The FY26 COPS Hiring Program provides funding to law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire officers to boost community policing and crime prevention efforts. The goal is to enhance community partnerships, analyze and address problems, and improve agency management for better community policing.
Who it's for: This grant is for state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies looking to increase their community policing capacity by hiring or rehiring officers.
More details
Likely Disqualifiers
- Not a law enforcement agency
- Failure to demonstrate community policing plans
- Incomplete application
- Lack of cost-sharing/matching funds
- Non-compliance with federal regulations
What You May Need
- Detailed community policing plan
- Budget proposal
- Proof of cost-sharing/matching funds
- Agency management plan
- Partnership engagement strategy
- Problem analysis and assessment plan
- Personnel hiring plan
- Federal registrations (e.g., SAM.gov)
- Completed application forms
Cautions
- Cost-sharing/matching funds are required
- Ensure compliance with federal regulations
- Strict deadlines for application submission
- Detailed plans and strategies needed
- Competitive funding process
Generated from official source details for readability
Eligibility
Eligible Applicant Types
Additional Criteria
Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, state governments, and private institutions of higher education. The program is open to a wide range of law enforcement agencies, including those without specific restrictions.
Overview
This grant is for state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies looking to increase their community policing capacity by hiring or rehiring officers.
Likely Disqualifiers
- Not a law enforcement agency
- Failure to demonstrate community policing plans
- Incomplete application
- Lack of cost-sharing/matching funds
- Non-compliance with federal regulations
Use of Funds
Funds can be used to hire or rehire career sworn law enforcement officers to enhance community policing and crime prevention efforts.
Total Program Funding
$157,594,000
Expected Awards
250
Cost Sharing
Required
Important Dates
- Posted
- Jun 9, 2026
- Deadline
- Jul 23, 2026(40 days)
Application Checklist
- Register on SAM.gov
- Prepare a detailed community policing plan
- Draft a budget proposal
- Secure cost-sharing/matching funds
- Develop a personnel hiring plan
- Outline a problem analysis and assessment strategy
- Complete all required application forms
- Submit the application by the deadline