WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) hosted a news conference call to mark National Police Week, an annual event honoring law enforcement officers and their families. Brown worked with 75 Senators to introduce a resolution to designate this week, May 13-19, 2018, as “National Police Week.” 

“We cannot begin to repay the debt we owe these heroes and their families. But we can work together to support their families and their fellow officers, as they work to protect Ohio communities,” said Brown.

 

Brown has worked to secure important legislative victories to keep Ohio law enforcement safe, including:

  • The Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act

In March, President Trump signed Brown’s Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act into law. The bill, which would increase access to Pell Grant scholarships for children of public service officers who are killed in the line of duty, was included as part of the omnibus spending package. Brown’s bill ensures if the child of the fallen public service officer qualifies for a Pell Grant, they would be eligible for the maximum award authorized by law.

  • The POWER Act

Earlier this year, Brown introduced the Providing Officers with Electronic Resources (POWER) Act along with Sen. Portman (R-OH). The bill would provide state and local law enforcement with portable screening equipment to quickly and effectively identify dangerous drugs in the field. Currently, drugs have to be sent off to a lab to be tested – which can take months. Having portable devices in the field would allow officers to identify drugs, like fentanyl, immediately so they can investigate more effectively and know the proper protocols to follow to protect themselves.  

  • Bulletproof Vest Funding

Brown is again leading efforts to secure funding for state and local officers to purchase lifesaving bulletproof vests.  In 2017, Brown secured $21 million for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program, a Department of Justice initiative that helps jurisdictions obtain new bulletproof vests.  This year, Brown again has called for full funding of the program.

 

Brown was joined on today’s call by Oregon Chief of Police Michael Navarre to recognize the service of Ohio law enforcement and honor the memories of fallen officers.

“In recent years, we have seen far too many senseless murders of police officers for no other reason than the fact that they wear a uniform and badge.  It is tragedy whenever a child loses a parent, regardless of their occupation.  The pain is compounded when it results from a man or a woman just doing their job and trying to make our communities safe.  Oftentimes, these deaths result in children losing a parent.  The least we can do as a society is to support those children and minimize the pain they are suffering,” said Chief Mike Navarre.

National Police Week honors law enforcement officers and their families and serves as a remembrance of officers who have died in the line of duty. The commemoration of National Police Week began in 1962 under a proclamation signed by President John F. Kennedy. 

 

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