Indianapolis – July 17, 2024. Our world has become a more dangerous place, especially for law enforcement officers, who have been under increased attack because of the uniform they wear. Officers are responding to a growing number of active shooter situations, and are navigating a landscape rife with social unrest and concerns about terrorist threats. They perform these duties as their agencies remain dangerously understaffed and as offenders have become emboldened by lenient criminal policies.
In this environment, police agencies need to be able to rely on the highest level of tactical tools available, to keep themselves and the public they serve safe. These tools include bullet-resistant vehicles that provide protection from criminals.
The necessity for police tactical vehicles was evidenced earlier this year during a shooting in Burnsville, Minnesota that claimed the lives of two police officers and a firefighter. Although a BearCat vehicle operated by SWAT officers that approached the scene sustained 41 shots, it ultimately saved the lives of officers and others in the vicinity.
This tragedy is what prompted Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) to introduce the Protect Local Law Enforcement Act of 2024, (H.R. 8429) this past May. The bill, which has been referred to the Judiciary Committee, would help eliminate much of the red tape that agencies currently must navigate to purchase tactical vehicles via federal Byrne-JAG grants. The bill’s text can be found here.
Under current U.S. Department of Justice policy, local police agencies must adhere to a rigid certification process to receive federal funds and purchase tactical vehicles; and they can only use the vehicles for the originally stated purpose. H.R. 8429 removes these burdensome restrictions, giving police more flexibility.
Because tactical vehicles are built to shield officers from weaponry, they can help officers accomplish tasks that standard police squad cars can’t. They place officers in a better position to mitigate threats from active shooter situations, violent riots, and potential acts of terror, without risking additional lives. They also give officers the leverage they need to rescue and evacuate citizens who may be held as hostages and provide them with a more optimal view of illegal activity.
“At a time when police officers are under increased attack and our country is facing growing threats and uncertainty, law enforcement needs to be able to access the most effective tools possible, without having to be burdened by time-consuming bureaucracy,” said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association.
The Protect Local Law Enforcement Act of 2024 would give police agencies the flexibility to more easily purchase this lifesaving equipment at a time when they -and the communities they serve- need it most. The National Police Association believes this bill has the potential to save the lives of both officers and citizenry, and we urge Congress to pass it now.
About The National Police Association: The National Police Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit Educational/Advocacy organization. For additional information visit NationalPolice.org
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