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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky today voted in support of the COPS Improvements Act, legislation to reinvigorate the highly successful Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs that help put more officers on the streets and provide law enforcement with critical resources. The legislation passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 342-78.
“I am happy to help our local police departments and sheriffs put more, better-equipped officers on the streets, especially since times are tough and budgets are tight,” said Visclosky. “Studies show that COPS programs help reduce crime and keep communities safe. Today I voted to reinforce those accomplishments and keep Northwest Indiana’s cities and towns safe from crime.”
The COPS Improvements Act invests $1.25 billion per year in COPS hiring grants to put an estimated 50,000 new officers on the streets nationwide over the next five years. It also authorizes $350 million a year for COPS technology grants to equip law enforcement with cutting-edge crime fighting tools, and $200 million a year for hiring community prosecutors. Additionally, the bill establishes new troops-to-cops grants to help military veterans pursue careers in law enforcement and provides grants to reduce and prevent the manufacture, distribution, and use of illegal drugs.
Since it was created in 1994, COPS has sent nearly $23 million in grants to Northwest Indiana that have helped 29 police departments and law enforcement agencies put 267 new officers on the streets. Those COPS grants included $6.7 million to procure crime-fighting technologies that help officers more efficiently patrol communities, and also helped add 30 school resources officers to improve safety in local schools.
The COPS Improvements Act is endorsed by the following organizations: Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, National District Attorneys Association, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and National League of Cities. |
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