{"id":18266,"date":"2023-03-23T14:41:05","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T18:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/?post_type=press-releases&p=18266"},"modified":"2023-03-23T17:58:18","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T21:58:18","slug":"sens-ossoff-blackburn-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-fill-law-enforcement-vacancies-and-strengthen-vetting-of-recruits","status":"publish","type":"press-releases","link":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/es\/press-releases\/sens-ossoff-blackburn-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-fill-law-enforcement-vacancies-and-strengthen-vetting-of-recruits\/","title":{"rendered":"Sens. Ossoff, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Fill Law Enforcement Vacancies and Strengthen Vetting of Recruits<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many law enforcement agencies across Georgia are facing <\/em>severe staffing shortages<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bipartisan bill boosts funding for law enforcement agencies to fill vacancies<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bill also strengthens vetting of newly hired law enforcement officers<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sheriffs and Police Chiefs across Georgia endorse Sen. Ossoff\u2019s bipartisan bill<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington, D.C. \u2014 <\/strong>Following meetings with community leaders and law enforcement professionals across Georgia, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing a bipartisan bill to help fill law enforcement vacancies and protect communities from violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sens. Ossoff and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) today introduced the bipartisan Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act <\/em>to help law enforcement agencies reduce staffing shortages and effectively protect communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to WSB-TV<\/a>, several metro Atlanta law enforcement agencies are facing severe staffing shortages, and WALB Albany has reported<\/a> the Albany Police Department is 30-40% understaffed \u2014 a challenge common in communities across Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bipartisan bill would provide a one-time emergency boost in funding through the COPS Hiring Program for the hiring or rehiring of police officers and sheriffs\u2019 deputies, helping agencies fill key vacancies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bipartisan bill also establishes a new vetting requirement for officers hired using the supplemental funding provided in the bill, ensuring that they undergo background checks and mental health evaluations. Currently, Federal law does not require agencies to perform background checks on new recruits through the COPS Hiring Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGeorgia communities face serious public safety staffing shortfalls. My bipartisan bill will help communities hire and retain officers while ensuring newly hired officers undergo rigorous vetting and background checks unprecedented in federal law,\u201d Sen. Ossoff said.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe men and women in blue who dutifully protect and serve our communities need our support,\u201d said Senator Blackburn.<\/strong> \u201cIn Tennessee and across our nation, I have heard from several community sheriffs who are low on the manpower and resources needed to thoroughly do their jobs. This bipartisan legislation with Senator Ossoff takes a critical step toward strengthening hiring and bolstering our law enforcement community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sen. Ossoff\u2019s bipartisan bill is backed by Sheriffs, Police Chiefs, and public safety organizations across Georgia and nationwide, including the National Sheriffs\u2019 Association and Fraternal Order of Police (FOP):<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs we adjust and adapt to the dynamic demands placed on the law enforcement profession, recruiting and retaining deputies who are able to serve beyond the walls of the jail will be critical to our success,\u201d said Fulton County Sheriff Patrick \u2018Pat\u2019 Labat.<\/strong> \u201cMaking sure those who are sworn to protect and serve are fully equipped to meet the needs of our community remains one of my top priorities. The bipartisan Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act<\/em> introduced by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff will provide vital support toward accomplishing that mission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am pleased to support Senator Ossoff\u2019s bill to help law enforcement officers around the state, the Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act<\/em>,\u201d <\/em>Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman said.<\/strong>\u201cThe appropriated funding enables law enforcement agencies the ability to hire professional law enforcement officers. Recruitment is very competitive. Many law enforcement agencies are hamstrung with budgetary constraints therefore, causing them not to be able to hire and meet the needs of those they sworn to serve and protect. The Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act<\/em> will open doors of employment for many agencies in direct need of this critical funding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am proud to support this effort by Senators Ossoff and Blackburn to allocate Federal funds to assist local law enforcement in hiring additional officers,\u201d said Bibb County Sheriff David J. Davis.<\/strong> \u201cIt important to know that this legislation includes funds to hire newcomers to law enforcement. But more importantly, it assists agencies to re hire individuals who may have left the law enforcement profession in the past few years. As leader of one of the largest local law enforcement agencies in Georgia, it is essential for me to be able to hire capable and professional deputies. This proposal will help achieve that goal. It is good to see these Senators are thinking about those who protect our counties and cities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis funding can assist agencies whose budgets are limited on hiring and retaining personnel. Law enforcement agencies at all levels will need to evaluate how they will provide services moving forward which can include the rehiring of officers for positions that don\u2019t require sworn personnel to occupy,\u201d Albany Police Chief Michael J. Persley said. <\/strong>\u201cSen. Ossoff has become a strong advocate for supporting law enforcement in a variety of ways. From mental health legislation to additional funding for personnel operations, he is committed to ensuring the members of his state receive professional law enforcement services.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs the Sheriff of Augusta-Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, I, Richard Roundtree, can tell you unequivocally that the COPS Hiring Program will help law enforcement agencies across the United States,\u201d Augusta-Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree said.<\/strong> \u201cWe in law enforcement are facing a very challenging environment when it comes to recruitment, retention and hiring. I applaud Senator Ossoff’s efforts in promoting and facilitating this hiring program to help law enforcement to reduce and mitigate crime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecruiting and retaining top law enforcement officials continues to be one of my top priorities and challenges,\u201d said Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens.<\/strong> \u201cThe bipartisan Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act <\/em>sponsored by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff will help us better serve the people of Cobb County and attract the next generation of public safety leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs Sheriff of Gwinnett County, my office has experienced firsthand the challenges of hiring and rehiring of law enforcement personnel. My perspective is the law enforcement community must be financially prepared to meet and provide safety to our communities,\u201d said Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor.<\/strong> \u201cU.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act <\/em>would provide the emergency supplemental funding to help accomplish this objective, therefore, I do not hesitate to give my full support to this new bill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the nation\u2019s Sheriffs, we thank Senators Ossoff and Blackburn for their support of Law Enforcement. Recruitment and retention of law enforcement is a huge challenge right now, and these resources will be invaluable to improving both,\u201d National Sheriffs\u2019 Association Executive Director Jonathan Thompson said<\/strong>. \u201cThat and increasing crime prevention efforts is vital in keeping our communities safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAcross the country, police departments are fighting to contain the increased violent crime our communities are facing, but they are understaffed, under-resourced, and struggling to hire and retain good, qualified officers. In introducing the Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act<\/em>, Senator Ossoff recognizes the vital importance of the COPS Hiring Program, which provides invaluable assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies for the hiring and rehiring of qualified officers,\u201d Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations, said.<\/strong> \u201cThis legislation will immediately inject much needed resources to state and local law enforcement agencies to help them hire and rehire thoroughly vetted officers and keep our communities safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe law enforcement profession continues to struggle with recruiting and retaining officers,\u201d said Eddie Garcia, President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association and Chief of the Dallas Police Department. <\/strong>\u201cNearly every MCCA member is understaffed, which creates many operational and logistical challenges. COPS Hiring Grants are a critical tool, and this infusion of new resources will assist local law enforcement agencies with continuing to hire and rehire additional highly qualified law enforcement officers to serve their communities. The MCCA thanks Sen. Ossoff and Sen. Blackburn for their leadership on this critical issue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox also endorsed the bipartisan bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sen. Ossoff continues to work to improve public safety and keep communities across Georgia safe. Last year, Sen. Ossoff\u2019s bipartisan bill to fund law enforcement and mental health services became law<\/strong><\/a>. The Senate also recently passed his bipartisan legislation with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to protect children from online exploitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/a> to read the bipartisan Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many law enforcement agencies across Georgia are facing severe staffing shortages Bipartisan bill boosts funding for law enforcement agencies to fill vacancies Bill also strengthens vetting of newly hired law enforcement officers Sheriffs and Police Chiefs across Georgia endorse Sen. Ossoff\u2019s bipartisan bill Washington, D.C. \u2014 Following meetings with community leaders and law enforcement professionals across Georgia, […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18266","press-releases","type-press-releases","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press_releases\/18266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press_releases"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press-releases"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press_releases\/18266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18276,"href":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press_releases\/18266\/revisions\/18276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}