Landsman Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Provide Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Bonuses

WARREN COUNTY, OH –As a longstanding supporter of local law enforcement and public safety professionals, Congressman Landsman has partnered with Ohio colleagues Congressman Mike Carey, Congresswoman Emilia Strong Sykes, and Congressman Max Miller to reintroduce the bipartisan Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act – legislation to strengthen an existing federal grant program used by local law enforcement agencies.

“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 Congressman 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," said Congressman Carey.

Currently, the U.S. Department of Justice’s COPS Hiring Program provides local law enforcement agencies with grants to hire law enforcement officers. Congressman Landsman’s bipartisan Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act would expand the program to allow local law enforcement agencies to utilize the grants for recruitment and retention bonuses. 

“Many of our local police departments are overwhelmed and understaffed. 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," said Congresswoman Sykes.

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. 

“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. 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,” said National Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick Yoes.

“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 Congressman Miller.

The full text of the Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act can be found here.

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