National Association of Police Organizations: Press Releases and Bulletins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: JODY HEDEMAN COUSER
March 13, 1999
(202) 842-3560
Embargoed 10:06 a.m. EST

Washington, D.C. - "Today, President Clinton praised the majority of our nation's law enforcement officers for their success in lowering the nation's crime rate to its lowest levels in decades. And, the National Association of Police Organizations agrees that even one incident of police misconduct is one too many. However, the majority of our nation's nearly 700,000 law enforcement officers are honest, hardworking individuals who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect the public. If we want to end the few cases of police misconduct that do happen, we must both re-evaluate hiring practices and institute better training and education programs. That is why NAPO has asked the Administration and the Department of Justice for backing to produce training and education programs to inform both police academy cadets before they begin their law enforcement careers and those officers already on the street exactly what happens to police officers that practice misconduct - time in federal prison. For the police to maintain its strong stance against corruption, it is up to the municipalities to raise the officers' salaries and hiring standards so that the more qualified find the job appealing. In addition, funding must be made available for important training and education programs to prevent cases of police misconduct."

The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States that serves in Washington, DC to advance the interests of America’s law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. Founded in 1978, NAPO now represents 4,000 police organizations and more than 220,000 sworn law enforcement officers.