Luján Joins Colleagues to Introduce Bill to Improve Reporting of Attacks on Law Enforcement

Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and a bipartisan group of Senators to introduce legislation to gather greater information on attacks targeting law enforcement. The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act builds on existing reporting requirements and fills gaps highlighted by law enforcement groups to increase our understanding of the circumstances precipitating and involving ambush-style attacks against law enforcement.  The bill is also cosponsored by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

“We all owe a debt to the brave members of law enforcement who protect our communities. That’s why I’m proud to support the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act, which will require that the U.S. Attorney General to collect nuanced data on attacks against police officers, explain why they occur, and give us tools to prevent them. By understanding this data, we can foster better relations between law enforcement and the communities they serve, as well as improve officers’ mental health and support their efforts to keep our streets safe,” Luján said.

“Ambushes targeting law enforcement have climbed to alarming levels in recent years, and while the government collects basic data on attacks against police, we need to know more about the factors contributing to this disturbing pattern.  Our bill will help expand our understanding of these attacks to better identify motives, trends and any coordinated efforts to target those who put on the badge to keep our communities safe,” Grassley said.

“Attacks on our law enforcement officers are abhorrent and we must get a clear picture on when they occur. I’m proud to co-introduce this bipartisan legislation so we can improve reporting and continue supporting the men and women in blue to prevent these disgusting acts,” Tillis said.

“Intentional attacks on law enforcement are horrifying – we must do more to prevent them. These attacks against the brave men and women on the force threaten not only their safety, but also their ability to do their jobs effectively and public safety overall. That is why I am teaming up with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to call for more information on these alarming attacks as we work together to help protect our officers from vicious and unprovoked assaults,” Hassan said.

“Our highest priority should be protecting the lives of law enforcement officers. They support us, we must support them. This bill helps protect police from attacks. It is what we must do,” Cassidy said.

Police officers feloniously killed in the line of duty spiked 58.7 percent in 2021 over the previous year, marking the deadliest year for law enforcement killings since 1995, with the exception of officers lost during the September 11, 2001, attacks. Nearly 44 percent of police officer killings in 2021 were caused by unprovoked attacks or ambushes on officers. While the government collects basic information on these attacks, such as when the attack occurred and what types of weapons were used, more information is needed to help law enforcement officers prepare for, identify and prevent future anti-police activity.

The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act increases the categories of information that can be voluntarily reported regarding anti-police attacks, including the intention and coordination of perpetrators. It also directs the Justice Department to explore adding escalatory aggression to its reports. Finally, the bill seeks to shed light on the mental health and stress-related impacts aggressive activity or trauma have on law enforcement, the mental health resources available to assist officers and the extent to which those resources are used.

The bill is endorsed by the National Association of Police Officers and the Fraternal Order of Police.

Text of the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act is available HERE.

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