Bill to Make Attack on Law Enforcement a Federal Crime Reintroduced
As the nation prepares to mark National Police Week May 12-18, legislation is reintroduced to toughen the law surrounding attacks against law enforcement officers.
The Protect and Serve Act would automatically make it a federal crime to knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, bodily injury to a law enforcement officer.
The law would apply to federal law enforcement as well as state and local officers in circumstances where the federal government can establish jurisdiction over the case.
Offenders would face up to ten years in prison. If the offense includes kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, or attempted murder, or death results from the offense, the sentence could be life behind bars.
The legislation was reintroduced by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), who initially proposed the Protect and Serve Act 2020.
The reintroduction comes after Charlotte, North Carolina witnessed the deadliest attack on U.S law enforcement since 2016. A suspect opened fire on officers serving a warrant on April 29, 2024, killing four officers including a Deputy U.S. Marshal, and injuring four others.
“Law enforcement officers in North Carolina and across the country are heroes who risk their lives every day to protect our communities,” said Senator Tillis. “Those who commit senseless acts of violence against law enforcement officers must be held accountable for their actions.”
Co-sponsors are Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joe Manchin (D-WV), John Hoeven (R-ND), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Susan Collins (R-ME), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).
“I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Protect and Serve Act to ensure individuals who commit or attempt to commit violence against these heroes are held accountable through harsher federal penalties. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense legislation,” said Senator Manchin, the only Democrat co-sponsoring the bill.
Law Enforcement Support
The legislation has strong support from law enforcement organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police, Sergeant Benevolent Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, National Narcotic Officers' Associations' Coalition, and the National Association of Police Organization.
“We are grateful to Senator Tillis for leading the charge on this issue. We look forward to working with them to get this measure to the floor,” said Fraternal Order of Police National President Patrick Yoes.
“This legislation will ensure individuals who attack officers are held accountable and assist our efforts to deter further violence against law enforcement,” said Major County Sheriffs of America Executive Director Megan Noland.
The National Fraternal Order of Police reports as of December 31, 2023, there were 378 officers shot in the line of duty that year. Of those officers shot, 46 of them were killed by gunfire. There were 115 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers last year. These ambush-style attacks resulted in 138 officers shot, 20 of whom were killed by gunfire.
“Now is the time for America to be clear that we support law enforcement – not just by words, but by action,” said Senator Graham, one of the co-sponsors.