Dear Representative Bacon,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our strong support for H.R. 3080, the “Back the Blue Act.” The FOP has been urging Congress to do more to support and protect our men and women in law enforcement and your bill contains a number of provisions which do just that.
Our fellow Americans who choose to be law enforcement officers, who choose to serve their communities and put their lives on the line for their fellow citizens, put themselves in harm’s way every day. In recent years, however, they find themselves hunted and targeted just because of the uniform that they wear. In 2020, 314 officers were shot in the line of duty, 47 of whom were killed. There were 43 ambush attacks on law enforcement officers, which resulted in 52 officers being shot, 12 of whom were killed. So far in 2021, 105 officers have been shot in the line of duty, 23 of whom were killed. There have been 20 ambush attacks on law enforcement officers, which resulted in 25 officers being shot, eight of whom were killed.
The bill you have introduced would improve protections for law enforcement officers by increasing the penalties for those who kill or assault law enforcement officers, judges, and other public safety officers. The FOP is particularly supportive of the bill’s provision making the murder or attempted murder of a law enforcement officer employed by an agency that receives Federal funds a capital offense. This closes a loophole in current law in which the murder of a State or local law enforcement officer is a capital offense only if that officer was actively serving on a Federal task force, was directly involved in a Federal investigation, or came to the aid of a Federal law enforcement officer.
The legislation would also impose time and other substantive limits on Federal courts’ review of habeas corpus petitions challenging a State court conviction for killing a law enforcement officer, judge, or other public safety officer.
The bill also amends the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act (LEOSA) by harmonizing State and Federal laws with respect to the Gun-Free Schools Zones Act by treating State-issued concealed carry permit holders and qualified active and retired officers in the same way. It also extends the LEOSA exemption to magazines so that officers are not exposed to legal jeopardy in States that have limitations on the number of rounds or capacity of magazines. The bill would also allow any active or retired law enforcement officer carrying under the LEOSA to lawfully access U.S. Post Offices, Social Security Administration Offices, Veterans Affairs Offices, or similar Federal facilities.
Finally, the bill would provide $20 million in new grants to improve police-community relations, law enforcement training, as well as officer safety and wellness.
This legislation offers strong support for our nation’s police officers by providing them with increased protections across the board. On behalf of the more than 356,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I am proud to be able to work with you to get this legislation passed. Thank you for your tireless support for law enforcement officers throughout our country. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President