Dear Senators Klobuchar, Murkowski, Coons, Tillis, Feinstein, and Graham,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for S. 1306, the “COPS Reauthorization Act,” which will reauthorize the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and all the programs it administers through 2029.
Our nation is grappling with an increase in crime, particularly violent crime, and the profession of law enforcement is struggling to hire and retain good officers to keep our communities safe. This legislation affirms our national commitment to the community-oriented policing strategy—which the FOP believes is the most effective way to promote public safety and to enhance the quality of life in a community. By involving the community, the police have more resources available to help with crime prevention. By familiarizing themselves with the members of the community, officers are more likely to obtain valuable information about criminals and their activities, and they are more likely to obtain a reliable evaluation of the needs of citizens and their expectations of the police.
On behalf of the more than 364,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, we are grateful to all of you for your leadership on this issue and look forward to working with you to ensure that the COPS Office and its programs are reauthorized and fully funded. 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