Blue Alert Update

August 2, 2013

For the past two weeks, NAPO has joined fellow law enforcement organizations to advocate for the passage of the National Blue Alert Act of 2013 during meetings with staffers for the following members of the Senator Judiciary Committee: Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

NAPO was very excited to learn that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has scheduled a meeting in September for the Committee to consider this important legislation, which will create a national alert system to notify all state and federal law enforcement agencies with critical information when an officer is injured or killed in the line of duty.

The bipartisan National Blue Alert Act of 2013, authored by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), directs the Department of Justice to establish a national communications network to quickly broadcast information to law enforcement agencies nationwide when an officer is injured or killed in the line of duty. The measure, coauthored by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and cosponsored by Leahy and 11 other senators, would assist in the apprehension of someone suspected of seriously injuring or killing a law enforcement officer who crosses from one law enforcement jurisdiction to another.

"The Judiciary Committee has traditionally worked in a bipartisan way when it comes to helping to keep the men and women in law enforcement as safe as possible, and that tradition was on full display with today's bipartisan approval of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act," Leahy said. "I look forward to the Committee continuing its bipartisan work in September when we consider the National Blue Alert Act of 2013."

"The brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect the public as law enforcement officers deserve every resource at their disposal, including the seamless dissemination to the public and others who could assist in the apprehension of violent criminals," said Cardin, who introduced similar legislation in the 112th Congress. "I am proud that Maryland has been a leader in the use of the Blue Alert System. Like the successful Amber Alerts, it works. We now need to expand this valuable tool nationally. I thank Chairman Leahy for making it a priority to protect those who make sacrifices to protect all of us."

NAPO will continue to advocate for the passage of this important piece of legislation during August recess. If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact Melissa Nee at: mnee@napo.org.

Source:

United States. Cong. Senate. Senate Judiciary Committee. SJC To Consider National Blue Alert Act In September. By Patrick Leahy and Ben Cardin. 113th Cong. S. Bill. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.