Legislative Positions Update, BVP & Byrne-JAG Funding, Capitol Hill Meeting, & Funding for Law Enforcement 'Active Shooter' Training:
April 21, 2014
NAPO’s Legislative Positions Update
Attached please find NAPO’s updated “Legislative Positions” document for your review. The table denotes all status updates in yellow. Also attached is the updated sponsor/cosponsor list for the major pieces of legislation NAPO is currently tracking in the House and the Senate.
NAPO will continue to provide status updates on our top legislative priorities. If you have any questions about any of the legislation NAPO is currently working on, please contact Melissa Nee at: mnee@napo.org.
NAPO Meeting on Capitol Hill – Congresswoman Tsongas
On April 16, 2014, NAPO met with a senior staffer for Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA) to request support for the following pieces of legislation:
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Act: NAPO explained that the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA) created the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) to help states and counties design and implement collaborative efforts between criminal justice and mental health systems. The JMHCA reauthorizes the successful MIOTCRA and extends the JMHCP for five years. The JMHCP can help law enforcement agencies across the United States in their responsibilities in assisting those, and dealing with citizens with mental health issues.
Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Program Reauthorization Act: NAPO explained the importance of the BVP Grant Program, which provides federal funds to state and local law enforcement departments to assist state and local law enforcement efforts to purchase bullet resistant vests. NAPO continues to expend all available efforts to garner additional cosponsors for the House and Senate versions of this bill.
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Improvement and Reauthorization Act: NAPO stressed the importance of passing this legislation, which would reauthorize the COPS Program for five years and raise the current hiring cap from $75,000 to $125,000. Additionally, the President’s FY 2015 Budget includes $247 million for the COPS Hiring Program. NAPO has been advocating for the COPS Hiring Program to be funded at a minimum of the amount requested by President Obama.
The staffer was very receptive to the above proposals. We also took the opportunity to express appreciation for the Congresswoman’s support of the Social Security Fairness Act, Excellence in Mental Health Act, and Officer Sean Collier Campus Police Recognition Act. We look forward to working with Congresswoman Tsongas and her staff in the future.
Senator Hagan Recognizes NAPO as a Supporter of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act
Over the past several weeks, NAPO has worked closely with Senator Kay Hagan’s (D-NC) staff to garner support for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Program “Dear Colleague” letter, which requests a standalone funding level of $30 million for the BVP Grant Program. In her April 14th press release, Senator Hagan highlighted NAPO’s support of the BVP Grant Program. The press release is available at the following site: http://www.hagan.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2664.
Senators joining Senator Hagan and Senator Leahy on the “Dear Colleague” letter include: Chris Coons (DE), Robert Menendez (NJ), Ben Cardin (MD), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Dianne Feinstein (CA), Cory Booker (NJ), Al Franken (MN), Jeff Merkley (OR), Ed Markey (MA), Carl Levin (MI), Jack Reed (RI), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Barbara Boxer (CA), Mark Warner (VA), Bob Casey (PA) and Mary Landrieu (LA). The letter can be viewed via the following site:
Since its inception in 1999, the BVP Program has made over one million life-saving vests available to law enforcement officers nationwide by providing matching federal grants to state and local authorities. According to the Government Accountability Office, the lives of over 3,000 law enforcement officers have been saved by armored vests since 1987.
Senator Hagan has been a strong advocate for the program since coming to the Senate. Legislation she cosponsored would reauthorize the grant program for five more years and permit police departments to purchase uniquely sized vests, which is particularly important for female officers. Hagan introduced a similar amendment to the Immigration bill last year, but it was blocked in the Senate.
Senator Hagan is also committed to ensuring sufficient funding for the COPS Program and the Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant Program.
NAPO looks forward to working with Senator Hagan and her staff in the future to ensure full funding for vital law enforcement grant programs.
Source:
"Kay Hagan | U.S. Senator for North Carolina." Hagan Fights for the Lifesaving Bulletproof Vest Program to Protect Local Law Enforcement Officers. N.p., 14 Apr. 2014. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
Strong Support for the Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant Program
Thanks to your support, 51 members of Congress signed the Senate FY15 letter in support of the Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-JAG) Program. This is an increase from 48 signatures on last year’s Byrne-JAG
“Dear Colleague” letter.
Since their inception, the COPS Hiring and Byrne JAG programs have enabled law enforcement agencies to form vital partnerships among communities and law enforcement officers, combat criminal activities, and develop and implement problem-solving and crime prevention programs nationwide. These two programs work hand-in-hand to provide evidence-based and innovative programs vital for public safety.
We are thrilled that our efforts to garner support for this important program were successful again this year, and look forward to continuing to work with fellow stakeholders to ensure full funding for vital law enforcement programs. The letter is attached for your review.
Following Mass Shooting Incidents, Attorney General Holder Urges Congress to Approve $15 Million to Train Law Enforcement Officers for 'Active Shooter' Situations
Following the recent tragedies at a Jewish Community Center outside of Kansas City and at Ft. Hood, Attorney General Eric Holder urged Congress to approve $15 million in funding for active shooter training for law enforcement officers to ensure they have the tools they need to effectively respond to threats, protect themselves, and save innocent lives.
“In the face of this urgent and growing threat – when the lives of innocent people are at stake – those who stand on the front lines need our full and unwavering support," Holder said in a video message posted on the Justice Department's website. "This critical funding would help the Justice Department ensure that America’s police officers have the tools and guidance they need to effectively respond to active shooter incidents whenever and wherever they arise."
“Over the last decade, the Justice Department and the FBI have helped provide cutting-edge active shooter training to 50,000 front-line officers.” In the video message, Holder said continuing this training is critical since the patrol officers who arrive first on the scene are increasingly being relied on to respond directly to active shooters rather than wait for SWAT teams.
NAPO will keep our members updated on the status of this initiative.
Source:
"USDOJ: Following Mass Shooting Incidents, Attorney General Holder Urges Congress to Approve $15 Million to Train Law Enforcement Officers for 'Active Shooter' Situations." USDOJ: Following Mass Shooting Incidents, Attorney General Holder Urges Congress to Approve $15 Million to Train Law Enforcement Officers for 'Active Shooter' Situations. N.p., 15 Apr. 2014. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
Please monitor NAPO’s website www.napo.org, and Facebook page: National Association of Police Organizations, and follow us on Twitter @NAPOpolice for breaking news and updates.
2014 Legislative Update and Capitol Hill Lobbying
May 13, 2014
Washington Marriott Marquis Hotel
Please join NAPO on May 13 for our Legislative Day on Capitol Hill. Use this opportunity to lobby Congressional Representatives and Senators on behalf of your members concerning the issues which affect law enforcement. Prior to lobbying Capitol Hill, plan to attend NAPO’s Legislative Breakfast for an update on NAPO’s legislative priorities, results to date from the 113th Congress, and to receive handouts to use during Hill visits. While on Capitol Hill, be sure to stop by NAPO’s Congressional Luncheon in the Senate Caucus Room, where several Congressmen and Senators will be recognized for their continued support of Law Enforcement.
The registration fee of $100.00 per person includes the Legislative Update Breakfast, Handouts, and Congressional Awards Luncheon. Please contact Elizabeth Loranger, NAPO’s Director of Events, at (800) 322-6278 or eloranger@napo.org if you have any questions regarding the seminar or hotel arrangements.
Please see the attached registration form for the schedule of the events, and return to NAPO at eloranger@napo.org or fax to (703) 684-0515 by May 2.
Please monitor NAPO’s website www.napo.org, and Facebook page: National Association of Police Organizations, and follow us on Twitter @NAPOpolice for breaking news and updates.