Fischer’s bipartisan Recruit and Retain Act would bolster understaffed police departments

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) recently unveiled a bipartisan bill aimed at helping America’s law enforcement agencies improve recruitment and hiring.

Sen. Fischer on Nov. 16 sponsored the Recruit and Retain Act, S. 5103, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) to improve the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants and create a new partnership program between schools and police departments to enhance the local pipeline of potential law enforcement recruits, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Fischer’s staff.

“Due to a number of factors, including the demonization of police, many law enforcement agencies are facing massive recruitment and retention challenges. Communities across the country are paying the price because, without a well-staffed workforce, it’s simply harder for police departments to carry out their mission effectively,” Sen. Fischer said. “This bill would fundamentally invest in our law enforcement officers and support their tireless work to keep communities safe.”

If enacted, S. 5103 specifically would focus on five areas: supporting officer onboarding; reducing administrative burdens; authorizing the Pipeline Partnership Program within COPS; providing better grant guidance for understaffed agencies; and directing a comprehensive study on recruitment and retention challenges law enforcement agencies face nationwide, and how these trends are impacting public safety, the summary says. 

“The Recruit and Retain Act will provide resources to these understaffed agencies, help build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and have a tangible impact on public safety,” said Sen. Coons. “I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and send it to the president’s desk.”

S. 5103 has received national and state endorsements from numerous organizations, including the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Sheriffs Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Omaha (Neb.) Police Department, the Nebraska Sheriffs Association, and the Nebraska Police Chiefs Association, among others.

The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.