According to the Congressional hearing on May 15th, with the reduction in police personnel, attacks on law enforcement officers have reached the highest level in the past decade.
During National Police Week, lawmakers questioned representatives of law enforcement agencies at a hearing held by the House Homeland Security Committee. Witnesses included Gregory Mays, Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Michael Bullock, President of the Austin Police Association in Texas, and Michael Chapman, Sheriff of Loudoun County in Virginia.
When discussing the challenges faced by law enforcement, witnesses were asked if they believed that the job of law enforcement officers is safer today compared to three years ago. All witnesses unanimously agreed that they do not believe police officers are safer, highlighting the trend of attacks on law enforcement personnel.
Mays stated, “Attacks on law enforcement have reached the highest level in a decade.” He emphasized the increasing risks that police officers face every day. Bullock and Chapman also expressed similar views, sharing their concerns about law enforcement and emphasizing the urgency of enhancing measures to protect frontline personnel.
Mays’ comments align with a study released by the FBI on May 14th, which indicated that in 2023, there were over 79,000 reported attacks on police officers.
By analyzing data from various federal, state, local, and other agencies in the United States, the report identified patterns of violence against law enforcement agencies. This showed that more and more police officers are being targeted with firearms and harmed.
According to FBI officials, the 466 firearm-related attacks reported by agencies in 2023 were the highest number in a decade. In 2014, fewer than 200 officers were harassed and injured by individuals with firearms.
The FBI report stated that in 2023, 60 officers died due to criminal activities, a decrease from the previous year’s 61 deaths and 73 deaths in 2021.
FBI officials mentioned that while these numbers have decreased over the past three years, during this period, the number of officers killed in the line of duty due to criminal activities is higher than any other three-year period in the past twenty years.
The report indicated that officers killed between 2014 and 2023 had an average of 12 years of law enforcement experience.
It was reported that between 2019 and 2023, over 230 officers died in the line of duty due to accidents. 57% of officers died in vehicle accidents, while 30% were struck by vehicles.
Additionally, Bullock mentioned that in cities like Austin, Texas, police funding has been reduced, leading to personnel cuts. He noted that since 2020, the Austin Police Department has reduced its personnel by 30%.
Several lawmakers in both houses of Congress have started to pay attention to National Police Week, expressing gratitude to police officers working in their respective communities. This includes Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama.
The Alabama senator, along with his Republican colleagues, introduced a resolution declaring May 12th to 18th, 2024 as National Police Week to honor the 222 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty last year.
“The brave men and women in blue wake up every day, willing to sacrifice their own safety to serve fellow Americans they may not even know,” Tuberville stated in a press release.
“Police officers are the first line of defense for families in Alabama and across the nation. However, today, Democrats have turned our police officers into punching bags for the nation,” he said. “The attacks by Democrats on our police are absolutely disgusting, and every American, especially public officials, must condemn these attacks. Police officers are among the finest individuals in this country. Now, more than ever, they deserve our appreciation and support.”