Bill Would Boost Protections for Federal Law Enforcement Officers, Toughen Penalties Against Offenders
As threats rise against law enforcement, legislation introduced in Congress is designed to offer more protection for law enforcement and tougher penalties for criminals who target the federal law enforcement community.
The Back the Blue Act was introduced by Congressmen Don Bacon (R-NE) and Jared Golden (D-ME).
It creates new criminal provisions for those convicted of killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill members of the federal law enforcement community including federal law enforcement officers, federal judges, and other federally funded public safety officers like firefighters, chaplains, and members of rescue squads.
“Those who protect our communities – whether it’s on the beat, from the bench, behind a hose, or performing CPR – deserve extra protection from violence directed at them, including assault, intent to kill, or conspiracy to kill,” said Rep. Bacon. “The anger and violence have risen against these community guardians and this legislation is needed now.”
The act would impose a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years if a death occurs and subjects the offender to the death penalty. Otherwise, the offender would face a minimum sentence of ten years.
It also creates a new federal crime with escalating penalties for assaulting a federally funded law enforcement officer, with the penalties varying based on extent of any injury and use of a dangerous weapon. Plus, any offender who attempted to flee to avoid prosecution would be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years.
The bill also expands self-defense and Second Amendment rights for law enforcement officers and opens grant funding to strengthen relationships between police and communities.
“It’s a tough, smart bill to ensure those who attack or kill officers pay a steep price, and to help reduce violence against officers before it happens,” said Rep. Golden.
Prior versions of the legislation were introduced in previous Congressional sessions but failed to advance.