Clinton
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) was established through the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. The organization falls under the United States Department of Justice and works to enhance the performance of police departments through funding for research, training, and technical assistance. According to the organization’s mission statement, the group works to bridge the gap between a community and its police force to address issues the community may face.
The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 was presented as a method by which law enforcement agencies would be able to control and prevent crime. It set forth immense funding for prisons and crime prevention programs and was also notable for several significant changes to US policy. The Federal Assault Weapons Ban prohibited the manufacturing of 19 different kinds of assault weapons. Also included in the legislation was the Federal Death Penalty Act, which expanded the crimes for which the death penalty could be applied. The Violence Against Women Act set aside funding for investigating and preventing gendered violence in the US.
Perhaps the most famous impact of COPS, however, was the proposal to introduce 100,000 more police officers into the force. Former President Bill Clinton listed this as a primary reason to support the founding of the organization. By 2005, the United States Government Accountability Office stated that COPS had led to an increase of 88,000 new police officers, and suggested that these officers led to a ‘modest’ decline in crime in subsequent years. The primary effect on the US police force as a result of COPS was size. An increase of anywhere from 88,000 to 100,000 police officer dramatically shifted the dynamics of policing in America.
The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 was presented as a method by which law enforcement agencies would be able to control and prevent crime. It set forth immense funding for prisons and crime prevention programs and was also notable for several significant changes to US policy. The Federal Assault Weapons Ban prohibited the manufacturing of 19 different kinds of assault weapons. Also included in the legislation was the Federal Death Penalty Act, which expanded the crimes for which the death penalty could be applied. The Violence Against Women Act set aside funding for investigating and preventing gendered violence in the US.
Perhaps the most famous impact of COPS, however, was the proposal to introduce 100,000 more police officers into the force. Former President Bill Clinton listed this as a primary reason to support the founding of the organization. By 2005, the United States Government Accountability Office stated that COPS had led to an increase of 88,000 new police officers, and suggested that these officers led to a ‘modest’ decline in crime in subsequent years. The primary effect on the US police force as a result of COPS was size. An increase of anywhere from 88,000 to 100,000 police officer dramatically shifted the dynamics of policing in America.