Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) have come up with a solution to help ameliorate the recruitment and retainment crisis plaguing local law enforcement agencies across the country in the form of the Educational and Career Opportunities for Public Safety (EdCOPS) Act of 2024.
Introduced on June 5, the bipartisan legislation aims to address the decline in law enforcement staffing by providing education benefits to public safety officers and their dependents. Under the EdCOPS Act, officers who have served for eight years and commit to serving four additional years for a single employer would be eligible to receive financial assistance to attend a program of higher education. Eligible officers could also transfer their unused education benefits to their dependents.
“As crime rates rise and law enforcement agencies experience staffing shortages, Congress must ensure that states have the resources they need to attract and retain high-quality police officers. This bill would do just that by investing in the men and women in blue who keep our communities safe,” Hawley explained.
In a joint press release, Hawley and Kelly cited a 2023 Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) study that showed that police agencies nationwide saw 50% more resignations from officers in 2022 than in 2019 and that total sworn officer staffing has dropped nearly 5% over the past three years.
The bill was born out of conversations that took place between Kelly and former Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Paul Penzone, who retired in January of this year.
“As the son of two police officers, I have a personal appreciation for the work local law enforcement do every day to keep us safe,” Kelly said. “With the EdCOPS Act, we’re supporting this crucial work by providing them with academic and career opportunities so they can reach their full potential while serving their communities. This investment will retain valuable officers and help recruit new ones, making our state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies stronger.”
“The sacrifices by those who wear a uniform are the pillars for our free nation. Senator Kelly has served and respects the sacrifices of our public safety professionals. This legislation speaks to his commitment for law enforcement families,” Penzone said.
Backers of the bill include the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Pima County Sheriff’s Office, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Nogales Police Department, Tucson Police Department, Flagstaff Police Department, Prescott Valley Police Department, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) and the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Arizona (CLEAA).
