Community Outpost Outreach and Engagement Act
Bill: H.R.2401 | Sponsor: Rep. Emmer, Tom (R-MN)
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
Community Outpost Outreach and Engagement Act
This bill authorizes the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to make grants for establishing and operating community outpost houses to provide long-term stabilization in the relationship of law enforcement and the community.

To direct the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing 
 Services to carry out a pilot program to establish community outpost 
                    houses, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Community Outpost Outreach and 
Engagement Act''.

SEC. 2. COP HOUSE PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Authorization.--The Attorney General, acting through the 
Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to carry 
out a pilot program to make grants to eligible applicant to establish 
and operate community outpost houses (referred to in this section as 
``COP houses'').
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the pilot program is to provide long-
term stabilization in the relationship of law enforcement and the 
community by--
            (1) building relationships, awareness, and trust with 
        members of the community;
            (2) uniting members of the community and law enforcement;
            (3) improving the quality of life in the neighborhood; and
            (4) reducing crime.
    (c) Uses of Funds.--A COP house funded under this section may 
provide services, including--
            (1) connecting with residents and involvement in community 
        outreach programs;
            (2) providing government benefit program consultations;
            (3) nursing services and coordination with medical services 
        in the community;
            (4) emergency medical services;
            (5) space for use by community groups; and
            (6) holding events with community partners, including 
        public health services, educational classes or seminars, 
        tutoring services for youth.
    (d) Officer Qualifications.--A recipient of a grant under this 
section shall certify to the Director that any officer stationed at the 
COP house--
            (1) has demonstrated their communication and problem-
        solving skills;
            (2) does not have a history of verified instances of 
        excessive force; and
            (3) has completed necessary training to understand the 
        cultural sensitivities of the obligations of a position at the 
        COP house.
    (e) Report.--The Director shall submit to Congress on an annual 
basis information related to the operation of the pilot program under 
this section, including the impact that COP houses have had on the 
relationships between law enforcement officers and the community and 
any changes in the rates of crime in the communities in which COP 
houses have been established pursuant to this section.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``eligible applicant'' means a non-profit 
        organization, or a law enforcement organization applying 
        jointly with at least one non-profit organization.
            (2) The term ``community outpost house'' means a location 
        in the jurisdiction served by a law enforcement agency that is 
        operated by the law enforcement agency in a collaborative 
        manner with nonprofit organizations and other service 
        providers.
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