"The safety of our students and educators in Skokie and throughout the nation is non-negotiable. But the recent tragedy in Colorado is a grim reminder that communities are not immune to senseless violence.  That is why community policing, along with early intervention and detection, is an effective tool in keeping our schools, neighborhoods, and communities safe," said Representative Schakowsky.

 The COPS in Schools initiative provides an incentive for law enforcement agencies to build working relationship with schools to use community policing efforts to combat school violence. Community policing officers typically perform a variety of functions within the school.  Officers teach crime prevention and substance abuse awareness classes, build close ties with students, educators, and the community, and monitor troubled students.  

 COPS in Schools grants enable local law enforcement to increase their current police force.  The federal government will pay up to 75 percent of the total salary and benefits for each new officer over three years, with the remainder to be paid by local funds.