With the introduction of the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act this week, five senators sought to increase the information that can be supplied about anti-police attacks and explore their impacts on officers’ mental health.
According to the group, it would improve information-gathering on attacks targeting law enforcement and help fill identified gaps in reporting requirements by first improving understanding of those crimes and from where they come. They cited the deaths of 60 police officers last year to justify the bill, noting that nearly 30 percent of those deaths stemmed from unprovoked attacks or ambushes.
“Attacks on our law enforcement officers are abhorrent and we must get a clear picture on when they occur,” U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) 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 authors noted that the government already collects basic information on such attacks, including when they occurred and the types of weapons used. However, the lawmakers want more information available to better help officers prepare for and prevent future anti-police activity. Further, the bill would provide greater insights into the mental health and stress impacts of aggressive activity or trauma on law enforcement and explore the availability and extent to which associated resources are used.
Other sponsors of the bill included U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA). Support from outside Congress has come from the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Officers, Sergeants Benevolent Association of the NYPD, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and Major Counties Sheriffs of America.