Bill seeks to bolster law enforcement recruitment efforts

U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently reintroduced legislation seeking to aid in addressing law enforcement workforce challenges while bolstering recruitment initiatives.

The Recruit and Retain Act would increase officer recruitment opportunities through the Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants program.

Additionally, the measure would help law enforcement agencies nationwide that are understaffed and struggling to attract new applicants.

“Across the country, understaffed law enforcement agencies are struggling with massive workforce challenges that jeopardize public safety,” Fischer said. “This legislation would address these issues head-on by reducing the financial strain of recruitment expenses and opening up stronger hiring pipelines in the community. I’m proud of the growing bipartisan support for this legislation, and I look forward to getting this bill to the President’s desk.”

Bill proponents indicated the legislation would also establish a new program encouraging partnerships between local schools and police departments to foster a stronger hiring pipeline for law enforcement careers.

“I appreciate Sen. Fischer’s understanding of the crisis levels of local police staffing nationwide,” City of Omaha Chief of Police Todd Schmaderer said. “Sen. Fischer and her staff listened to our needs and worked with us to craft language that will strengthen our ability to attract and retain high-quality law enforcement officers.”

Collin County, Texas Sheriff Jim Skinner is chairman of the National Sheriffs Association Government Affairs Committee.

“Sheriffs appreciate the Senators’ recognition of the declining ability to hire qualified candidates for local LE agencies,” Skinner said. “Law enforcement has seen recruitment efforts falter as a result of economic and social policy decline. Additional assistance from the COPS program will help in reaching our recruitment and retention goals.”