"The Law Enforcement Partnership to Combat Terrorism Act" seeks to designate 25 percent of available COPS grant funding for the hiring and training of intelligence officers and analysts by state and local police departments, in an effort to further promote our nation's anti-terrorism efforts.

"Much has changed in local law-enforcement since September 11, 2001," Saxton said. "With a heightened awareness of the devastating effects of terrorism, our nation is undergoing change on every level, in order to ensure that National and Homeland Security are improved in the best ways possible."

As the Chairman of the House Armed Services Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism, Saxton played an active role in many of these initiatives. While many important steps have already been taken in fighting the war on terrorism, he said more can be done to ensure a concentrated, connected, nation-wide effort.

"I feel that it is imperative to enhance the anti-terrorism efforts of our police departments, as opposed to simply providing funding for the traditional community policing efforts," Saxton said. "Designating 25 percent of available COPS funding to increase the number of law enforcement officers involved in activities that are focused on intelligence efforts is an important step in this direction."

The bill states that specialized training will be provided for one intelligence officer and one analyst officer per grant recipient. Such training will include enhancing the officers' observation, information gathering, foreign language and analytic skills necessary to spot terrorist threats in their communities. These officers, in turn, will be able to share their skills with the other members of their police force. In addition, the legislation directs the Attorney General to ensure that all intelligence and analyst officers have top secret security clearances. Such security clearances will allow these State and local law enforcement officers to share information with Federal officials, facilitating a concentrated effort.

By providing the necessary funding, the bill, H.R. 5307, intends to help promote coordination among Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers to ensure an interconnected, concentrated effort in the war on terrorism.  Saxton said he was confident that these efforts will be successful in allowing state and local law enforcement officers to play a vital role in the enhancement of our Homeland Security.

"One of the best ways to face the new threat to Americans in our own country can best be addressed by active involvement by law enforcement agencies, especially local police, " Saxton said. "The COPS grant program has been successful, and one of the reasons is because it is versatile and police departments can choose to apply for grants to put police in schools, help transform Armed Services veterans into police officers, put bicycle cops and walking cops on the street or add officers. We are at a point in our history where we need to adapt the COPS program to meet the new threat."