Reps. Sykes, Ross, Foushee Introduce Supporting Women COPS Act during National Police Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During National Police Week, U.S. Representatives Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Deborah Ross (NC-02), and Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the Supporting Women with Career Opportunities in Policing Services (COPS) Act, legislation to establish a federal task force focused on improving recruitment, retention, and advancement opportunities for women in law enforcement.
The legislation would create a Task Force on Women in Law Enforcement to develop recommendations for equitable national hiring standards, address barriers to retention, including childcare and postpartum physical fitness standards, and expand leadership opportunities for women officers nationwide.
“Women belong at every level of law enforcement leadership, and we need recruitment and retention standards that reflect the realities officers face on and off the job,” said Rep. Sykes. “The Supporting Women COPS Act takes an important step toward building a stronger, more inclusive public safety workforce by helping departments recruit talented women, support them throughout their careers, and create pathways to leadership. When law enforcement agencies better reflect the communities they serve, our communities are stronger and safer.”
“When more women serve in law enforcement, we see better outcomes for our communities,” said Rep. Ross. “We need more law enforcement officers across North Carolina, and we especially need to recruit and retain more female officers. While North Carolina is leading the way with a high number of women police chiefs, police departments cannot do it on their own. Congress must ensure law enforcement agencies have the resources to succeed, and that includes ensuring women can have successful and effective careers in law enforcement.”
“Women are underrepresented in law enforcement, and the Supporting Women COPS Act will help address barriers that too often prevent women from entering and advancing in policing,” said Rep. Foushee. “By examining outdated hiring practices and supporting fair, modern standards, this bill will help law enforcement agencies better reflect the communities they serve. As a former administrator for the Chapel Hill Police Department, I am proud to join Congresswomen Ross and Sykes in this effort to expand opportunities for women in law enforcement and make lasting systemic change.”
Rep. Sykes has consistently worked across party lines to strengthen public safety, support law enforcement officers, and improve community trust. Last month, Rep. Sykes introduced the Critical Operation Oversight of Law Enforcement Intervention and Training (COOL IT) Act to strengthen immigration officer training, improve officer safety, and promote accountability. She also reintroduced the bipartisan Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-escalation Act, legislation to expand access to immersive de-escalation and crisis intervention training for officers, and partnered on the Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act to help communities hire officers, improve equipment, and strengthen public safety resources.
In addition, Rep. Sykes introduced the Crime Survivor Support and Stability Act to strengthen support services and financial assistance for survivors of violent crime. Rep. Sykes is also a cosponsor of the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025, which would expand eligibility for death, disability, and education benefits under the Public Safety Officer’s Benefit (PSOB) program for officers and their families when an officer dies or becomes permanently disabled due to cancer covered under the bill.
Rep. Sykes secured more than $12 million in Community Project Funding for Fiscal Year 2026 projects across Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, including investments in public safety infrastructure and victim services. This includes more than $1 million for technology and security upgrades at the City of Barberton Justice Center to support police operations and public safety. Rep. Sykes also submitted a FY27 Community Project Funding request for $5.5 million for the Stark County Family Justice Center, which would provide coordinated services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and abuse.