Bipartisan legislation proposed by U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) addresses police staffing shortages in her home state and across America by investing $100 million in state and local law enforcement programs.
Rep. Herrera Beutler on May 18 signed on as one of nine original cosponsors of the Pathways to Policing Act, H.R. 7826, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) to authorize grants for recruiting police officers, according to the text of the bill.
“With crime on the rise, having a well-trained and robust police force to protect our communities is more important than ever. However, nearly every sheriff’s office and police department will tell you that staffing is one of their biggest challenges,” Rep. Herrera Beutler said. “The Pathways to Policing Act would provide education and training opportunities to address this hiring need head-on and would make sure we have more qualified men and women in law enforcement to keep our streets safe.”
If enacted, the bill would provide the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with $50 million to operate nationwide recruitment campaigns, and an additional $50 million to create and operate Pathways to Policing programs that support local and statewide marketing and recruiting efforts.
Such campaigns would seek to encourage members of communities traditionally underrepresented in the field of law enforcement or who have non-traditional educational or career backgrounds to seek employment in law enforcement, according to a bill summary provided by the congresswoman’s office.
Among the lawmakers who joined Rep. Herrera Beutler as an original cosponsor of H.R. 7826 are U.S. Reps. Peter Meijer (R-MI), Don Bacon (R-NE), and David Valadao (R-CA).
The measure is supported by several law enforcement leaders: Vancouver (Wash.) Police Chief James McElvain; Cowlitz County (Wash.) Sheriff Brad Thurman; Washougal (Wash.) Police Chief Wendi Steinbronn; and Executive Director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Steven Strachan.
H.R. 7826 has been referred to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee for consideration.