Dear Senators Tillis, Coons, Crapo, and Cortez Masto,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our strong support for S. 5214, the “Protect and Serve Act,” with new, stronger language to better protect our nation’s law enforcement officers.
As you know, this legislation is a top priority for the FOP because of the unacceptable number of targeted attacks on law enforcement officers. Despite a dramatic decrease in the nation’s homicide rate, firearms attacks on law enforcement officers have remained alarmingly high over the past several years, underscoring a dangerous and persistent trend of deliberate attacks against those who serve in law enforcement. Too many of these attacks are not spontaneous confrontations, but calculated assaults intended to inflict maximum harm on officers. So far this year, there have been 27 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers, which have resulted in 36 officers being shot, six of whom died.
The “Protect and Serve Act” would, in certain limited circumstances, establish Federal penalties on individuals who willfully and with the intent to kill target a local, State or Federal law enforcement officer, solely because that person is a law enforcement officer. Our nation’s officers make endless sacrifices every day to protect us, and we have a duty to ensure legislation is in place to protect them.
The FOP is proud and profoundly grateful to all of you and your staff for your work on this bill and, on behalf of the more than 382,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you all for your leadership and support. We look forward to working with you to get this legislation through the United States Senate.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President