Introducing Legislation to Encourage Recruitment and Retention

Across the Seventh District, I hear about the recruitment and retention struggles for our police force. This of course was worse when the Left used their time in leadership to villainize law enforcement. Unfortunately, that false narrative has made this noble profession less appealing for many. Luckily, we now have government leadership that supports and respects police, and I am doing what I can to increase recruitment and retention of the force from Washington.

This week, I introduced the Law Enforcement Education Grant Program Act. This would provide federal grants to students pursuing their first degree in law enforcement or a criminal justice-related field. As a requirement of receiving the grant, the applicant must commit to serving as a full-time law enforcement officer for four years within an eight-year period of completing their studies. If an applicant fails to complete their service requirements, the grant will be converted into a loan and the applicant will be required to pay it back, with exemptions for officers who are injured in the line of duty who cannot serve out the 4-year requirement. The grant would be for up to $4,000 per year, not exceeding $16,000 total. I will be urging leadership to bring this bill to the House floor for a vote this Congress.

LEOSA Reform Act 

A good guy with a gun beats a bad guy with a gun, and our officers should have the ability to protect their community whether they are on or off duty. 

This week, we passed the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act. In 2004, President George W. Bush passed the LEOSA Act, to exempt qualified law enforcement, active or retired, from local and state prohibitions on concealed carry regulations. This week's bill expands the ability of these LEOSA-qualified law enforcement officers to carry in "common or contract carriers" like public transportation, as well as in school zones, national parks, and on state and local property.

I was proud to co-sponsor this legislation, which passed 216-203 in the House, to extend concealed carry privileges for our officers so they can follow through on their commitment to protect our communities.

Allowing Officers to Buy their Retired Weapon

Today's law requires federal agencies to destroy firearms when they have been retired. House Republicans believe it would make more sense to allow current or retired federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase these weapons, so this week we passed the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act. 

Not only does this legislation increase the opportunity for trained officers to purchase weapons, at salvage price, that they are already familiar with, but destroying firearms is a horrible waste of federal resources. I am glad to support bills that support our officers, make good common sense, and cut federal waste.

Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act

Unfortunately, we have all seen the increase in attacks on our law enforcement officers. And it's taking a toll. For Congress to effectively respond and support to these attacks and their impacts on officers, we need accurate data. 

This week, the House passed the bipartisan Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act. This bill directs the Attorney General to compile data related to attacks on police, including the number of attacks, the mental health responses, and resources and recommendations for improving responses to the attacks. This report will be sent to Congress for us to build legislation to best serve our men and women in uniform.

Thank you for reading!

fischbach.house.gov

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