On Feb.14, NAPO participated in a stakeholder meeting with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which serves as the chief human resources agency and personnel policy manager for the federal government, and other national federal, state and local law enforcement representatives for an initial discussion on Section 3 of the President’s Executive Order on police reform. Section 3 covers officer recruitment, hiring, promotions and retention; The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is accepting grant applications from law enforcement agencies for the purchase of body-worn cameras through two grant programs: FY 2023 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies and FY 2023 Supporting Small, Rural, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agency Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program; NAPO priority legislation, the Thin Blue Line Act, was reintroduced in the Senate as S. 459 by Senators Mike Braun (R-IN) and John Kennedy (R-LA). They were joined by original cosponsors Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ron Johnson (R-WI.), Marco Rubio (R-FL), James Lankford (R-OK), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and John Hoeven (R-ND). This important bill would increase penalties on those who harm or target for harm public safety officers by making the murder or attempted murder of a local police officer, firefighter, or first responder an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations in federal court. This would be applicable whether they were targeted or murdered on duty, because of the performance of their duty, or because of their status as a public official; Register to join NAPO on Thursday, May 11 for Lobby Day & Legislative Awards Luncheon on Capitol Hill. This is a great opportunity to lobby Congressional Representatives and Senators on behalf of your members concerning the issues which affect law enforcement. Prior to lobbying Capitol Hill, plan to attend NAPO’s Legislative Breakfast for an update on NAPO's legislative priorities, results to date from the 118th Congress and to receive handouts to use during Hill visits. While on Capitol Hill, be sure to stop by NAPO’s Legislative Awards Luncheon, which is back after a three-year hiatus, where several Representatives, Senators, and their staff will be recognized for their continued support of Law Enforcement.

For more details on these and other legislative issues, please click here for the Feb. 24, 2023 Washington Report.