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Police officers

Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act: A Call to Support Law Enforcement Families

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has voiced her support for the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the challenges faced by law enforcement families in securing child care services due to their non-traditional work schedules. The bill proposes allocating $24 million in federal funding for each of the next 5 fiscal years to establish a pilot child care services program, prioritizing recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers. Senator Gillibrand emphasized that providing child care options will not only open professional doors for aspiring officers but also provide stability to current officers struggling with child care issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act aims to provide $24 million in federal funding for each of the next 5 fiscal years to establish a pilot child care services program.
  • The program will prioritize recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers, particularly women who make up less than 14% of sworn officers and 4% of police chiefs.
  • 20% of the total grant funding will be set aside for law enforcement agencies employing fewer than 200 officers to support parents employed by smaller police departments.
  • The bill is cosponsored by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) in the Senate and Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50) in the House of Representatives.
  • The legislation is supported by various organizations, including 30x30, FLEOA, IUPA, NAPOA, NAPO, FOP, NOBLE, NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Central New York Association of Chiefs of Police, New York State Association of Chief of Police, AFSCME, and Third Way.
  • Over 70% of law enforcement agencies reported difficulty in recruitment, with one major metropolitan police department experiencing more than half of officers reporting child care issues, leading Officer to leave or miss work.

Statistics:

  • 70% of law enforcement agencies reported that recruitment is more difficult now than five years ago.
  • 20% of the total grant funding will be set aside for law enforcement agencies employing fewer than 200 officers.
  • Less than 14% of sworn officers and 4% of police chiefs are women.
  • The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act would provide $24 million in federal funding for each of the next 5 fiscal years.

Sources:

  • Office of the Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
  • Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC)
  • Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50)
  • Mayor Dan Mandell of Elmira
  • Chemung County Legislator Brent Stermer
  • 30x30, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), International Union of Police Associations (IUPA), National Asian Peace Officers Association (NAPOA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Central New York Association of Chiefs of Police, New York State Association of Chief of Police, AFSCME, and Third Way

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