WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that he helped secure important victories for Ohio to increase public safety and better protect Ohio law enforcement in a Senate appropriations package that passed today. The House and Senate versions of these appropriations packages will need to be reconciled before a final spending bill goes to the President for his signature.

“One of the most important roles of government is keeping individuals and families safe,” said Brown. “These key investments will improve public safety for Ohioans while also allowing law enforcement officers, who put their lives on the line daily, to better and more safely serve their communities.”  

Brown led bipartisan efforts to secure $27.5 million for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program, a program through the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) that provides funding for local and state law enforcement to acquire bulletproof vests for officers. In April, Brown led a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee asking for funding for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program.

Brown was also able to secure other wins in the Senate appropriations package passed today, including:

  • $335 million for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program. The COPS program invests in local law enforcement by helping police departments bolster their community policing efforts and hire new officers. The COPS program was designed to advance public safety by addressing the full-time officer needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
  • $545 million for Byrne Jag, which provides grant funding for local law enforcement agencies to fund various programs including, drug treatment and enforcement programs, crime prevention and education programs, and crime victim and witness programs. The funding is administered through DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.
  • $22.5 million for the Body-Worn Camera Partnership Program. Body cameras have been found to reduce the use of force by officers by as much as 60 percent, reduce citizen complaints by as much as 88 percent, assist in resolving complaints against the police, and reduce the likelihood of false complaints against the police.

Brown has led efforts to increase public safety and has been a vocal proponent of providing federal resources necessary to protect officers as they work to keep Ohio communities safe. Brown will keep fighting for these priorities as the spending package continues through the legislative process.

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