WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of 18 senators today launched the first ever U.S. Senate Law Enforcement Caucus to educate and inform their colleagues and staff about the programs and initiatives that are keeping our communities safe, while advocating for the policies and resources law enforcement agencies need to carry out their missions.

U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), the founders and co-chairs of the new caucus, made the announcement at an event in the Capitol on Tuesday. Other founding members of the caucus include Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mark Kirk (R-IL), John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Dean Heller (R-Nev.).

“While the brave men and women of law enforcement are doing everything they can to keep our communities safe, Congress ought to be doing everything it can to support their work,” Senator Coons said. “In this challenging economic time we may not be able to provide them all the resources they deserve, but we can still provide support by advocating on their behalf in Washington, by strengthening relationships between local, state, and federal agencies, and by highlighting best practices. This caucus will help us do all three.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to kick off this bipartisan caucus, which is aimed at strengthening support and communication between state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies nationwide,” Senator Blunt said. “These men and women play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, and I believe this will be a valuable forum for us to facilitate a discussion about the important issues facing America’s law enforcement community.”

The U.S. Senate Law Enforcement Caucus will primarily serve as a forum for officials, community groups, and other stakeholders to meet with legislators, staff, and one another to share experiences and develop strategies for fostering effective law enforcement. It will highlight ways in which the federal government can better assist agencies at the state and local levels, and will help circulate proven best practices in administering law enforcement programs during a time of severely limited budgets.

The goals of the caucus are to:

  • Raise awareness and support for beneficial law enforcement and criminal justice initiatives in the Senate
  • Reinforce the federal commitment to assisting state and local law enforcement agencies in the performance of their duties
  • Strengthen working partnerships between national, state and local law enforcement agencies
  • Facilitate an exchange and debate of information, ideas, and concerns within law enforcement
  • Promote an inclusive and collaborative approach to combating crime and promoting community safety
  • Advocate policies and measures that emphasize and enhance officer safety
  • Highlight and promote professional careers in law enforcement

The caucus plans to hold regular briefings on pressing law enforcement issues for U.S. senators and staff, as well as to meet regularly with law enforcement officials to learn about best practices and the tools they need to keep our communities safe.

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