S 1316119th CongressIntroduced

Strong Communities Act of 2025

Introduced: Apr 7, 2025

Civil Rights & Justice

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Strong Communities Act of 2025 would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to create a new program under COPS (the Community Oriented Policing Services) called the Strong Communities Program. Under this program, federal COPS funds could be used to support local law enforcement recruits and officers so they can attend law enforcement training programs at eligible institutions (colleges/universities offering training, or local law enforcement training programs). In return, the recruits and officers must agree to serve in local law enforcement agencies in their own communities for a specified period. The bill imposes specific service obligations and geographic limits, requires repayment of benefits if those obligations aren’t met, and establishes annual transparency reporting to Congress. The aim is to build closer ties between trainees and their home communities, improve local policing capacity, and encourage retention of trained officers in nearby areas.

Key Points

1Creates the COPS Strong Communities Program (Sec. 1701(q)) and defines eligible entities to include either an institution of higher education offering a law enforcement training program in coordination with a local agency, or a local law enforcement agency that offers training.
2Authorizes competitive grants to local law enforcement agencies to fund officers and recruits attending training programs at eligible entities, provided they agree to serve in a local agency in their communities.
3Sets eligibility requirements for recipients, including: a minimum 4 years of full-time service within an 8-year window after completing the training program; service must occur in a local agency near the officer/recruit’s residence (within 7 miles, or within 20 miles for small counties with populations under 150,000); and certification of employment from the local agency.
4Establishes a repayment obligation if the officer/recruit does not complete the service obligation, with AG regulations outlining extenuating circumstances that may excuse repayment.
5Adds a transparency requirement: the Attorney General must annually report to Congress on program recipients, training plans, and post-training employment outcomes, including how many officers/recruits trained remained with their recipient agency.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Local law enforcement agencies and their recruits/officers who participate in the Strong Communities Program; the communities in which these officers will serve (particularly near their residences).Secondary group/area affected: Institutions of higher education and local training programs that partner with law enforcement; local governments and communities choosing to participate in the program.Additional impacts:- Potential increase in local policing capacity and alignment between training and community needs.- Financial costs and administrative requirements for the federal government, grantees, and trainees (including repayment mechanisms and oversight).- Geographic and residency-based service requirements could influence recruitment patterns and workforce planning in rural or near-residence communities.- Enhanced program transparency and accountability through annual congressional reporting.

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