Pathways to Policing Act
The Pathways to Policing Act would add a new grant program to the federal COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) framework to boost police officer recruitment. It creates a competitive grant to states, units of local government, and law enforcement agencies to fund two main uses: (1) marketing and recruitment campaigns and (2) Pathways to Policing programs that help people overcome barriers to education and training for law enforcement careers. The bill emphasizes diversity and community presence, prioritizing applicants who recruit from underrepresented or nontraditional backgrounds and those who aim to recruit from or near the communities they will serve. It also requires annual reporting on grant activities and would authorize substantial new federal funding (about $50 million per year from 2026 to 2030 for the grant program and an additional $50 million per year for a nationwide marketing campaign). In addition to the grant program, the bill mandates a nationwide marketing and recruitment campaign led by the Attorney General to encourage diverse and nontraditional candidates, with broad consultation and the creation of educational materials for states and agencies to run their own campaigns.
Key Points
- 1Establishes PART PP—LAW ENFORCEMENT HIRING SUPPORT GRANT under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, administered by the COPS Director, with competitive grants to states, units of local government, and law enforcement agencies.
- 2Grant use limitations: not more than 50% of each recipient’s funds may go to marketing/recruitment campaigns; not more than 50% may go to Pathways to Policing programs.
- 3Priority criteria: grants should favor applicants seeking to recruit members of communities traditionally underrepresented in policing and those with nontraditional educational or career backgrounds; and prioritize recruitment from communities to be served (or nearby communities) as part of community policing goals.
- 4Pathways to Policing programs defined: programs that help candidates who face barriers to education/training and have no prior law enforcement experience; provide financial support (tuition, compensation, or benefits) during officer education/training; may include part-time, uniformed positions that support training toward full-time policing roles.
- 5Funding levels: authorizes $50 million per fiscal year (FY 2026–FY 2030) to carry out sections 3061–3063; also authorizes $50 million per fiscal year (FY 2026–FY 2030) to carry out section 3065 (the nationwide marketing campaign).
- 6National marketing campaign: within 1 year of enactment, the Attorney General must develop and implement a nationwide marketing and recruitment campaign, consult widely (state AGs, law enforcement, professional associations, community groups, researchers), and produce educational materials for states/agencies to use in their campaigns; funded separately at $50 million per year through 2030.