SE Nebraska News

U.S. Congressman Mike Flood expressed his support for the Recruit and Retain Act, also known as S. 546, following its passage in the U.S. House of Representatives. The original introducer of this measure is U.S. Senator Fischer (NE). This development comes as the nation observes Police Week across the country.

Congressman Flood stated, “Peace officers help keep our communities safe each day, and we need to do everything we can to support them.” He added that this "commonsense measure provides reasonable flexibility to the existing COPS grant program at a time when law enforcement agencies are facing headwinds in recruiting new officers." He praised Senator Fischer and the bipartisan coalition for their role in delivering this crucial legislation and urged President Biden to sign it into law.

S. 546 aims to expand the eligible criteria for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to include initiatives related to recruitment and retention. In addition, it proposes a new COPS Pipeline Partnership Program that encourages collaboration between schools and law enforcement agencies with an aim to nurture future peace officers.

Earlier this year, Congressman Flood initiated a campaign titled “Nebraska Backs the Blue” aimed at attracting more law enforcement officers to Nebraska.