Dear Representatives Landsman, Miller, Sykes, and Carey,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 3376, the “Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act.”
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 provide bonuses for the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers. In addition, the bill would simplify the grant application process by allowing an applying agency to amend a submitted application in lieu of creating a new application, reducing the administrative burden for that agency.
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 367,000 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