Bill Overview
Title: Invest to Protect Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice to award grants to local and tribal governments that employ fewer than 125 law enforcement officers. Grant funds may be used for various activities, including to provide de-escalation training and improve recruitment and retention.
Sponsors: Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Target Audience
Population: People living in small communities served by local or tribal law enforcement agencies with fewer than 200 officers
Estimated Size: 30000000
- The bill targets local or tribal governments that have fewer than 200 law enforcement officers, suggesting it directly affects smaller police departments.
- Smaller communities, including rural areas and towns with limited resources, are likely in the jurisdictions of these smaller law enforcement agencies.
- The bill aims to enhance policing capabilities through technology and training, thus potentially improving public safety and community-police relations.
- The focus on communities with fewer than 200 officers implies impacting areas with potentially high challenges in police recruitment and retention.
- Local governments and communities reliant on these smaller law enforcement agencies will experience changes in police practices and technologies.
Reasoning
- The policy is limited to communities with fewer than 200 law enforcement officers, primarily affecting rural or smaller suburban areas.
- A wide variety of people will experience different levels of impact based on their interaction with law enforcement and community safety.
- Improved law enforcement practices could lead to enhanced safety and peace of mind for residents.
- In smaller communities, law enforcement changes can significantly affect public perception and community relations.
- Resource allocation such as training and technology will enhance the police force's capabilities, impacting community wellbeing positively.
Simulated Interviews
Rancher (Montrose, Colorado)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Current police force is stretched thin.
- Body cameras and training could improve transparency and trust.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Elementary school teacher (Alpena, Michigan)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More training for officers will ensure better responses during emergencies.
- Improved recruitment may bring in more diverse officers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Local business owner (Kodiak, Alaska)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Investments in policing help to protect small businesses.
- Support for officers will help retain them longer in the community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Volunteer firefighter (Caribou, Maine)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- De-escalation training is vital for reducing violence.
- Better coordination with police will improve emergency responses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
College student (Willits, California)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Body cameras increase accountability among officers.
- Better-trained officers can improve community interactions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired (Spartanburg, South Carolina)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funds could be better spent on community programs, but agree training is necessary.
- The policy might improve response times and officer quality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Community health worker (Gallup, New Mexico)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More resources can reduce burnout among officers.
- Improved policing can lead to better health outcomes in the community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Software developer (Cassville, Missouri)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Tech upgrades for police are overdue and beneficial.
- Policy supports maintaining community as a safe place to live and work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Barista (Houghton, Michigan)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased police presence makes me feel safer at night.
- Policy can help with ensuring safe routes home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Part-time security guard (Ajo, Arizona)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Grants could help recruit more officers.
- Training will help in responding to incidents more effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 3: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 5: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 10: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Key Considerations
- The grant may need adjustments based on the size and specific requirements of each small community's law enforcement needs.
- Possible future adjustments to the grant could arise depending on the program effectiveness and technological advancements.
- The effectiveness of the investment might be variable depending on community-specific crime rates and current local policing conditions.