Congressmen introduce bipartisan bill to create DOJ program supporting law enforcement
Ryan King
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EXCLUSIVE — A bipartisan duo in the House introduced legislation Tuesday to create a “formal program” in the Justice Department to support law enforcement in a nod to National Police Week.
Reps. Troy Nehls (R-TX) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) presented the bill to honor law enforcement with the establishment of the National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach program, seeking to aid officers in a variety of ways.
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“Attacks on our law enforcement officers are at an all-time high,” Nehls said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “As someone who served in law enforcement for nearly 30 years, I know firsthand the sacrifices police officers make to uphold law and order in our society. Now, more than ever, we must pay tribute.”
The bill is titled the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act.
It is also aimed at shoring up existing “wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund,” which Congress set up to recognize law enforcement and education communities about its work. The fund was used to establish the National Law Enforcement Museum, which opened in 2018.
“This bipartisan bill will not only ensure that these programs continue, but that they are expanded with a truly national reach and impact. This bill will also ensure that limited federal resources are invested in proven programs that will save police lives, make communities safer, and strengthen law enforcement,” Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, said.
To fund the DOJ program, the bill would draw $6 million from the Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, a $50 million annual program that gives financial incentives for gang members not to commit violence against others. The DOJ program is not expected to add to the deficit.
Objectives of the new program include memorializing officers who fell in the line of duty, commemorating the “extraordinary service” of officers, raising public awareness of law enforcement work, giving law enforcement agencies information about “best practices to reduce the number of line-of-duty” accidents, and facilitating forums to boost officer wellness.
“Our law enforcement officers are willing to put their lives on the line to protect our community and uphold public safety,” Panetta said. “It’s appropriate to introduce this legislation during National Police Week; however, every day, we must continue to recognize the service of our law enforcement officers and always remember the officers who fell serving and striving to make our streets safer.”
A myriad of pro-law enforcement groups have backed the legislation, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the International Union of Police Associations.
Lawmakers in both chambers of Congress are considering numerous pieces of legislation this week to celebrate police officers.
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At least two dozen members of the House from both parties have co-sponsored Nehls’s and Panetta’s bill, including Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Jim Banks (R-IN), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Wesley Hunt (R-TX).
“We can and must continue to commemorate the service of our police officers and improve law enforcement safety and well-being. Anything less than our complete appreciation for those first to arrive and the last to leave any emergency in our communities is not enough,” Fitzpatrick said.