Community Oriented Policing Services, Office of

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is a grant-making component of the U.S. Department of Justice that is responsible for advancing public safety through the promotion of the community policing philosophy. To achieve its mission, the office has developed a variety of grant programs for local law enforcement agencies that provide funding to hire community policing officers, procure law enforcement technology, hire civilians, support innovative responses to specific public safety problems, and provide research, training, and technical assistance resources. This entry describes the origins and history of the office, summarizes its most significant programs and activities, and describes the most comprehensive efforts to evaluate its effectiveness.