By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer
Beginning Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, we celebrate National Police Week — a time that brings our nation together to honor the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our brave law enforcement officers. We owe them a debt of gratitude for risking their lives every day to make the Good Life we all cherish a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.
In the U.S. Senate, I have long supported policies and programs that back the blue and help these first responders carry out their duty to protect Nebraskans. This includes using my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to direct federal funding toward critical Nebraska safety priorities.
Most recently, I secured more than $4.2 million to support first responder emergency communications in communities across Nebraska, including Otoe and Thayer counties. I also delivered nearly $2.2 million to support anti-trafficking efforts across our state. Additionally, I secured more than $2.8 million for safety equipment upgrades at the Omaha Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and in Douglas County.
In addition to securing federal funding, I have been focused on legislative solutions to enable police to do their jobs safely with proper resources. I am proud to support the Protect and Serve Act, which would make it a federal crime to knowingly cause harm to a law enforcement officer.
Additionally, I have been advocating for programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods, which has a proven track record of holding violent criminals accountable. In fact, I cosponsored the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Reauthorization Act. Since its inception, the program has established a nationwide partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutors that uses evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime.
But in order to continue these instrumental programs and policies, we must have enough officers. Staffing shortages across the nation are threatening public safety. Recruiting and retaining skilled personnel is essential to our communities’ overall safety and success.
That is why I pushed the Recruit and Retain Act — now signed into law — to provide law enforcement across the country with resources to combat staffing shortages. Specifically, the law expands the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services grants to cover onboarding costs, making it easier for law enforcement agencies to hire new officers.
These are some of my existing efforts, but I am always looking for new ways to support our police officers’ important work. I hosted a law enforcement roundtable in Scottsbluff last August, and I continue to solicit input and feedback from first responders as I travel the state. Please never hesitate to reach out to my office at fischer.senate.gov if you ever have an idea to share.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
