Representatives Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Troy Nehls (R-TX), and Colin Allred (D-TX) among others have put forward a bipartisan effort to fund and expand the Protecting Our Lives by Initiating COPS Expansion (POLICE) Act of 2016 through the 2025 Fiscal Year (FY) appropriations bill.
The bill allows for “hands-on, scenario-based, and integrated active shooter response training for local law enforcement and first responders, including emergency medical service (EMS) and firefighters.”
Moreover, over 146,000 first responders have gone through the training which includes 14 courses, molded from how law enforcement has learned from tragic active shootings in the past. However, 600 law enforcement jurisdictions are waiting to receive active shooting training but only about 300 jurisdictions a year can receive it due to lack of funding.
In a letter to Representative Hal Rogers, R-AL (Chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies – Subcommittee of House Appropriations Committee) and Representative Matt Cartwright, D-PA (Ranking Member of the same committee), the colleagues of the legislators listed above share their rationale for an increase in funding.
“As you know, the POLICE Act funds nationally recognized active shooter training programs that offer scenario-based, integrated response courses designed to counter active shooter threats or acts of terrorism against individuals or facilities,” wrote Reps. Moskowitz, Nehls, and Allred among others. “The training that this funding facilitates is critical because effective active shooter response requires a precise and coordinated effort from all emergency service personnel. Without it, medical care is invariably delayed, often with tragic consequences. The POLICE Act and the work it prescribes has never been more important to enhance the integration of law enforcement, fire, and EMS’ response to active shooter events.”
Later on, they would conclude, “Your subcommittee has been extremely supportive of this program in the past, and we encourage you to continue robust funding to implement the POLICE Act, so that our nation’s first responders remain fully prepared to meet the challenge of any active shooter situation.”
Representatives James Moylan (R-GU), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Pat Fallon (R-TX), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
