Individuals who deliberately target local, state or federal law enforcement officers with violence would face federal penalties under legislation recently proposed by U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Jerry Moran (R-KS).
“Law enforcement officers in North Carolina and across the country are heroes who risk their lives every day to protect our communities,” Sen. Tillis said. “Those who commit senseless acts of violence against law enforcement officers must be held accountable for their actions. They put their lives on the line to protect us, and we should do the work in Congress to protect them.”
Sen. Tillis on March 16 sponsored the Protect and Serve Act, S. 774, with 17 GOP cosponsors, including Sen. Moran and U.S. Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Susan Collins (R-ME), Rob Portman (R-OH), and John Hoeven (R-ND).
“There is great risk involved in being a law enforcement officer, but the additional threat of ambushes and targeted attacks make the job harder and more dangerous for our men and women in blue,” said Sen. Moran. “Violence against law enforcement is unacceptable; that is why I am joining my colleagues in introducing this legislation to create federal penalties for attacks on any law enforcement officer, whether a Capitol Police officer or a Kansas patrolman or patrolwoman.”
If enacted, S. 774 would make it a federal crime to knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, serious bodily injury to a law enforcement officer. Offenders could face imprisonment for up to 10 years, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Additionally, an offender could receive a life sentence if a death results from the offense, or the offense includes kidnapping, attempted kidnapping or attempted murder, the summary says, adding that the enacted law would apply to federal law enforcement officers, as well as state and local officers in circumstances where the federal government can establish jurisdiction over the case.
The measure recently received endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Sheriffs Association, the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, and the Major County Sheriffs Association.