Bipartisan Support for Law Enforcement: Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses COPS on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization

Strategic Insights -

As the nation kicks off National Police Week, the Problem Solvers Caucus has announced its endorsement of Congressman Tom Rice's bill aimed at bolstering resources and investments in law enforcement. The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act of 2022 would provide increased federal investment to help police departments across the country recruit and retain officers and assist with other aspects of community policing and training.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COPS on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act would reauthorize the COPS on the Beat Grant Program and update it to ensure that all law enforcement agencies throughout the country, regardless of size, location, or regional income level, can access it.
  • The legislation would allow for COPS grants to be used to increase wages for officers in low-income communities and would open access to COPS grants for low-income, rural communities by lowering the initial non-federal match minimum and gradually increasing over four years.
  • The bill would put all law enforcement agencies on a level playing field by removing the preference for agencies that can afford a higher match than required.
  • Reps. Tom Rice (SC-07) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) brought the COPS on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act for Problem Solvers Caucus endorsement, which garnered the support of more than 75 percent of the Caucus.
  • The legislation is supported by several law enforcement organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Sheriffs Association, and the National Association of Police Organizations.

Statistics:

  • The COPS on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act would reauthorize the COPS on the Beat Grant Program for 10 years.
  • The bill would increase wages for officers in low-income communities.
  • The legislation would open access to COPS grants for low-income, rural communities by lowering the initial non-federal match minimum and gradually increasing over four years.
  • The bill would require the GAO to produce reports in FY2026 and FY2031 on how representative law enforcement agency workforces are of their communities, the percentage of officers that live in the jurisdiction served, average pay compared to cost of living of jurisdiction, and legislative and administrative recommendations for improving these data points.

Sources:

  • National Police Week news release from the Office of Representative Tom Rice (SC-07)
  • Rep. Tom Rice (SC-07) quoted in the news release
  • Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) quoted in the news release
  • Problem Solvers Caucus news release announcing endorsement of COPS on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act
  • Fraternal Order of Police
  • National Sheriffs Association
  • National Association of Police Organizations