On September 17, 2024, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco delivered remarks on the 30th anniversary of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) in the Great Hall. In her speech, Monaco highlighted the significant contributions and achievements of the COPS Office since its inception in 1994.
Monaco began by expressing gratitude to Director Clements for his introduction and leadership. She welcomed various law enforcement and community partners who attended the event, including leaders from national law enforcement associations and former directors of the COPS Office.
Reflecting on the history of the COPS Office, Monaco noted that it has been a transformative force for public safety over three decades. "History will show that the investments made by the COPS Office since 1994 have been a game changer for the communities we serve," she said.
Monaco also referenced recent anniversaries of other key legislation, such as the Violence Against Women Act, which was passed alongside the original COPS grants in 1994. She shared personal anecdotes from her early career on the Senate Judiciary Committee and her tenure as Counsel to former Attorney General Janet Reno, a staunch supporter of community policing.
Highlighting specific accomplishments, Monaco mentioned that the COPS Office initially placed 100,000 new police officers on streets across America and has since invested $20 billion in more than 13,000 law enforcement agencies. These investments have enhanced officer training, school safety, drug prevention efforts, and responses to mass violence incidents.
Recent data indicates promising trends in crime reduction. According to Monaco, available data from 2023 shows declines in murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault compared to 2022. Additionally, violent crime has decreased in nearly 90 major cities during the first half of this year.
Monaco emphasized that the mission of the COPS Office remains vital: "For police to protect our communities — they need to know and have the trust of the communities they serve."
She announced further investments aimed at supporting officer wellbeing. This includes $9.1 million for mental health services under the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program and over $17 million for de-escalation and crisis response training through an initiative called Safer Outcomes.
Concluding her remarks with optimism about future progress in public safety, Monaco stated: "We still have much to do to ensure every person feels safe in their community. But I am inspired by how far we’ve come and hopeful about where we’re going."