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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand highlighted the nationwide police shortage, attributing it to a lack of childcare and respect for law enforcement. Speaking at Poughkeepsie City Hall on Monday (July 21), she advocated for the "Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act." This bipartisan bill proposes $24 million in federal funding annually for five years to support pilot childcare programs for law enforcement families.
Gillibrand emphasized that police officers often face long, irregular hours, making it difficult to find suitable childcare. She noted that more than 70 percent of law enforcement agencies report increased recruitment challenges compared to five years ago. The bill aims to address these issues by offering grants up to $3 million to police departments to establish childcare centers, partner with local daycares, or provide scholarships for officers' families.
Poughkeepsie Police Chief Rich Wilson, who supports the bill, recalled his own struggles with childcare as a young officer. He believes that offering childcare could be a significant incentive in recruiting new officers. Wilson's department currently has 11 vacancies among its 92 officers, a situation he attributes partly to the lack of childcare options.
Gillibrand also pointed out that the recruitment difficulties disproportionately affect women, who make up less than 14 percent of sworn officers. She argued that the proposed legislation would help increase public safety by reducing barriers to a career in law enforcement and ensuring the best talent is recruited.
The bill is co-sponsored by Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Democrat Scott Peters of California. If passed, grants could be available as early as next year. Gillibrand hopes to expand the initiative to other emergency personnel in the future.