WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today concerning the COPS Improvements Act of 2007, which is being considered on the House Floor today:

“A our nation commemorates National Police Week this week and the 26th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day today (May 15), let us honor the memory of those who have fallen in the line of duty and thank those who carry on their legacy, serving in communities across this nation, keeping the peace, and protecting the American people.

“Through this legislation, the COPS Improvements Act of 2007, the new Democratic Majority in this House again demonstrated its absolute commitment to taking decisive action that protects our communities and combats crime.

“In short, this legislation reauthorizes the highly successful Community Oriented Policing Services Program (or COPS), which was enacted in 1994 under the Clinton Administration and which helped local law enforcement agencies hire 117,000 additional officers between 1995 and 2005 – including 908 officers in Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District.

“Unfortunately, the former House Majority sharply reduced the funding for the universal hiring program under COPS in recent years – from more than $1 billion a year in the late 1990s, to $10 million in 2005, to the complete elimination of hiring grants in 2006.

“House Democrats believe it is imperative to reinvigorate the successful COPS program.  And thus, this legislation calls for putting 50,000 additional police officers on the streets over the next six years by authorizing $600 million a year for COPS hiring grants; $350 million a year for COPS technology grants; and $200 million a year for hiring community prosecutors.

“The federal government is a committed partner in protecting Americans not only from the threat posed by international terrorism, but also from the dangers posed by domestic crime.”

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