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Creates a new COPS Strong Communities Program to let the Attorney General award competitive grants (starting in FY2025) to send law enforcement officers and recruits to training. Grant recipients must meet service and location requirements; recipients who do not complete the required service must repay the grant subject to regulatory exemptions. Requires the Attorney General to send an annual report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees listing grant recipients, planned and completed training counts, and how many trained officers/recruits returned to and remain employed by the recipient.
Adds a new subsection (q) titled "COPS Strong Communities Program" to Section 1701 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.
Defines "eligible entity" as either (i) an institution of higher education (as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965) that, in coordination or by agreement with a local law enforcement agency, offers a law enforcement training program, or (ii) a local law enforcement agency that offers a law enforcement training program.
Defines "local law enforcement agency" as an agency of a State, unit of local government, or Indian Tribe authorized to engage in or supervise prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of criminal law violations.
Authorizes the Attorney General to use amounts otherwise appropriated to carry out Section 1701 for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2025) to make competitive grants to local law enforcement agencies so officers and recruits can attend law enforcement training at eligible entities, provided the officers and recruits agree to serve in their communities.
Requires each officer or recruit receiving grant benefits to serve as a full-time law enforcement officer for at least 4 years during the 8-year period beginning on the date they complete the training for which they received benefits.
Who is affected and how:
State and local law enforcement agencies and first responders: Primary recipients and beneficiaries. Agencies can receive grant funds to send existing officers or new recruits to training programs, which may improve skills and staffing. They must meet service and location commitments linked to awards and keep records for reporting.
Local law enforcement officials (officers and recruits): Individuals selected for training benefit from funded training opportunities. They may be subject to service obligations (e.g., a period of employment with the recipient) and could face repayment obligations if they do not complete required service, unless exempted by DOJ rules.
Local governments and public safety employers: May apply for grants and will bear administrative responsibility to document trainees, track service obligations, and potentially enforce repayment conditions. Smaller agencies may gain access to training they otherwise could not afford.
Law enforcement training providers: Likely to see increased demand for seats and programs if grants expand training access; may need to coordinate with grant recipients for invoicing and attendance tracking.
Congress and oversight bodies: Will receive annual data that can inform future funding and program adjustments. The reporting requirement increases transparency about who receives grants and retention outcomes.
Overall effects:
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced April 7, 2025 by Gary C. Peters · Last progress April 7, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 82.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.