H.R. 3408 — Pathways to Policing Act

This section establishes the Law Enforcement Hiring Support Grant program, administered by the COPS Director (i.e., the Attorney General acting through the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services), authorizing competitive grants to states, units of local government, and law enforcement agencies for (1) marketing and recruitment campaigns (not more than 50% of funds) to encourage law enforcement careers and (2) Pathways to Policing programs (not more than 50% of funds) that provide financial support—including tuition, compensation, or benefits—to candidates facing education/training barriers and lacking prior law enforcement experience while they complete officer training, potentially including part-time uniformed service. Grant priorities include applicants recruiting from traditionally underrepresented communities or those with nontraditional backgrounds and candidates residing in or willing to relocate to served communities. The section authorizes $50 million annually for FY2026 through FY2030 to carry out the grant program and requires grantees to report annually on funded activities. Separately, the section directs the Attorney General to develop and implement, within one year of enactment, nationwide marketing and recruitment campaigns targeting underrepresented and nontraditional candidates—consulting state attorneys general, law enforcement entities, associations, community organizations, and researchers—and to create related educational materials for grantees, authorizing $50 million annually for FY2026 through FY2030.