A bipartisan push in the Senate yielded the introduction of the Improving Law Enforcement Office Safety and Wellness Through Data Act to the Judiciary Committee last week to improve information gathering on attacks that target law enforcement.
The legislation was introduced by U.S. Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and backed by both the National Association of Police Officers and the Fraternal Order of Police. It would build on existing reporting requirements and satisfy gaps in knowledge of the events leading to and including ambush-style attacks against law enforcement.
Those gaps have been identified by law enforcement groups like those supporting the bill.
“Attacks on our law enforcement officers are abhorrent, and we must get a clear picture on when they occur,” Tillis said. “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.”
The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act would increase the information that can be voluntarily reported on such attacks. The Justice Department would also need to consider adding escalatory aggression to its reporting considerations. Further, the bill would require greater attention paid to mental health and the stress impacts the trauma of these incidents have on law enforcement and the mental health resources available for officers.
According to reports, the number of police officers killed on the job increased by 58.7 percent last year compared to 2020. That made it the deadliest year for law enforcement murders since 2001. Nearly 44 percent of the 2021 killings were also notable for being deemed unprovoked or ambushes.
Currently, the federal government collects information on these attacks, including when they occurred and what weapons were used. However, police organizations have argued that more information is needed to properly prepare for, identify and prevent anti-law enforcement activity in the future. This would include data on the intention and potential coordination of perpetrators in known attacks.