Invest to Protect Act Proposes $50M Annual Grants for Small Police Departments' Training, Mental Health & Hiring

The Invest to Protect Act of 2025 aims to set up a new grant program under the Department of Justice's COPS office, specifically targeting smaller local and Tribal law enforcement agencies – those employing fewer than 175 officers. The bill proposes authorizing $50 million per year from fiscal year 2027 through 2031. The core idea is to funnel federal dollars directly to these smaller departments to boost training, provide better mental health resources for officers, and help with recruiting and keeping officers on the job.

Training Tune-Up: What the Grants Could Fund

So, what could a local police department actually do with this money? The bill lists several eligible activities focused on professional development and safety. This includes de-escalation training, defined as techniques to stabilize situations and reduce threats with less force, along with specialized training for handling domestic violence calls in a victim-centered way. Funds could also cover evidence-based safety training for high-risk scenarios like active shooters, handling dangerous drugs, conducting rescues, and responding to calls involving people with mental health needs or substance use disorders. Think about an officer in a small town encountering someone in crisis – this funding could provide the specific training needed for a safer outcome. The grants can even help offset overtime costs, making it easier for officers in leanly staffed departments to actually attend these trainings.

Keeping Good Cops on the Beat

Smaller departments often struggle to compete for talent and keep experienced officers. This bill tackles that head-on by allowing grant funds to be used for recruitment and retention incentives. Departments could offer signing bonuses (the amount decided locally) to attract new hires. For experienced officers, retention bonuses are an option – up to 20% of their salary for those with at least five years on the force, a clean disciplinary record, and who commit to staying for another three years. Additionally, officers looking to further their education could get stipends up to $10,000 for graduate studies in mental health, public health, or social work, potentially bringing valuable new skills back to the department. The bill also supports providing officers with access to patient-centered behavioral health services, including telehealth options, recognizing the mental toll the job can take.

Checks, Balances, and Getting the Cash

Recognizing that small agencies might not have dedicated grant writers, the bill requires the Attorney General to create a streamlined application process, aiming for something that takes no more than two hours to complete. To ensure the money is used effectively, grant recipients will have reporting requirements, though the bill notes these should consider the capacity of smaller agencies. There's also an accountability piece: the DOJ's Inspector General can audit the grants, and departments with unresolved issues (like unauthorized spending) could be barred from future grants for three years. Bonus amounts must be disclosed publicly on the local government's website and reported to the DOJ, adding a layer of transparency.