Grassley, Colleagues Reignite Effort to Improve Reporting of Attacks on Law Enforcement
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led bipartisan colleagues in reintroducing legislation to enhance information-gathering on attacks targeting law enforcement. The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act (S.3522) would help fill identified gaps in reporting requirements for ambush-attacks against officers by increasing our understanding of these crimes and how they arise. The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).
“Attacks on law enforcement officers are tragic and disgusting assaults on justice,” Grassley said. “We ought to do all we can to ensure the physical and mental well-being of the courageous officers who serve us. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to back the blue and learn how we can better protect those in uniform.”
“Members of law enforcement help keep our communities safe and should be able to do their jobs without fear of being attacked. Through this legislation, the federal government will collect data on attacks and help us better understand motives and prevent them from happening. This is a critical effort to maintain positive relationships between law enforcement and those they serve,” Luján said.
“Attacks on our law enforcement officers are abhorrent and we must get a clear picture on when they occur. I’m proud to co-introduce this bipartisan legislation so we can improve reporting and continue supporting the men and women in blue to prevent these disgusting acts,” Tillis said.
“We must work together to reduce attacks on law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” Hassan said. “I am glad to help reintroduce this bipartisan legislation so that we can better protect these brave men and women and also improve public safety as a whole.”
“Protecting law enforcement officers’ physical and mental health needs to be a priority,” Cassidy said. “They support us, we must support them. This legislation gives us the tools to better protect officers’ lives.”
Background
Tragically, 60 police officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2022. Nearly 30 percent of police officer killings were the result of an unprovoked attack or ambush. While the government collects basic information on these attacks, such as when the attack occurred and what types of weapons were used, more information is needed to help law enforcement officers prepare for, identify and prevent future anti-police activity.
The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act would:
- Increase the categories of information that can be voluntarily reported regarding anti-police attacks, including the intention and coordination of perpetrators;
- Direct the Justice Department to explore adding escalatory aggression to its reports; and
- Shed light on the mental health and stress-related impacts of aggressive activity or trauma on law enforcement; and
- Explore the availability and extent to which mental health resources for officers are used.
The bill is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Officers, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, Sergeants Benevolent Association of the NYPD, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and Major Counties Sheriffs of America.
Bill text is available HERE.
