Congressman McNerney's Bill Will Help Veterans Get Law Enforcement Jobs

Press Release

Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) announced he has introduced H.R. 4769, the Veterans Involved in Police Services (VIPS) Act, which would re-establish the Department of Justice (DOJ) Troops to COPS program.

The Troops to COPS program encourages the hiring of recently returned military veterans as law enforcement officers by making federal funds available for local police agencies to hire new officers.

"I am committed to making sure our service members can find jobs when they leave active duty and return to the civilian workforce, "said Rep. McNerney. "The Troops to COPS program is a win-win for our veterans and our law enforcement agencies. Our veterans have received military training that makes them well-qualified for careers in civilian law enforcement. And our police departments will benefit from the skills and experience those veterans bring to the job."

Starting in 1995, the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program, administered by the DOJ, included the Troops to COPS program. The program ended in 1999. Rep. McNerney's bill authorizes funding through the COPS Hiring Program to reinstate the Troops to COPS program.

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