U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran

U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran has introduced the Strong Communities Act of 2023 to address recruitment shortages in local law enforcement.

The bill would allow funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to be used to provide training to officers and recruits who agree to serve in law enforcement agencies in their communities. The bill also would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to allow for the use of COPS funding.

The legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, D-N.C.

“Attracting and retaining law enforcement officers is a challenge for many communities, and this legislation takes us a step closer to ensuring that local law enforcement has the manpower needed to keep our communities safe and secure,” said Moran, R-Tyler.

In an effort to address recruitment problems for state and localities when it comes to law enforcement, the Strong Communities Act of 2023 provides grant funding under the condition that enrollees work with their local law enforcement agency following completion of law enforcement training. The program aims to have trained, qualified law enforcement officers who are familiar with the specific needs of its community.

“In East Texas, we’re blessed with peace officers who truly know and care about the well-being of our communities,” Moran said in an email to constituents. “Not only that, but we have personal relationships with these men and women who put their lives on the line for us — they’re family members, friends, and neighbors.”

In order to be eligible to receive grant funding under the Strong Communities Act of 2023, recruits must agree to work for a law enforcement agency in their community at least four of the eight years following their completion of a law enforcement training program. If an officer does not complete the four-year work requirement in the eight years after completing the training program, the recruit must repay the grant amount to the law enforcement agency.

Law enforcement agencies where recruits work must be within 7 miles of the residence of the recruit or 20 miles for counties with fewer than 150,000 residents.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 3% from 2021 to 2031, which represents a slower growth when compared to the five percent rate on average for all other occupations. The bureau projects about 68,500 openings for police and detective each year on average over the decade, with most resulting from the need to replace workers who transfer or exist the labor force.

“Communities are best served by those who know it well,” Moran said. “My legislation … will allow funding from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to be used for the purpose of recruiting locals and sponsoring law enforcement training programs that will encourage recruits to stay and serve in the communities they know and love.”