Sponsors (16)
The bill uses a targeted $10M federal appropriation to make accreditation affordable for small law enforcement agencies and potentially improve local policing, but its narrow funding scope and capacity limits mean some agencies won’t benefit while taxpayers cover the cost.
Residents in jurisdictions served by smaller law enforcement agencies (≤350 employees) may see improved policing practices, accountability, and community trust if those agencies achieve accreditation funded by the program.
Smaller local law enforcement agencies can receive federal grants to cover accreditation and re‑certification fees, reducing their out‑of‑pocket costs and making accreditation more affordable.
The bill provides a dedicated $10 million appropriation for FY2025 to stand up and support the accreditation grant program, ensuring resources are available without immediate additional appropriations.
Agencies cannot use these grants for other needs—training, equipment, or staffing—so jurisdictions with accreditation needs elsewhere may not improve overall public safety despite receiving funds.
Smaller agencies that lack internal capacity (staff time, expertise, or administrative support) may still be unable to complete accreditation even with fee assistance, leaving some communities unable to benefit.
Taxpayers fund the $10 million appropriation in FY2025, which represents a direct federal cost that could have been used for other priorities or adds to budgetary outlays.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Establishes a DOJ grant program to fund accreditation and re‑certification costs for small local law enforcement agencies and authorizes $10M for FY2025.
Official title: To direct the Attorney General to establish a grant program to provide for the qualified accreditation and re-certification of local law enforcement agencies, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 13, 2025 by Chris Pappas · Last progress May 13, 2025
Provides a federal grant program to pay for accreditation and re‑certification costs for small local law enforcement agencies. The Attorney General must set up the program within 90 days and distribute competitively applied grants to qualifying local agencies demonstrating financial need; $10 million is authorized for FY2025 and remains available until expended.