1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strong Communities Act of 2023 . 2. Strong Communities Program Section 1701 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 ( 34 U.S.C. 10381 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (o) COPS Strong Communities Program (1) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (i) an institution of higher education, as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ), that, in coordination or through an agreement with a local law enforcement agency, offers a law enforcement training program; or (ii) a local law enforcement agency that offers a law enforcement training program. (B) Local law enforcement agency The term local law enforcement agency means an agency of a State, unit of local government, or Indian Tribe that is authorized by law or by a government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of criminal law. (2) Grants The Attorney General may use amounts otherwise appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2023) to make competitive grants to local law enforcement agencies to be used for officers and recruits to attend law enforcement training programs at eligible entities if the officers and recruits agree to serve in law enforcement agencies in their communities. (3) Eligibility To be eligible for a grant through a local law enforcement agency under this subsection, each officer or recruit described in paragraph (2) shall— (A) serve as a full-time law enforcement officer for a total of not fewer than 4 years during the 8-year period beginning on the date on which the officer or recruit completes a law enforcement training program for which the officer or recruit receives benefits