Recruit and Retain Act
118th Congress: Senate Bill No. 546
Introduced on February 28, 2023
Latest action on May 24, 2024
Goals
Synopsis
expands cops grant program for law enforcement recruitment and retention
provides grants for partnerships with educational institutions for recruiting activities
supports recruitment efforts for law enforcement agencies in elementary schools
requires the government accountability office to study and report on the effects of recruitment and attrition rates on law enforcement agencies
supports recruitment efforts at career job fairs
allows funds to be used to reduce law enforcement application fees for things like psychologic evaluations
supports recruitment efforts in secondary schools for law enforcement
Sponsors
Summary
Recruit and Retain Act
This bill expands the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to support recruitment efforts by law enforcement agencies.
Specifically, the bill expands the COPS program by
- allowing funds to be used for reducing application-related fees (e.g., fees for background checks, psychological evaluations, and testing); and
- directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award competitive grants to partnerships between law enforcement agencies and educational institutions (e.g., elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education) for recruiting activities, such as for career and job fairs.
The bill requires DOJ to establish guidance for understaffed law enforcement agencies applying for COPS grants.
The Government Accountability Office must study and report on the effects of recruitment and attrition rates on federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies.