Bill Overview
Title: Recruit and Retain Act
Description: This bill expands the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to support recruitment efforts by law enforcement agencies. Specifically, the bill expands the COPS program by allowing funds to be used for reducing application-related fees (e.g., fees for background checks, psychological evaluations, and testing); and directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award competitive grants to partnerships between law enforcement agencies and educational institutions (e.g., elementary schools and institutions of higher education) for recruiting activities, such as for career and job fairs. The bill requires DOJ to establish guidance for understaffed law enforcement agencies applying for COPS grants. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on the effects of recruitment and attrition rates on federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies.
Sponsors: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Target Audience
Population: Law enforcement agencies and prospective law enforcement recruits
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The bill targets law enforcement agencies across federal, state, tribal, and local levels.
- The COPS program is designed to enhance community policing efforts, impacting the law enforcement workforce.
- By reducing application-related fees, the bill aims to make it easier for individuals considering a law enforcement career, potentially increasing interest and application rates.
- Collaborations with educational institutions suggest a focus on younger populations, possibly aiming to interest students in law enforcement careers.
Reasoning
- The population affected by this policy primarily includes those working in or aspiring to join law enforcement, and communities served by these agencies.
- The policy's impact will vary based on socio-economic, geographic, and occupational factors.
- The policy aims to improve recruitment by reducing costs for candidates and fostering partnerships with educational institutions.
- The policy has a potentially larger impact on individuals facing financial barriers to entry into law enforcement.
- The policy's short-term effectiveness might be modest due to limited budget in the first year compared to the number of agencies it seeks to support.
- Long-term impacts could include an improved perception of law enforcement as a career due to enhanced accessibility and outreach efforts.
Simulated Interviews
Recent College Graduate (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested in law enforcement but the fees involved in applying have been a barrier.
- If this policy helps reduce initial costs, more people might seriously consider joining the force.
- Outreach efforts in schools and colleges will help students see law enforcement as a viable career path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Sheriff's Deputy (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our department struggles with recruitment and retention.
- This support could make recruitment easier by reducing financial and logistical barriers.
- I hope it results in more officers, which would help reduce strain on the current team and enhance community trust.
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 | 7 | 4 |
High School Senior (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 18 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's cool to see my school could partner with police for career fairs.
- Entrance fees were something I worried about when thinking about law enforcement work.
- If it becomes easier to apply, I'm more likely to give it a shot.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Police Officer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our department needs more officers to adequately serve our areas.
- The policy focusing on lowering entry costs might help increase applications.
- Partnering with schools could also help bridge gaps between cops and communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Public School Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Partnerships between schools and law enforcement can help reshape how students view police.
- Reducing fees can make law enforcement seem more accessible to students from varied backgrounds.
- It could promote jobs not seen as options before.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College Student (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The thought of more fees after college is daunting.
- This policy could lessen financial strain when applying to law enforcement jobs.
- Seems like a good move to attract more young people.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Police Chief (Houston, TX)
Age: 59 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Grants are vital since our budget is stretched thin.
- Encouraging schools involvement can be beneficial long-term.
- Reducing the financial burden on applicants can improve diversity in recruits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Unemployed (Orlando, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've thought about law enforcement but the steps and costs felt overwhelming.
- Policy might lower these barriers making me reconsider my options.
- It would be interesting to see more focus on community interaction.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Community Leader (Albuquerque, NM)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving recruitment will help with community patrolling gaps.
- Schools involvement signifies a positive change for future generations' views on policing.
- I support this if it leads to better community-focused policing initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Social Worker (Jackson, MS)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I like the focus on education partnerships - police need a better rep with youth.
- Reducing barriers to entry will help in creating a more diverse police force.
- Hoping to see improvement in community policing initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $31000000 (Low: $26000000, High: $36000000)
Year 3: $32000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $37000000)
Year 5: $34000000 (Low: $29000000, High: $39000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The act targets both law enforcement gaps and fosters relations with educational institutions, potentially addressing future workforce shortages.
- Administrative complexity and the burden on DOJ to establish new guidelines could affect timely implementation.
- Measuring the act's success depends on long-term shifts in recruitment and attrition trends.
- Coordination between multiple agencies, including DOJ and GAO, is critical for effective implementation and evaluation.