WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del), co-founder of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, along with Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the COPS Reauthorization Act to maintain critical support for local law enforcement. The bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program through fiscal year 2023. The COPS program awards grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies throughout the United States so they can hire new officers and provide needed training and technical assistance to community leaders and local law enforcement at all levels.
“The COPS program helps keep our communities safe by creating partnerships among all levels of law enforcement and strengthening our local police departments. In the past two years alone, this program has supported the hiring of twenty-one new officers in Delaware communities like Cheswold, Delmar, Laurel, Ocean View, Smyrna, and Wilmington. This is the type of program that makes a real difference in our communities, and I am proud to support it,” Senator Coons said.
The legislation is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, Sergeants Benevolent Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Major County Sheriffs Association, Major Cities Chiefs Association and National Sheriffs Association.