Congressman Lou Correa Introduces Legislation To Create Police-Community Safety Task Force

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Lou Correa’s (D-CA-46), joined by Congressman Josh Harder (D-CA-10), introduced H.R. 5251 - Improving Community Safety Act to create a task force to study violence against and involving law enforcement officers and first responders.

Rep. Lou Correa said, “Communities across the country have been rocked by continued violence involving our law enforcement professionals. We must ensure all our officers are well trained and prepared to protect our communities, to minimize the possibility of violent confrontations.

“We must remember the job our peace officers face is evolving, as well as, the challenges facing our communities. This task force will serve to develop and recommend strategies that ensure officers have the training and resources necessary to prevent unnecessary violence and ensure that they continue to do their job of protecting and serving our communities.”

“We have to do more to stop violence against our law enforcement officers – they put their lives on the line every day to protect us, and they should be able to come home safely to their families every night,” said Rep. Josh Harder. “Political types in Washington think they know everything – but it’s the folks on the ground who have the best sense of the challenges our law enforcement officers face in the line of duty – our bill will make sure we hear directly from them on how we can be helpful.”

“Every day, peace officers face numerous dangers as they carry out their duties and protect their neighbors—and far too often, those dangers include targeted assaults against the officers themselves. At the same time, many in our communities are facing a crisis in confidence when it comes to law enforcement,” said Brian Marvel, the President of Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). “PORAC applauds Congressman Correa for taking the first, vital step to addressing this problem with his Improving Community Safety Task Force Act. This legislation will bring together community leaders, law enforcement officers, and first responders, academics, and others to sit down and collect the data we need to fully address violence against and involving police officers, illuminating a way for communities and law enforcement to move forward together. PORAC is proud to endorse this legislation.”

View the bill here.