Duval Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives John Rutherford (FL-05) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) reintroduced the Invest to Protect Act, along with Representatives Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04) and Steven Horsford (NV-04). The Invest to Protect Act will make critical investments in smaller police departments, those with fewer than 200 sworn officers, that will help with recruitment, retention, mental health support, and officer training.

Police departments experienced 47 percent more resignations and nearly 20 percent more retirements in 2022, compared to 2019. Police academies are receiving fewer applicants, and the rate of PTSD among police officers increased nearly 30 percent from January 2020 to April 2021.

“Last Congress, the House passed the bipartisan Invest to Protect Act to help small law enforcement agencies with their recruiting and retention, training, and improving officer well-being,” said Congressman Rutherford. “As a former sheriff myself, I know the difference this funding can make and I see the challenges smaller agencies face when trying to navigate the federal grant process. I am eager to again work with Representative Gottheimer on passing our bill that will streamline the grant process for smaller law enforcement agencies and provide valuable resources to our officers.”

“The bipartisan Invest to Protect Act will make critical investments in our departments and ensure that our police officers in smaller towns across Northern New Jersey, and our nation, have the resources and training they need to keep themselves and communities safe,” said Congressman Gottheimer. “If you want to make something better, and there’s always room for improvement, whether that’s a road or a school, you don’t get there by cutting or defunding. You need to make smart, targeted investments. You must invest, not defund. You can have both justice and public safety. You don’t have to pick between one or the other. Today’s bipartisan legislation will help ensure we have both, and protect our communities and officers.”

The bipartisan Invest to Protect Act is endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), The National Troopers Coalition (NTC), the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the National Tactical Officers Coalition, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and several state organizations.

“Over the last few years, law enforcement officers have faced many challenges and threats to their well-being that have created a dangerous environment for those sworn to protect the public. These challenges have ranged from violence against officers, an increase in violent rhetoric against them, lagging technology, recruitment and retention issues, and mental health concerns. Smaller municipalities are experiencing increased strain on the men and women in blue. We believe that the ‘Invest to Protect Act’ can help our nation’s smaller agencies and departments combat these issues that plague law enforcement officers in smaller municipalities and help these same smaller agencies recruit new officers and retain experienced personnel,” said National Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick Yoes.

“The Department of Justice’s law enforcement assistance grant programs provide much-needed resources, training, and technical assistance to many state and local law enforcement agencies. However, small agencies across the country are getting left behind due to their inability to complete the onerous Federal grant solicitation process. The Invest to Protect Act will create a broad grant program specifically for small agencies that will give them easier access to resources to help them train their officers, implement, or expand body-worn camera programs, and retain and hire officers,” said National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) Executive Director Bill Johnson.

Last year, the Invest to Protect Act passed the House with 360 votes.

Background:

The Invest to Protect Act creates a grant program that helps police departments with fewer than 200 officers:

• Invest in de-escalation and domestic violence response training. This critical training helps officers be more effective at their jobs. Grant funding also may be used to offset overtime pay, so that training does not put a strain on department budgets.
• Invest in officer recruitment and retention. Departments may use grant funding to help bring in new officers, or to help keep existing officers through retention bonuses and educational benefits for officers pursuing graduate degrees in public health, social work, and mental health.
• Invest in mental health. Departments may use the funding to expand the mental health options made available to their officers.

Original source can be found here.