Strong Communities Program

Section 1701 of Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10381) is amended—(1)by redesignating subsection (m) as subsection (n); and(2)by inserting after subsection (l) the following:

(m)

COPS Strong Communities Program

(1)

Definitions

In this subsection:(A)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means—(i)an institution of higher education, as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001), that, in coordination or through an agreement with a local law enforcement agency, offers a law enforcement training program; or(ii)a local law enforcement agency that offers a law enforcement training program.(B)

Local law enforcement agency

The term local law enforcement agency means an agency of a State, unit of local government, or Indian Tribe that is authorized by law or by a government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of criminal law.(2)

Grants

The Attorney General may use amounts otherwise appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2020) to make competitive grants to local law enforcement agencies to be used for officers and recruits to attend law enforcement training programs at eligible entities if the officers and recruits agree to serve in law enforcement agencies in their communities. (3)

Eligibility

To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, each officer or recruit described in paragraph (2) shall—(A)serve as a full-time law enforcement officer for a total of not fewer than 4 years during the 8-year period beginning on the date on which the officer or recruit completes a law enforcement training program for which the officer or recruit received benefits;(B)complete the service described in subparagraph (A) in a local law enforcement agency located within—(i)7 miles of the residence of the officer or recruit where the officer or recruit has resided for not fewer than 5 years; or(ii)if the officer or recruit resides in a county with fewer than 150,000 residents, within 20 miles of the residence of the officer or recruit where the officer or recruit has resided for not fewer than 5 years; and(C)submit to the eligible entity evidence of employment of the officer or recruit in the form of a certification by the chief administrative officer of the local law enforcement agency where the officer or recruit is employed.(4)

Repayment

(A)

In general

If an officer or recruit does not complete the service described in paragraph (3), the officer or recruit shall submit to the local law enforcement agency an amount equal to any benefits the officer or recruit received under this subsection.(B)

Regulations

The Attorney General shall promulgate regulations that establish categories of extenuating circumstances under which an officer or recruit may be excused from repayment under subparagraph (A).