Bill

HR 3846

Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act

119th Congress Introduced by Brian Fitzpatrick and 4 co-sponsors

HR 3846 allows law enforcement agencies to hire retired officers for civilian tasks, enhancing public safety while ensuring accountability and oversight in funding.

Introduced in House

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · HR 3846

Summary of HR 3846: Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act

Purpose and Intent

The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act (HR 3846) aims to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 by establishing a grant program designed to assist law enforcement agencies in employing retired law enforcement officers for civilian law enforcement tasks. This initiative seeks to leverage the experience of retired officers to enhance public safety and support ongoing investigations without granting them arrest powers.

Key Provisions

Grant Program Establishment

New Grant Program: The bill introduces a new section (Part PP) to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, specifically for Civil Law Enforcement Task Grants.

Definitions

Civilian Law Enforcement Tasks: The bill defines these tasks to include:
- Assisting in homicide, carjacking, and financial crime investigations.
- Reviewing camera footage and conducting crime scene and forensics analysis.
- Providing expertise in information technology and computer networks.
Eligible Entities: State, local, Tribal, or territorial law enforcement agencies that can certify the qualifications of retired officers hired under this program.

Grant Utilization

Hiring Retired Officers: Grants can be used to hire retired law enforcement personnel to:
- Train civilian employees on permissible tasks.
- Perform civilian law enforcement tasks directly.

Accountability Measures

Disciplinary Records Check: Agencies must conduct background checks on retired officers to identify any disciplinary issues before hiring.
Audit Requirements: The Inspector General of the Department of Justice will conduct annual audits of grant recipients to ensure funds are used appropriately and to prevent fraud.
Exclusion for Non-Compliance: Entities with unresolved audit findings will be ineligible for future grants for two fiscal years.

Reporting and Oversight

The Attorney General is required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing audit completions and any exclusions from grant eligibility.

Impact

Who is Affected: The bill primarily impacts law enforcement agencies looking to enhance their workforce with experienced personnel while also benefiting retired law enforcement officers seeking continued engagement in public service.
Public Safety: By allowing retired officers to assist in civilian tasks, the bill aims to improve the efficiency of law enforcement operations and enhance community safety.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: June 9, 2025
Referred to Committee: The bill has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.