I am pleased to let you know that the Senate recently acted to support the Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, program.  Across the state, I’ve heard from law enforcement officials about how important this federal program has improved their ability to put police officers on the street by providing a measure of federal funding.

Senator Joe Biden recently offered an amendment to the appropriations bill that funds the Department of Justice to increase the COPS program by an extra $110 million, bringing the total to $660 million.  I was pleased to cosponsor this amendment, which passed on a voice vote.

The COPS program was created as part of the 1994 Crime Bill.  It provided funding, using a competitive grant process, to local communities.  More than 118,000 law enforcement officers in local police agencies throughout the nation have been hired, helping to reduce the high rates of crime in the 1990s.  More recently, the Bush Administration has worked to reduce or eliminate the COPS program; earlier this year, the President’s budget recommended providing just $32 million nationwide for the entire COPS program. 

I am a strong supporter of the COPS program, having watched its successes in communities across California.  You can count on me to keep working to fund this program at a level to ensure its success.  As always, I would be happy to hear from you about this or any other federal matter.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator