Bipartisan legislation recently reintroduced in the U.S. Senate would help protect law enforcement from ambush-style attacks.
Law enforcement agencies reported more than 79,000 police officers were assaulted in 2023, and 60 were killed.
The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act, S. 1418, was introduced on April 10 by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, and U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).
“Law enforcement officers in Iowa and across the nation put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. Our bipartisan bill takes an essential step towards protecting our brave men and women in blue and putting an end to these disgusting attacks,” Grassley said.
According to the text of the legislation, S. 1418 would require the attorney general to submit no later than 270 days after the bill is enacted three reports to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on the Judiciary. The reports would be developed in consultation with Federal Bureau of Investigation director, the National Institute of Justice director and the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation director.
The first report would examine the number of offenders that intentionally targeted law enforcement officers and the number of incidents reported.
The second report would analyze the ability to implement a new Uniform Crime Reporting System and the National Incident-Based Reporting System category on aggressive actions, conduct, or other trauma inducing incidents against law enforcement officers.
The third report would detail the types, frequency, and severity of mental health and stress-related responses law enforcement officers experience regarding aggressive actions or other trauma. It also would detail the programs and resources available and the extent of their use.
“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.