Washington, DC - Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, issued the following statement today:

“The National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) represents over 382,000 law enforcement officers across the United States as well as the major law enforcement agencies responding to the crime crisis in the District of Columbia, including the officers serving in Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, Metro Transit Police Department, U.S. Capitol Police, and the U.S. Park Police.

“Today, we are proud to announce our full support for President Trump’s Executive Order addressing the dangers of cashless bail systems.  Our officers understand the real-world consequences of policies that prioritize leniency over accountability, usually at the expense of community safety and the rule of law.

“This Executive Order is a critical step forward in restoring balance to D.C.’s criminal justice system by curbing the reckless implementation of cashless bail reforms that have allowed repeat offenders to evade any meaningful consequences for their criminality. We commend the Administration for recognizing the importance of deterrence in preventing crime and protecting our neighborhoods by ensuring that those who pose a genuine threat to public safety aren’t back on the street after completing a little paperwork.

“Law enforcement officers spend every single shift in harm’s way while protecting our communities.  The citizens of D.C. cannot afford policies that undermine their efforts by releasing dangerous individuals back into society without sufficient safeguards. The FOP urges all D.C. stakeholders—legislators, judges, and community leaders—to join us in championing this Executive Order as a vital measure to help protect our nation’s capital.