Dear Senators Kelly and Hawley,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for S. 4450, the “Educational and Career Opportunities for Public Safety Act.”
Law enforcement agencies across the country are struggling to recruit new law enforcement officers and retain their current veterans. It is critical that law enforcement agencies are fully staffed with well-trained, educated, and dedicated officers to protect our communities.
Your legislation is intended to help attract people to careers in law enforcement by offering officers financial assistance for higher education for those who have served for a period of eight years with the same agency and who are willing to commit to serving at least an additional four. This legislation is modeled after the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, which extends benefits to the dependents of an officer in the event of that officer’s death, as well as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which extended education opportunities to first responders in the wake of 9/11. This benefit would also be transferable to dependents, allowing officers the ability to help their families afford higher education.
We believe, as you do, that this legislation would help make the prospect of a career in law enforcement more attractive and give both our new and veteran law enforcement officers the opportunity to seek higher education for themselves or their families.
On behalf of the more than 373,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you both for your leadership on this issue. If I can be of any help or provide additional information in support of 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