For Immediate Release: Congressman Wesley Hunt's Bill - The Recruit and Retain Act reported favorably out of the House Judiciary Committee
May 1, 2024
Contact: Matthew Topolski, Communications Director
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Wesley Hunt's legislation H.R. 3325 - The Recruit and Retain Act was reported favorably out of the House Judiciary Committee.
The Justice Department provides grants to state, local, and tribal governments to hire law enforcement officers (LEOs) under the COPS Hiring Program (CHP). Congress first authorized the CHP in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322). Funded at $224.5 million for FY 2023, the CHP remains the central federal resource to help law enforcement agencies hire new officers.
This bill would leverage the CHP to ensure the program is responsive to the latest hiring challenges that federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies are experiencing nationwide.
Accordingly, the bill would: Reduce the costs of onboarding new officers, specifically for fees associated with background checks, psychological evaluations, and testing. Alleviate administrative burdens and clarify application guidance to ensure CHP grants are accessible to all law enforcement agencies. Create new opportunities for law enforcement to build trust and interest in law enforcement careers with local youth. Research the latest data and uncover new insights into law enforcement recruitment and retention trends across the country.
“I'm proud to say this bipartisan bill has been endorsed by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Sheriff's Association, and others."
"When our police departments are well-funded and maintained, our communities are safer,” said Hunt.
###