NAPO led the charge with Congressional appropriators and staff throughout the Fiscal 2026 appropriations process to protect the independence of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) in the Department of Justice (DOJ).  In a significant victory for state and local law enforcement, NAPO was able to secure language in the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) spending measure directing the DOJ to maintain the COPS Office as “a distinct organizational grantmaking entity within the Department”.  We sent a letter this morning to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leadership thanking them for safeguarding and continuing an independent COPS Office within the Department and for their longstanding support for our nation’s law enforcement community.

The CJS appropriations measure is part of a three bill “minibus” that is expected to be voted on in the House as soon as the end of this week.  We are working to see this important bill gets across the finish line and ensure the COPS Office and all of the vital programs and grants it administers are protected and sufficiently funded.

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