Law enforcement officers across the United States dedicate their lives to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of our communities. These brave men and women face inherent risks daily as they Protect And Serve, and it is paramount that they receive the protection and support they deserve in return. In a crucial move to bolster the safety of law enforcement, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has reintroduced the bipartisan Protect and Serve Act. This pivotal legislation aims to make knowingly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury to a law enforcement officer a federal crime, sending a clear message that violence against those who protect and serve will not be tolerated.
This renewed push for the Protect and Serve Act comes at a somber time, following the tragic deaths of four law enforcement officers in Charlotte, North Carolina. These officers were killed while serving an arrest warrant on a known fugitive, a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement personnel in the line of duty. Senator Tillis, in a powerful speech on the Senate floor, paid tribute to these fallen heroes and underscored the urgent need for measures like the Protect and Serve Act.
“Law enforcement officers in North Carolina and across the country are heroes who risk their lives every day to protect and serve our communities,” stated Senator Tillis. “Those who commit senseless acts of violence against law enforcement officers must be held accountable for their actions, which is why I am proud to reintroduce this legislation that creates federal penalties for criminals who target law enforcement. They put their lives on the line to protect us, and we should do the work in Congress to protect them.”
The bipartisan nature of the Protect and Serve Act is evident in its co-sponsors, a diverse group of senators including Tom Cotton (R-AR), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joe Manchin (D-WV), John Hoeven (R-ND), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Susan Collins (R-ME), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). This broad support highlights the widespread recognition of the need to enhance protections for those who protect and serve.
Addressing the Rising Tide of Violence Against Law Enforcement
The impetus behind the Protect and Serve Act is rooted in the alarming increase in violence directed at law enforcement officers. Statistics paint a concerning picture of the escalating dangers they face. The National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) reported a staggering 378 officers shot in the line of duty in 2023 alone, with 46 fatalities resulting from gunfire. Furthermore, ambush-style attacks, particularly insidious and dangerous, numbered 115 last year, leading to 138 officers shot and 20 deaths.
These figures underscore a disturbing trend: attacks on law enforcement are not only frequent but are also becoming increasingly targeted and lethal. The Protect and Serve Act is a direct response to this escalating threat, aiming to provide federal prosecutors with the necessary tools to hold accountable individuals who perpetrate violence against those sworn to protect and serve.
Senator Cotton emphasized the unacceptable nature of attacks on law enforcement, stating, “Law enforcement officers face enough job hazards already, so attacking these men and women simply for doing their jobs is inexcusable. Our bill will help protect police by increasing penalties for the criminals who target them.”
Senator Graham echoed this sentiment, asserting, “We should do everything we can to support law enforcement officers on the job. This bill would make it a federal crime to attack a police officer in the line of duty, in order to deter these types of attacks from occurring. Now is the time for America to be clear that we support law enforcement – not just by words, but by action.”
Key Provisions of the Protect and Serve Act
The Protect and Serve Act is designed to provide tangible support and protection for law enforcement officers by introducing significant federal penalties for those who target them. The core provisions of the Act are straightforward yet impactful:
- Federal Crime for Knowingly Causing Harm: The Act establishes a federal crime for anyone who knowingly causes, or attempts to cause, bodily injury to a law enforcement officer. This provision applies to attacks on officers acting in their official capacity, ensuring that those who target law enforcement face serious consequences at the federal level.
- Significant Penalties: Offenders convicted under the Protect and Serve Act would face imprisonment for up to 10 years. This substantial penalty serves as a deterrent against violence targeting law enforcement and reflects the severity of such crimes.
- Enhanced Sentences for Aggravated Offenses: In cases where the offense results in the death of an officer, or involves kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, or attempted murder, offenders could face a life sentence. This provision ensures that the most heinous acts of violence against those who protect and serve are met with the most severe punishments under the law.
Senator Manchin highlighted the responsibility of Congress to protect law enforcement, stating, “Our brave law enforcement officers in West Virginia and across the country risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe, and we have a responsibility in Congress to do everything we can to protect them on the job. I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Protect and Serve Act to ensure individuals who commit or attempt to commit violence against these heroes are held accountable through harsher federal penalties.”
Broad Support from Law Enforcement Organizations
The Protect and Serve Act has garnered strong endorsements from leading law enforcement organizations across the nation, demonstrating the widespread recognition of its importance within the law enforcement community. Organizations that have formally endorsed the Act include:
- Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
- Sergeant Benevolent Association (SBA)
- Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA)
- National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition
- National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO)
These endorsements underscore the critical need for this legislation and the confidence that law enforcement professionals have in its ability to enhance officer safety. Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, emphasized the Act’s importance to his organization, stating, “This legislation is a priority for the FOP and was drafted as a direct response to the increased number of targeted attacks on law enforcement officers by imposing, in very limited circumstances, Federal penalties on individuals who deliberately and violently attack local, State or Federal law enforcement officers.”
Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations, echoed this sentiment, saying, “NAPO is calling on Congress to take up and pass the Protect and Serve Act to demonstrate that the killing or the attempted killing of our nation’s law enforcement officers is unacceptable and those who commit these heinous crimes must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
A Necessary Step to Protect Those Who Protect and Serve
The Protect and Serve Act represents a crucial step forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of law enforcement officers across the United States. By establishing federal penalties for those who knowingly harm or attempt to harm those who protect and serve, this legislation sends a powerful message of support and deterrence. It acknowledges the immense risks undertaken by law enforcement personnel and provides them with an added layer of protection under federal law.
As Senator Capito articulated, “Every single day, our law enforcement officers in West Virginia and across the nation risk their own lives to protect and serve our communities. It is critical that we do all that we can to protect them in return. That is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Protect and Serve Act, which makes intentionally harming our men and women in blue a federal crime.”
The Protect and Serve Act is not just about enhanced penalties; it is about reaffirming our nation’s commitment to those who dedicate their lives to protect and serve. It is about ensuring that they can carry out their duties with the assurance that their safety is a national priority. Congress should act swiftly to pass this vital legislation and send an unequivocal message that violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated, and that those who protect and serve will, in turn, be protected and served by the laws of our nation.
