[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COPS IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2007

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the COPS 
Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1700). This critical piece of legislation is 
needed to revitalize the highly successful COPS program and will allow 
communities in Rhode Island and across the country to hire additional 
police officers and improve security.
  This important initiative was created in 1994 under the Clinton 
Administration to help local law enforcement agencies hire thousands of 
additional police officers nationwide. COPS funding has helped police 
agencies in Rhode Island to hire 385 police officers, and today's 
measure will allow us to hire an additional 185 officers.
  The COPS program takes an innovative approach to aiding local law 
enforcement agencies through its commitment to community-oriented 
policing and has proven successful in reducing crime. Unfortunately, in 
the past few years the Bush Administration and Republican-led Congress 
have continued to slash funding for this vital program, and the 
President's FY 2008 budget proposal would eliminate it altogether. I am 
proud to support a measure that halts this trend and reinstates funding 
for this vital program.
  The COPS Reauthorization Act will establish the Office of Community 
Oriented Policing Services as a distinct entity within the U.S. 
Department of Justice and reauthorize hiring programs for officers to 
engage in community policing, serve as School Resource Officers, and 
engage in counterterrorism duties. This bill will also provide 
additional funding for police agencies to purchase lap top computers 
for patrol cars, crime mapping software, and interoperable 
communications equipment. Finally, reauthorizing the COPS program will 
increase funding for critical community prosecuting programs,
  Enhancing and fully funding COPS programs will give our local law 
enforcement agencies the tools they need to fight crime and keep our 
communities safe. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important piece of legislation.

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