WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) that would help strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve by incentivizing officers to serve in the communities where they live. The legislation now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
“By encouraging officers to serve where they live, we can improve trust between law enforcement and the people they protect,” said Senator Peters. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill would also help address local officer shortages while supporting a model of community policing that fosters stronger public safety outcomes. I’ll continue working with my colleagues to see the bill passed into law.”
Many communities across the country continue to face law enforcement recruitment challenges and a trust crisis. The Strong Communities Act – which unanimously passed the Senate - would establish a federal grant program to support local law enforcement recruits who agree to attend school or academy and then serve in their own communities. The bill would make recruits eligible for funding through the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to help offset the financial burden of attending training or educational programs. In return, recruits would commit to serve full-time in a local law enforcement agency within seven miles of their residence – or within 20 miles if they live in a county with fewer than 150,000 residents – for a minimum of four years.
The Strong Communities Act is supported by the Police Officers Association of Michigan, National Association of Police Organizations, Major County Sheriffs of America, and the Fraternal Order of Police.
“The Police Officers Association of Michigan is proud to support Senator Peters’ bipartisan Strong Communities Act,” said Kenneth E. Grabowski, Legislative Director of the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM). “This legislation will improve recruitment and rebuild community trust in policing.”
“This bill helps strengthen the community-policing model and respond to the law enforcement recruiting crisis,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police. “It establishes a grant program for local agencies to cover training costs for recruits, provided they serve in their community. We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Peters and Cornyn in advancing this important legislation.”
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