COPS grants could fund police recruitment bonuses
In committeeH.R. 5403Latest action
Sponsor: Greg Landsman · Representative · OH
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 5403 would let local police agencies use existing federal COPS grants to pay bonuses for hiring and keeping officers.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill adds a new approved use for federal COPS grants. Local law enforcement agencies could use that money to offer bonuses to recruit new officers or keep current ones from leaving. This option would only be available to agencies already seeing fewer recruits or more officers retiring and resigning than usual.
Who does it affect?
Local law enforcement agencies across the country that receive COPS grants would be affected. The change would apply only to those agencies facing staffing challenges through low recruitment or high turnover.
Why does it matter?
Right now, COPS grants cannot be used to pay recruitment or retention bonuses. This bill would add that as an allowed expense, giving qualifying agencies another tool to address staffing changes.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedSep 16, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Sep 16, 2025
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.