Support Builds for Golden-led Bipartisan Bill to Help Rural Law Enforcement Hire More Officers

WASHINGTON — Following the introduction of the bipartisan COPS on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act by Congressman Jared Golden and three of his House colleagues, the 56-member House Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed the bill this week. The legislation would nearly triple available funding for the COPS program to over $1 billion in FY2022, reauthorize the program for ten years, and specifically expand access to the grants for rural communities.

"We're seeing law enforcement agencies stretched thin across Maine right now, and I know our state isn't the only one. Congress has a significant role to play to help states, towns, and counties address this issue and I'm glad to see growing support from both parties for strengthening the COPS grant program and focusing it on rural areas. I thank the Problem Solvers Caucus for its support and we'll continue to push this bill forward."

Since the program's establishment in 1994, the COPS Grant Program has awarded more than $14 billion to local law enforcement agencies to hire and train officers for community policing. However, funding for the program has been cut significantly since 2011. Golden's bill would reauthorize the program with $7 billion in new funding for the next decade.

This legislation is also supported by the Fraternal Order of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs Association, National Organization of Police Officers, National Sheriffs Association, and Sergeants Benevolent Association.

Golden joined Reps. Tom Rice (SC-07), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), and Jaime Herrera-Beutler (WA-03) to introduce the bill earlier this year.

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