Hunt Introduces Bill to Address Law Enforcement Recruitment Numbers

Representative Wesley Hunt (R-TX) has introduced the Recruit and Retain Act, a bill designed to address the hiring challenges that law enforcement agencies are experiencing at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels nationwide.

The bill would alleviate the overhead of the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) faces by reducing the costs of hiring new officers, background checks, psychological evaluations, and testing. It would also ensure that CHP grants are available to all law enforcement agencies nationwide, “create new opportunities for law enforcement to build trust and interest in law enforcement careers with local youth,” and “research the latest data and uncover new insights into law enforcement and retention trends across the country.”

Rep. Hunt was “proud” of the endorsements his legislation has already received.

“I'm proud to say this bipartisan bill has been endorsed by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Sheriff's Association, and others,” said Rep. Hunt. "When our police departments are well-funded and maintained, our communities are safer.”

Hunt’s colleague, Representative Troy Nehls (R-TX) publicly endorsed the Recruit and Retain Act, during a Congressional hearing on Tuesday, the day after four law enforcement officers were killed in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“Police agencies are and have been defunded. Recruitment is down. We all know it. Assaults on law enforcement are up, up and up each and every year. They’re going higher. Our cities are burning across the country and the American people – I will tell you – the American people will hold those accountable and they will hold the left accountable for this,” said Rep. Nehls.

He continued, “I want to express my support for the Recruit and Retain Act, led by my good friend and fellow Texan, Wesley Hunt. Yesterday, these four law enforcement officers were fatally shot and four others were wounded while serving an arrest warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina … folks this bill, which expands the COPS Grant Program to support law enforcement recruitment efforts, is needed now. It’s needed now more than ever.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the upper chamber by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE). It has 11 co-sponsors, six of which are Democrats.