continue protecting communities and responding to emerging public safety needs.

“Keeping Valley families safe depends on local departments having enough staff - full stop - that’s why fully funding federal hiring programs is so important,” said Rep. Harder. “Local law enforcement put their lives on the line every single day, and we have a responsibility to have their backs. This bill delivers on that promise by restoring funding for hiring more officers, expanding proven strategies that reduce crime, and finally getting politics out of public safety.” 

How the COPS Reauthorization Act delivers on our public safety mission:

• Fewer Officer Shortages – Helps law enforcement agencies recruit and retain officers amid nationwide workforce challenges.
• Crime Reduction – Expands proven community policing strategies that reduce crime and improve public trust.
• Cutting Red Tape – Establishes the COPS Office as a standalone entity strengthening program management and federal support.

How COPS grants impact local Valley departments:

“The Federal COPS Hiring Program has been instrumental in strengthening our department’s ability to serve and protect our community,” said Manteca Police Chief Stephen Schluer. “Thanks to this grant funding, we were able to hire five additional police officers, increasing our patrol capacity, improving response times, and enhancing public safety efforts across the city. Reinstating and continuing support for the COPS grant is critical for agencies like ours that are working to meet growing public safety demands while maintaining strong community policing initiatives.”

“The $375,000 federal COPS award in 2020 made a profound impact on our department and our community. With these resources, we were able to hire additional officers, expand our outreach efforts, and enhance public safety for everyone in Tracy,” said Tracy Police Chief Sekou Millington. “This federal support not only helped us strengthen our workforce but also allowed us to build stronger relationships with the people we serve. The COPS program truly empowers local agencies to deliver responsive, community-focused policing, and we are grateful for the opportunity that this funding has provided.”

The COPS Reauthorization Act is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, Major County Sheriffs of America, National Sheriffs’ Association, and Major Cities Chiefs Association.

“As a lifelong law enforcement officer and former sheriff, I have seen firsthand the importance of investing in our state and local law enforcement agencies,” said Rep. Rutherford. “The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) at the Department of Justice is the only program at the agency solely dedicated to the recruitment and retention of officers. The COPS Hiring Program has played a key role in supporting our crime fighters nationwide. In just the last year, the COPS Office awarded 228 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies grants to support the hiring of 1,155 full-time officers and deputies. I support the reauthorization of this program to continue boosting policing capacity and enhancing community safety.”

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