WASHINGTON, D.C.  -  Police and first responders in rural areas like East Alabama could receive specialized training at a new police facility under a bill introduced by Congressman Mike Rogers this week.

The Rural Policing Institute, which would be created in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, would help cater to the unique challenges faced by rural law enforcement.  In particular the center would offer specialized training courses in several areas, including battling methamphetamines, domestic violence and school violence.

“This bill is a good first step for helping expand effective and cost–efficient training options for rural law enforcement personnel,” Rogers said. “Clearly, rural Alabama police face challenges far different from those in big cities like Atlanta. Down the road, if built, this type of facility could help provide our rural first responders new tools and training for helping combat the unique challenges they face.”

Rogers said the bill, H.R. 1697, the Rural Law Enforcement Training Act of 2007, was introduced in the House on Monday and added he hopes it will soon be debated in committee.

He explained the bill would create a new facility called the Rural Policing Institute, which would be managed by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). The new facility could be built in a rural state, such as Alabama.  If passed, the bill would authorize $10 million in funding for the institute for FY08 and $5 million per year for FY09-FY13.

Rogers serves as the Ranking Member on the Management, Investigations and Oversight subcommittee on the House Homeland Security Committee.

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