The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is an agency within the United States Department of Justice. COPS was established through a provision in the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. Since 1994, COPS has provided $11.3 billion in assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies to help in hiring additional police officers. In 1995, COPS funded $1,225.1 million in programs and assistance, with funding significantly cut in 2000 to $685.3 million.