WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) joined Representatives Scott Peters (CA-50), Darrell Issa (CA-48), and Josh Harder (CA-9) to introduce the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act. The legislation aims to address the nationwide police staffing shortages by making it easier for parents to enter the field. The nationwide police shortage has been especially harmful to rural communities in California’s Central Valley, who have struggled to recruit and retain qualified officers.

“Police departments across the Valley have struggled to recruit and retain new officers, resulting in immense pressure on our existing police force and putting the safety of our communities at risk,” said Congressman Valadao. “The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act will make child care more accessible and affordable for our officers who typically work nonstandard schedules, removing a barrier to entry and retention for working parents.  I’m proud to support this bipartisan initiative to equip our officers with the tools they need to keep our communities safe.”

“Access to quality, reliable child care is essential to recruitment and retention of the best, most representative, and diverse police force we can have, particularly as we seek to attract more women to the ranks,” said Congressman Peters. “Research shows us that female officers develop deeper trust with communities, use less force, and are less frequently identified in complaints and lawsuits, but child care concerns remain one of the biggest hurdles, according to the 30x30 initiative. San Diego is leading the way to expand child care opportunities for police officers and I am proud to support those efforts at the federal level.”

“We have a responsibility to provide our police officers with the tools, training, and equipment they need to safeguard our streets and protect our communities,” said Congressman Issa. “This bill represents a creative and innovative approach to not only advance law and order everywhere it is needed, but allowing these brave men and women on the front lines to be both parents and police,”

“This is a no brainer – keeping our families safe starts by recruiting and retaining top-tier police officers,” said Congressman Harder. “Making sure our officers have access to quality, affordable child care means we increase the pool of talented, diverse recruits and keeps officers on the streets helping our communities.”

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act would:

·         Authorize $24 million in funding for each of the next five fiscal years under the Child Care Development Grant Program and allow HHS to provide grants of up to $3 million for opening child care centers.

·         Allow law enforcement agencies, local governments, and child care providers to determine each of their responsibilities while requiring local entities to contribute a scaled matching requirement over a three-year grant period.

·         Set aside 20% of the total grant funding for police departments employing fewer than 200 officers.

·         Require HHS to report to Congress the grant recipients, corresponding law enforcement agencies, and employee retention and recruitment data.