Pathways to Policing Act

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this part, the COPS Director is authorized to make grants, on a competitive basis, to States, units of local government, and law enforcement agencies for the purposes described in subsection (c).

To be eligible to receive a grant under this part, a State, unit of local government, or law enforcement agency shall submit an application to the COPS Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the COPS Director may require.

A recipient of a grant under this part may use the grant funds for the following:

Not more than 50 percent of the grant funds awarded to a recipient under this part may be used to develop, implement, or expand marketing and recruitment campaigns for the purpose of encouraging candidates to seek careers in law enforcement.

Not more than 50 percent of the grant funds awarded to a recipient under this part may be used to develop, operate, or expand Pathways to Policing programs.

For each fiscal year in which a grant is awarded under this part, each recipient of such grant shall submit to the COPS Director a report containing a summary of each activity carried out using such grant and such other information as the COPS Director may require.

In awarding a grant under this part, priority shall be given to applicants that seek to recruit candidates who are members of communities traditionally underrepresented in the field of law enforcement or who have nontraditional educational or career backgrounds.

In awarding a grant under this part, priority shall be given to applicants that seek to recruit candidates who reside in or who are willing to relocate to the communities that the candidates will serve, or that are in close proximity to the communities that the candidates will serve.

In this part:

The term COPS Director means the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

The term Pathways to Policing programs refers to any program that—

(A) facilitates the entry into full-time law enforcement positions for candidates that—

(i) face barriers in obtaining the education and training necessary to pursue a law enforcement career; and

(ii) have no prior law enforcement experience;

(B) provides candidates with financial support, including tuition, compensation, or benefits, while attending a law enforcement officer education and training program, and

(C) may include service in part-time, uniformed positions that further a candidate’s training to be a full-time law enforcement officer.

There is authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 to carry out sections 3061, 3062, and 3063 for each of fiscal years 2026 to 2030.

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Attorney General shall develop and implement nationwide marketing and recruitment campaigns for the purpose of encouraging candidates, including candidates who are members of communities traditionally underrepresented in the field of law enforcement or who have nontraditional educational or career backgrounds, to seek careers in law enforcement.

In developing and implementing the marketing and recruitment campaigns under subsection (a), the Attorney General shall consult with State attorneys general, State and local law enforcement entities, professional law enforcement associations, community-based organizations, and academic researchers.

In developing and implementing the marketing and recruitment campaigns under subsection (a), the Attorney General shall create educational materials and related resources for States, units of local government, and law enforcement agencies to operate a marketing and recruitment campaign under section 3061.

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 to 2030.