Sign in Subscribe
Police departments

Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Drug Epidemic and Boost Border Security

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police union in the country, has announced its support for Senator Jon Tester's bipartisan Assisting Narcotics and Trafficking Officers in Interdicting (ANTI) Drugs Act. Introduced alongside Senator John Hoeven, the legislation aims to provide resources for law enforcement efforts to combat the drug epidemic and enhance border security. The bill would increase funding for High Intensity Drug Task Forces, Operation Stonegarden, and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), while also streamlining the grant process for smaller law enforcement agencies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ANTI Drugs Act has received support from the Fraternal Order of Police, Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, Western States Sheriffs' Association, and National Narcotic Officers Associations' Coalition.
  • The legislation aims to increase resources for law enforcement efforts to combat the drug epidemic and enhance border security through three programs: High Intensity Drug Task Forces (HIDTA), Operation Stonegarden, and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).
  • The bill would increase funding for HIDTA by $400 million, Operation Stonegarden by $110 million, and COPS by $665 million.

*Tester's bill includes new language to cut red tape and ensure that smaller law enforcement agencies and those in rural communities have access to COPS grants.

  • The legislation would also require the Department of Justice to improve and streamline the COPS grant solicitation process and address barriers that prevent eligible law enforcement agencies in rural areas from utilizing the COPS Hiring Program.

Statistics:

  • The Fraternal Order of Police has over 367,000 members.
  • Montana is home to five regional HIDTA task forces operating in Cascade, Flathead, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, and Yellowstone Counties.
  • North Dakota is part of the Midwest HIDTA, witheight counties designated as HIDTA counties: Burleigh, Cass, Grand Forks, Morton, Richland, Walsh, Ward, and Williams.
  • The COPS program awards grants to state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies in an effort to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing.

Sources:

  • The Fraternal Order of Police's letter of support for Tester's bipartisan legislation
  • Text of Tester and Hoeven's ANTI Drugs Act

Read more