Dear Representatives Hunt and Ivey,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 3325, the “Recruit and Retain Act.” The Senate companion bill, S. 546, passed the Senate by unanimous consent in July.
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.
Your legislation would help address this issue by expanding the scope of the Hiring Program administered by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to allow these funds to be used to reduce application fees and other similar costs for job applicants. In addition, the bill would establish the Pipeline Partnership Program, which would provide grants to law enforcement agencies that partner with colleges and universities and offer programming for students such as work-based learning opportunities, mentoring, job shadowing, apprenticeships, or skills-based internships in the profession of law enforcement.
Your bill would also fund a comprehensive study on attrition and recruitment in law enforcement in Federal, State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies. While no one piece of legislation can solve the officer recruitment and retention crisis, this is certainly a step in the right direction.
On behalf of the more than 373,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I am proud to offer our support for this legislation. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President
cc: Karla Pruneda, President, Texas State Lodge
Clyde Boatwright, President, Maryland State Lodge