Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson recently voted in favor of H.R. 6448, the Invest to Protect Act, to authorize funding for local police forces, which passed with broad bipartisan support.

“The honorable men and women donning law enforcement uniforms need our support now, more than ever—and not just moral support. This is why I proudly voted in favor of the Invest to Protect Act, to provide Idaho police forces access to the training, equipment, and resources they need to keep our communities safe, including appropriate measures to recruit and retain qualified officers,” said Simpson.

The Invest to Protect Act would create a new grant program at the Department of Justice focused on helping police forces of small cities and communities that employ fewer than 125 law enforcement officers, which is 95% of police departments nationwide. Funding may go towards de-escalation training, signing and retention bonuses, improved access to mental health care for law enforcement officers, training for handling situations involving domestic violence and substance abuse, and other eligible activities. H.R. 6448 passed the House of Representatives on September 22, 2022, by a vote of 360-64 and now awaits consideration in the Senate.

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