Rep. McNerney presses for more funding for law enforcement hiring & technology

Washington, DC – Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-09) today sent a letter to House and Senate appropriators asking them to include additional money in the latest government funding bill for law enforcement agencies to hire more officers and purchase needed technologies.

The letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees asks them to include robust funding for the COPS (Community Oriented Policing) TechnologyGrants and Hiring programs in any FY 2015 spending bills passed by the two chambers. Rep. McNerney’s letter was co-signed by 47 of his House colleagues, including Reps. Dave Reichert (WA-8) and Bill Pascrell (NJ-9).

Earlier this year, a bipartisan majority in the House passed an amendment authored by Rep. McNerney that would have made an additional $3 million available for the COPS technology grant program.

“This funding is used by our law enforcement agencies to put more officers on the streets and buy the technology that helps them save lives,” said Rep. McNerney. “Many of our nation's police forces are operating with fewer officers than they need, and with outdated equipment. In my district, the Stockton Police Department purchased a new technology that allows them to accurately trace the location of a single gunshot. Officers from the SPD told me it enhanced their relationship with the community by allowing them to respond quickly which gives residents more confidence in their safety.”

The COPS technology program awarded grants to over 3,000 law enforcement agencies around the United States until its funding expired in 2010. COPS is intended to advance the practice of community policing in America’s state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies.

The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) applauded Rep. McNerney’s work on behalf of law enforcement: “NAPO, which represents 241,000 sworn law enforcement officers from across the country, is a staunch advocate of the COPS Hiring Program, said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of NAPO . "This critical program provides resources to put more police officers on the street, which allows officers to build strong relationships with the communities they serve.  NAPO will continue to advocate for increased funding of this vital program, which contributes to increased public safety in communities across the nation.”