Cortez Masto, Grassley push for grants for small police departments

Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are pushing to launch a grant program to boost resources for small law enforcement departments across the country.

Dubbed the Invest to Protect Act, the legislation would set aside $250 million over the next five years to help local police invest in training, mental health support, and recruitment and retention.

“Nevada’s small police departments deserve more access to critical funding to keep communities safe,” Cortez Masto said in a statement.

“I’ll always stand up for our law enforcement, and this bipartisan bill is simple – it gets our police in rural, suburban, and Tribal communities the resources they need.”

The funding would be available only to those departments with a maximum of 175 officers. According to law enforcement associations, 90 percent of U.S. police departments have fewer than 50 law enforcement officers.

The funding could be used for a variety of training activities for officers, including how to respond to active shooter situations or those with mental health issues. It would also help with funding graduate degrees in social work and related fields. The funds would also be available for retention bonuses for officers who commit to staying in a small police department for at least another three years.

The funding would be doled out through the existing Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program administered by the Department of Justice.

“Law enforcement in Iowa and across the nation are struggling with low recruitment and retention rates,” Grassley said in a statement.

“Our bipartisan bill would unlock access to critical resources, allowing local law enforcement to grow and strengthen their forces. As always, I’m proud to back the blue and will continue to protect and support our courageous officers.”

Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Rafael Warnock (D-Ga.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.) all signed on as co-sponsors.

Updated at 10:38 a.m. EST

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