WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) and the House of Representatives marked Police Week 2017 by passing several bills designed to honor the law enforcement community’s sacrifices and ensure that the brave men and women who serve have the tools needed to do their job and keep the public safe.
“National Police Week is a special time to unite – nationwide - to honor those who sacrifice so much to protect our neighborhoods, and our loved ones. To those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, we stand eternally grateful,” said Fitzpatrick speaking on the House floor.
Legislation passed by the House includes:
- Rapid DNA Act of 2017 (H.R. 510) - This bill helps identify the guilty and free the innocent by allowing Rapid DNA analysis machines to be used at local police stations. Rapid DNA technology expedites DNA analysis for suspect identification purposes and allows local law enforcement to accurately identify a suspect within hours, as opposed to weeks when evidence is shipped off to a lab.
- Honoring Hometown Heroes Act (H.R. 1892) - This legislation honors law enforcement by permitting the American flag to be flown at half-staff when a police officer, firefighter, or first responder is killed in the line of duty.
- Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017 (H.R. 1616) - This bill authorizes a program that has been run by the U.S. Secret Service for several years that trains state and local law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges regarding cyber and electronic crimes.
- American Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2017 (H.R. 1428) - This legislation prioritizes the hiring of veterans by awardees of grants under the COPS Hiring program.
- Thin Blue Line Act (H.R. 115) – Establishes stricter penalties for the murder or attempted murder of a police officer, firefighter or other first responder. Watch Fitzpatrick discuss the measure during debate HERE
National Police Week began in 1962 as a way to honor those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.