Senators Coons, Fischer introduce bipartisan legislation to boost law enforcement hiring and retention

Press Release

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, and U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), introduced the Recruit and Retain Act to help law enforcement (LE) agencies grappling with recruitment issues. The legislation would boost law enforcement recruitment by significantly expanding the Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants. This would help many agencies across the country that are both understaffed and struggling to attract new applicants. Additionally, the bill would create a new program to encourage partnerships between schools and police departments to foster a stronger local pipeline for law enforcement careers.

"Police departments in Delaware and across the country are facing real hiring and recruiting challenges that make it harder for them to keep our communities safe. As co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, I'm proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help these departments overcome those hiring issues and fill their ranks. The Recruit and Retain Act will provide resources to these understaffed agencies, help build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and have a tangible impact on public safety. I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and send it to the President's desk," said Senator Coons.

"Law enforcement agencies across the country serving urban, rural, big, and small communities are struggling to enlist qualified candidates to help alleviate staffing shortages. Through important changes to the COPS Program, the Recruit and Retain Act would help remove financial obstacles to the law enforcement application process and aid in the recruitment of community police officers through the creation of a Pipeline Partnership Program. It also takes steps towards understanding how the profession found itself in this recruitment and retention crisis so we can get the tools and support we need to reverse it. NAPO thanks Senators Fischer and Coons for their support of the law enforcement community," said Bill Johnson, Executive Director, National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO).

"Sheriffs appreciate the Senators' recognition of the declining ability to hire qualified candidates for local LE agencies. 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," said Sheriff Jim Skinner, Chairman of the National Sheriffs Association Government Affairs Committee.

"Nearly every MCCA member agency is understaffed, and many are having difficulty finding people who want to serve as law enforcement officers. Retention is also a challenge, and many MCCA members have reported that officers are leaving for smaller agencies. The Recruit and Retain Act creates a new grant program that will help strengthen recruitment and retention efforts by fostering partnerships between law enforcement agencies and educational institutions. The MCCA thanks Senator Fischer and Senator Coons for introducing this important piece of legislation," said Eddie Garcia, Chief, Dallas Police Department, and President, Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA).

"Law enforcement is struggling to recruit and retain officers now more than ever. In rural areas, departments are struggling to bring on new officers. Meanwhile, urban areas are struggling to keep officers amid increasing violence and attacks. More and more, federal law enforcement is being pulled in to bridge the gap. But public safety requires robust and professional law enforcement officers and agents serving across our ranks. This legislation will help make that happen. FLEOA proudly supports the Recruit and Retain Act to ensure careers in law enforcement is a desirable career for all Americans with a desire to serve. We applaud Senator Fischer and Senator Coons for leading this necessary effort to enhance community safety," said Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) President Larry Cosme.

The Recruit and Retain Act has received endorsements from the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Sheriffs Association, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police.

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