Download production-quality b-roll of Senator Brown’s meeting with Ohio law enforcement officers and the equipment demonstration HERE.

 

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) met yesterday with the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association to mark National Police Week. During the meeting, Brown arranged for the officers to receive a demonstration of the high-tech screening devices that local law enforcement would get under his Providing Officers with Electronic Resources (POWER) Act. Brown discussed his bipartisan bill, which would help Ohio law enforcement officers better detect fentanyl, protect themselves from accidental overdoses, and investigate drug crimes. The bill would give Ohio officers access to the same high-tech screening equipment that Brown secured for federal Customs and Border Protection agents to use to help stop fentanyl at the border.

The POWER Act is cosponsored by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH).

“As we honor the work and sacrifices made by our law enforcement officers throughout Police Week, we need to offer more than kind words – we need action to support law enforcement as they work to keep Ohio communities safe,” said Brown.

President Trump signed the INTERDICT Act into law earlier this year. The POWER Act would establish a new grant program through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to help state and local law enforcement organizations obtain high tech, portable screening devices. The devices detect and identify dangerous drugs and help protect officers from overexposure to deadly opioids like fentanyl. Last year, an East Liverpool police officer accidentally overdosed after brushing fentanyl residue off of his uniform. These devices are already widely used by federal law enforcement to identify dangerous drugs at U.S. ports of entry. The devices could also help address the backlog of drugs awaiting laboratory identification which will allow law enforcement to more effectively conduct drug investigations and prosecutions.

Brown’s office worked closely with state and federal law enforcement to craft the POWER Act. The POWER Act is supported by the National Sheriffs’ Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Police Organizations, National HIDTA Directors Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association, International Union of Police Associations, National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies, National Tactical Officers Association, Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association, and Ohio Fraternal Order of Police.

Brown worked with 75 Senators to introduce a resolution to designate this week, May 13-19, 2018, as “National Police Week” and honor federal, state, local, and tribal police officers, sheriffs, and other law enforcement officers across the country for their dedication, bravery, and service. The resolution can be found by clicking HERE.

 

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