Representative Abigail Spanberger helped lead a bipartisan effort to make investments in local police departments in Virginia and across the country.
The Invest in Law Enforcement Act would ensure police officers in smaller communities and rural areas have resources, recruiting tools and training.
Spanberger is a former federal law enforcement officer.
“As a former federal agent and the daughter of a career law enforcement officer, I understand the critical importance of supporting those who keep our communities safe,” Spanberger said in a news release. “The bipartisan Invest in Law Enforcement Act would provide police departments with long overdue investments in training, equipment, retention bonuses, and recruitment resources. Additionally, this legislation recognizes the need for improved mental health services for these men and women, many of whom are left in the position of stepping in as crisis counselors. I am proud to help introduce this legislation to ensure Virginia’s law enforcement officers have the necessary tools to protect our citizens — one of our fundamental responsibilities as a nation.”
The bipartisan legislation is also endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police and the National Troopers Coalition.
The following is information from the release on how the bipartisan legislation would support police officers in Virginia:
- Investing in officer safety, de-escalation, and domestic violence response training. These investments would allow officers to receive critical training that will make them more effective at their jobs, without putting a strain on department budgets or reducing the number of officers on duty while others are at training by allowing investment to be used to offset overtime pay.
- Allocating resources for body-worn cameras — to hold all officers accountable — while also providing much-needed funding for data storage and data security.
- Providing grants for small departments to recruit new officers — helping expand departments and bringing in new, good officers. It will also provide retention bonuses to help departments keep their existing officers and provide investment for officers pursuing graduate degrees in public health, social work, and mental health.
- Providing critical resources for police departments to provide mental health resources for their officers.
Original source can be found here.
