Dear Mr. Chairman and Representative Raskin,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to urge the Committee on the Judiciary to consider and favorably report H.R. 1551, the “Protect and Serve Act.”
This legislation is a priority for the FOP and is a direct response to the increased number of attacks on law enforcement officers by imposing, in limited circumstances, Federal penalties on individuals who deliberately target local, State, or Federal law enforcement officers with violence. So far this year, there have been 17 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers in which 20 officers were shot and five of whom were killed.
Ambush-style attacks and violence targeting law enforcement officers in general have been steadily increasing in recent years. A May 2019 report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) concluded: “While the overall number of officers who were feloniously killed was declining, the percentage of officers feloniously killed during surprise attacks was increasing.” There were 115 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement in 2023, resulting in 138 officers shot and 20 of whom were killed. If any other profession were plagued by this level of violence, Congress would act immediately. It is unacceptable to ignore this level of violence against these selfless public servants.
The legislation you supported in the previous Congress creates a new Federal offense for anyone who “willingly” assaults a law enforcement officer and would sentence such an offender to a term of imprisonment of 10 years or for life in the case of murder or attempted murder. In order for Federal charges to be brought, the State must ask the Federal government to assume jurisdiction or the U.S. Attorney General must certify that a Federal prosecution is “in the public interest and necessary to secure substantial justice.” To make this certification, the U.S. Attorney General must consider the extent of planning and premeditation, the intended outcome, and a disregard for human life. These are very specific and narrow circumstances that were designed to respond to incidents like the assassination of two officers in New York City in 2014 and the mass murders of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge in 2016.
Law enforcement is a dangerous profession—officers are always in harm’s way and are prepared, if necessary, to lay down their lives in the line of duty. While there is no legislation that Congress could pass that will completely protect officers from harm in the course of performing their duty, we can help deter and punish individuals who target officers for violence by enacting H.R. 1551, the “Protect and Serve Act.” We believe the Judiciary Committee should act now—just as it did when it favorably reported the bill on a unanimous vote in 2018, just before the House passed it on an overwhelming 382-35 vote. Passing the “Protect and Serve Act” would be a strong show of support for the men and women in the line of fire and send a clear message to those who would seek to do them harm.
On behalf of the more than 377,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I urge the Committee to take violence against law enforcement officers seriously and to take every reasonable action to deter and punish those who deliberately target these brave men and women and to favorably report H.R. 1551, the “Protect and Serve Act.” If I can provide any additional information about this legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President