Law enforcement

Funds Will Be Used to Improve Hazardous Materials Planning and Training

October 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it is awarding $20.9 million to states, territories and Native American tribes to improve the nation’s response to transportation incidents involving hazardous materials. The grants will help train first responders to react to incidents involving hazardous materials and to meet the safety challenges posed by new chemicals and alternative energy products such as ethanol.    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- Washington D.C. -- According to information released today by the FBI, 41 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty last year; 68 officers died in accidents while performing their duties; and 58,792 officers were assaulted while on duty. The 2008 edition of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted released today provides comprehensive tabular data about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks.

Felonious Deaths    » read more »

Submits Strengthening and Updating Resources and Equipment Act of 2009

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy today introduced legislation that will allow first responders to maintain the capabilities necessary to prepare and protect their communities against acts of terrorism and other emergencies. The Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie Thompson, joined Kilroy in cosponsoring the Strengthening and Updating Resources and Equipment Act (SURE Act) of 2009.    » read more »

New Law Will Keep Deadly Ammunition Out of the Hands of Criminals

10/15/2009 -- Building on his commitment to keeping dangerous weapons off California’s streets and out of the hands of criminals and gang members, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today highlighted a bill he signed, AB 962 by Assemblymember Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles).

This bill would require vendors of handgun ammunition transfers and sales to keep a log of information on handgun ammunition sales, store ammunition in a safe and secure manner and require the face-to-face transfer of ammunition sales.    » read more »

Senate Bill Would Cut Funds that Arizona's House Delegation Fought to Protect

15 October 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep Harry Mitchell today called on the U.S. Senate to block a $172 million cut to the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) that reimburses state and local law enforcement agencies for the cost of arresting and jailing illegal immigrants. Mitchell and other members of Arizona's delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives have led the fight in the House to protect the program.    » read more »

October 13, 2009, Bethel, Alaska – With a focus on revitalizing the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell today called for a greater partnership between the state and communities to increase training, recruiting and retention efforts. Of the 71 funded VPSO positions, only 52 are filled.

“I want to see a far greater and more meaningful law enforcement presence in the villages,” Governor Parnell said. “I’m asking for your help in identifying solid prospects for these law enforcement positions.”

Speaking at the Association of Village Council Presidents’ 45th annual convention in Bethel, the governor also addressed fisheries and energy issues.    » read more »

Governor says Legislature must act to protect police and fire services, K-12 education, Medicaid, Promise scholarships

October 12, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed fiscal year 2010 appropriations bills for the departments of Corrections, Education and Transportation.

"While I have now signed six budget bills, work is far from done on the budget," Granholm said. "The Senate needs to send me the six budgets they are withholding, and both the Senate and the House need to finish their jobs. We must protect police and fire services, K-12 education, Medicaid, and the Promise scholarships, but so far, the Legislature has failed to provide the necessary funding."

Department of Corrections    » read more »

Remarks as prepared for delivery.

DENVER, COLO. ~ Monday, October 5, 2009 -- Thank you, Chief Laine, for that kind introduction.

Chief Whitman, thank you for hosting the IACP in your home city.

And IACP Executive Director Dan Rosenblatt, thank you for your strong leadership of this outstanding organization.

Officers and Members of the Board of Directors, friends, and colleagues. It is my great pleasure to be able to join you today for the first time as Attorney General.    » read more »

Bill aims to prevent inmates from using technology to commit crimes outside of prison walls

October 5, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) today announced legislation to prevent inmates from using cell phones to commit crimes from inside prison walls.

The bill would close a loophole in federal law by prohibiting the use or possession of cell phones and wireless devices in federal prisons. The bill also would classify cell phones and wireless devices as contraband material. Anyone who provides, or attempts to provide, an inmate with a cell phone could face imprisonment of up to one year.    » read more »

September 30, 2009 -- AUSTIN – Texas Governor Rick Perry today granted a pardon for innocence to James Lee Woodard after DNA testing proved he did not sexually assault or murder Beverly Ann Jones in 1980. DNA testing was not available at the time the crime was committed.

“James Lee Woodard was wrongfully convicted for a crime he did not commit,” Perry said. “My action today cannot give back the time he spent in prison, but it does end this miscarriage of justice.”    » read more »

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Boost Program that Helps Law Enforcement Quickly Find Missing Persons

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Mel Martinez (R-FL), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and 10 other Senators in introducing legislation (S. 1301) that would make a federal investment in an effective program that assists law enforcement efforts to locating missing persons quickly.    » read more »

In Letter to Attorney General Holder, Brown Expresses Concerns Over Release of Economic Recovery Funds for Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Recovery Program

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter sent today to Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) expressed concern over the implementation of the Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Recovery Program included in the economic recovery package. Brown emphasized how funding for the program is essential for hiring and rehiring law enforcement officers to keep communities safe. The full text of the letter can be found below.

June 17, 2009

Hon. Eric Holder
Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001    » read more »

Has Led To Indictment Of 8 Individuals And The Opening Of More Than 80 Cases - Unit Cracking Down On Flood Of Mortgage Fraud Cases Infecting Brooklyn

June 22, 2009 -- Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes announced that the Kings County Mortgage Fraud and Real Estate Crimes Unit has led to the indictment of eight individuals and the opening of more than 80 cases. One such case involves Thomas Prusik-Parkin, the man accused of impersonating his deceased mother to collect Social Security benefits and rent subsidies.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), a senior member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, praised an agreement signed today that would give more counternarcotics authority to immigration agents to help reduce illegal drugs entering American communities.

In response to the signing of this Interagency Cooperation Agreement that increases cooperation and information sharing between the Department of Health And Human Services’ Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) and the Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Sen. Carper said:    » read more »

Gov. Nixon signs bill creating new fund to benefit families of emergency personnel killed in the line of duty

June 19, 2009 -- KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Standing inside a Kansas City fire station, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today signed a bill to benefit the families of Missouri emergency personnel killed in the line of duty. House Bill 580, which establishes the Line of Duty Compensation Act, allows a claim to be filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation on behalf of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, air ambulance pilot or air ambulance registered nurse for a benefit of $25,000.    » read more »