Rep. Delgado Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Local Law Enforcement

U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) this week helped introduce bipartisan legislation that would ensure law enforcement in small towns and rural areas have the resources, recruiting tools, and training they need to keep themselves and their communities safe. The bipartisan Invest in Law Enforcement Act creates a new federal grant program for local law enforcement in New York and across the country.

The bill has been endorsed by the New York State Sheriffs' Association, Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriffs Association, State Troopers Fraternal Association, and the National Association of Police Organizations.

"Small, rural police departments need our support as they seek to modernize and adapt their practices," said Rep. Delgado. "Law enforcement perform a dangerous job every day and we must come together to ensure they have the tools needed to keep us safe while building bridges in our communities. I am proud to join in this bipartisan effort to make targeted investments to equip small, rural departments with de-escalation and mental health training, body cameras, and other operational improvements. I will keep pushing for commonsense legislation to support the safety and wellbeing of our communities."

"Our local law enforcement plays a critical role in keeping our upstate families and towns safe," said Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffery Smith. "The funding from this legislation is an investment in our officers and will help them better protect our communities. I am happy to support Congressman Delgado in this bipartisan effort and look forward to working together to ensure local law enforcement agencies have the training and resources they need."

"In light of today's need for transparency and building community trust by diversifying, recruitment, retention, specialized de-escalation training, officer wellness and body camera technology, we can move local policing into the 21st century," said Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa. "Making this standardized throughout law enforcement must be a priority in particular to local agencies that cannot afford to Invest in what is requested of them by the communities they serve. I commend Congressmen Delgado for this important initiative."

"Congressman Delgado has once again shown his commitment to ensuring Law Enforcement agencies are equipped with the necessary resources that are needed to further training, education, and mental health services that will help to avert any unnecessary tragedies that have occurred across the nation. It is imperative that communities and law enforcement come together and work in unity, instead of an us versus them mentality," said Ellenville P.D. Chief Philip S. Mattracion. "Martin Luther King said that, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.' I fully support and endorse this legislation, and I commend Congressman Delgado for having the faith necessary to taking that first step, that will bring law enforcement together as one with their communities through technology, education, and training."

"The New York State Sheriffs' Association supports this legislation. It is our hope that this initiative is endorsed by Congress, as it will only be to the benefit of local law enforcement," said Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting, Executive Committee Chairman, New York State Sheriffs' Association. "The training and officer wellness programs that this legislation contemplates will further enable Sheriffs to keep their deputies and communities safe."

The new federal grant funding can be used for a variety of purposes including:

-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 recruitment and retention of qualified officers, including investments 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.

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