EAGLE Act of 2025
The EAGLE Act of 2025 (Establishing Accreditation Grants for Law Enforcement Act) would require the Attorney General to create a grant program to help small local law enforcement agencies obtain or renew accreditation from professional standards organizations (such as CALEA). The program must be established within 90 days of enactment, and would provide grants to eligible local agencies—specifically those with fewer than 350 employees—to cover accreditation-related costs (fees, on-site assessments, and extension fees). The bill authorizes $10 million for fiscal year 2025 to fund the program, with funds remaining available until expended. Agencies would apply by demonstrating financial need and specifying the requested funding for accreditation activities. The grants may only be used for the stated accreditation-related purposes. The bill's aim is to elevate professional standards among smaller local police departments by supporting their pursuit of recognized accreditation, potentially improving accountability, consistency in operations, and public trust.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a grant program, run by the Attorney General, to support the accreditation or re-certification of local law enforcement agencies.
- 2Eligibility: grants awarded to local agencies with fewer than 350 employees that submit an application showing financial need and a requested amount for accreditation-related costs (fees, on-site assessments, extension fees).
- 3Eligible uses: funds may be used only for qualified accreditation or re-certification costs.
- 4Funding and duration: authorizes $10,000,000 for FY2025; funds remain available until expended.
- 5Definitions: “Qualified accreditation or re-certification” means accreditation by a recognized professional organization that develops accreditation standards (e.g., CALEA); “local law enforcement agency” refers to a local government agency authorized to handle criminal law enforcement and with fewer than 350 employees.