Bill Overview
Title: Communities Deserve Cops Act
Description: This bill allows funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program to be used to provide signing bonuses and retention bonuses for law enforcement officers.
Sponsors: Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-4]
Target Audience
Population: People in communities impacted by police presence and community policing programs worldwide
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program impacts local communities, particularly those focused on enhancing relationships between police forces and the communities they serve.
- The funding of bonuses for law enforcement officers may influence the attractiveness of the profession, potentially affecting staffing levels and the quality of community policing.
- Residents in areas with increased police presence, or improved officer morale and retention due to these bonuses, may experience changes in police-community interactions.
- The target population broadly includes people in communities where law enforcement may strengthen their presence and relationships through the new funds.
Reasoning
- The budget of $200 million in year 1 suggests a limited, targeted impact. The funds are likely focused in certain communities, potentially urban or suburban, where the need for enhanced police-community interaction is significant.
- The overall U.S. population is large, but the program's effects will be felt more in specific communities that receive grants, possibly impacting law enforcement staffing and morale in these areas.
- The introduction of signing and retention bonuses might make a career in law enforcement more attractive, potentially improving recruitment of qualified candidates and retention of experienced officers.
- In communities receiving increased police presence and improved morale, residents may experience changes in perceptions of safety and law enforcement effectiveness, affecting their self-reported wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
School Teacher (St. Louis, MO)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a teacher, I often worry about the safety of my students, especially with the recent incidents in our neighborhood. If more officers are on the streets, maybe it would deter crime.
- I hope better motivation for officers means they'll also engage more positively with the community, but only time will tell.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Farmer (Rural Ohio)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I doubt we'll see much change round here; we're used to very little police presence.
- If more incentives keep officers nearby, maybe things would change, but I ain't holding my breath.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I often hear both positive and negative things about our police force.
- Increased bonuses should hopefully lead to better officer attitudes and actions, but I hope the community dialogue stays open.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Small Business Owner (Houston, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We had a break-in last year and there was little help from the police.
- Any initiative that would improve their response or presence would be appreciated, as long as it doesn't reduce their quality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retired Nurse (Miami, FL)
Age: 56 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our neighborhood has kept quite safe through a cooperative relationship with law enforcement.
- Additional financial measures might be good if they specifically enhance this spirit of collaboration.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Barista (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have mixed feelings about more police incentives when there are many social issues unresolved.
- If bonuses improve how they engage with communities, I could see some positivity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Retired School Principal (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 9.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Bonuses could be a good thing if they help retain quality officers.
- I just hope these changes mean more focus on preventing crime rather than just reacting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Logistics Manager (Memphis, TN)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about my late-night commute through some parts of town.
- If these bonuses keep officers actively engaged in improving safety, it could be a good step.
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 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
College Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Extra incentives might mean more officers care about community issues, which we need on campus.
- A safer environment is crucial for our well-being as students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Social Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Retention bonuses could be positive for maintaining the progress we've made in community police relations.
- I hope this funding is carefully deployed to avoid just inflating salaries without returns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $200000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $300000000)
Year 3: $200000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $300000000)
Year 5: $200000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $300000000)
Year 10: $200000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $300000000)
Year 100: $200000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- Community impact is critical; the effectiveness of such programs relies on proper implementation and community trust.
- Improved morale due to bonuses could lead to long-term benefits such as reduced crime rates, but these are hard to quantify.