Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and his colleagues unanimously adopted a bipartisan resolution yesterday marking National Police Week and reiterating support for the men and women in law enforcement.
“During National Police Week, we honor our brave law enforcement officers as we celebrate their service and, for some, their ultimate sacrifice,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan resolution re-iterating our support for the men and women in blue and applaud the Judiciary Committee for passing these bills to assist officers across the county.”
The resolution honors the 576 law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2021, including nearly 400 who died from COVID-19, as well as the 92 lost to date in 2022. Last year marked the most intentional killings of police since the September 11, 2001, attacks. In the face of an ongoing pandemic and rise in violent crime, law enforcement personnel continue to answer the call, serving their communities, often at great risk to themselves.
The resolution designates the week of May 15 through May 21, 2022, as “National Police Week,” and expresses unwavering support for law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities.
In addition, the Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced a package of bills co-sponsored by Senator Tillis supporting America’s law enforcement officers and their families. They include:
- Invest to Protect Act (S.3860)
- Legislation that seeks to provide $250 million over the next five years to small law enforcement agencies across the country. This funding will help them invest in training, equipment, mental health support and recruitment and retention of officers. The bill advanced in committee by voice vote without objection.
- Strong Communities Act (S.2151)
- Building off the purpose of the Invest to Protect Act, this proposal would allow Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant funds to be utilized for recruiting and retaining local police officers, with a focus on encouraging officers to live in the communities they serve. The bill advanced in committee by voice vote without objection.
- Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act (S.4003)
- This legislation seeks to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for training on alternatives to use of force, including de-escalation and mental and behavioral health and suicidal crises training. The bill advanced in committee by voice vote without objection.
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