Rep. Johnson stands with law enforcement united against proposed cuts to COPS

Congressman Johnson fights to save federal funding to keep police on streets

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, stood by members of law enforcement organizations today to oppose the proposed elimination of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office.

The proposed elimination of the COPS Office is included in the FY2012 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which is scheduled to be marked up by the House Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday.

The COPS Office’s programs include the COPS Hiring Program, which this year made $240 million in federal aid available to help communities keep police officers on the job.

“Now is not the time to turn our backs on our local law enforcement officers,” said Johnson, a longtime supporter of COPS. “At a time when states are struggling to balance their budgets, they need federal support to ensure they have the resources they need to keep their communities safe. COPS is vital to this equation.”

Johnson said COPS grants are critical to keeping our families and communities safe.

Since 1995, the COPS program has invested more than $177 million in Georgia law enforcement agencies, which was used to hire more than 2,400 officers and provide more than $24 million in technology upgrades.

In 2009, DeKalb County was awarded more than $3,000,000 to fund 15 officer positions, and Conyers received more than $400,000 to fund three officers. Last October, Hank presented Chief John King of Doraville with a COPS grant of $385,000 to hire two additional officers.

“This type of funding is critical for our department’s mission,” said Chief King. “I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to law enforcement officials that while we risk our lives on the streets every day, Hank is providing us the support we need in Washington.”

Photo above: Hank meets with Doraville Police Chief John King in Washington recently.

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