Washington, D.C. -- Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Rodney Davis (IL-13) re-introduced H.R. 3131, the David Dorn Back the Blue Act, in the House to raise police officer salaries and hire more police officers. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) and others are also co-sponsors of the legislation.
“As a federal prosecutor, I spent countless hours with law enforcement officials who do heroic work, day-in-and-day-out, to protect and serve our communities in central and west-central Illinois,“ said Rep. LaHood. “It’s disappointing that some politicians and big-city mayors have sought to undermine the ability of our law enforcement to protect and serve in recent months. I am proud to join Congressman Rodney Davis to introduce the David Dorn Back the Blue Act because I see firsthand the sacrifices the men and women who button up the blue uniform make to keep Illinoisans safe. To Illinois police officers: I support you and will always have your back in Congress.”
“I’m proud to support the men and women of law enforcement in Congress,” said Rep. Davis. “They have a tough job, and we should be doing everything we can to support them. We can start by increasing funding for law enforcement and making sure they have the resources they need to do their jobs and keep our communities safe. We should also reject calls from some Democrats who want to ‘defund the police.’ It’s one of the most dangerous ideas I’ve ever heard. I wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for the brave actions of two Capitol Police officers who ran towards gunfire. I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation and stand with law enforcement officers in Illinois and across the country.”
“Defunding the police will not make our communities safer – in fact, the statistics prove the opposite. Now more than ever, it is critical that we provide our men and women in blue with the resources and training they need to keep our communities safe. I’m proud to once again support the David Dorn Back the Blue Act and stand with our law enforcement officials in Southern Illinois and around the nation,” said Rep. Bost.
“The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association deeply appreciates the continued support of Congressman Davis and his re-introduction of the David Dorn Back the Blue Act to protect and promote public safety. This Act is a big step in the right direction in supporting those in law enforcement and encouraging others to share in the oath to keep our communities safe,” said Jim Kaitschuk, Executive Director, Illinois Sheriffs’ Association. “We have recently seen more and more citizens vocalize their support for the men and women of law enforcement and express significant concern regarding the increased criminal activity. The Sheriffs of this State will continue to be there for our communities and we thank Congressman Davis for this effort to support us.”
“Recruiting and retaining police officers in this climate is becoming more difficult for a majority of Illinois departments. Having this additional source of funds in a time when municipalities have budget crises would be most welcome. Not only that, but many of our members work just across the river from where David Dorn was killed, and seeing this bill named in his honor makes it more impactful. Thanks to all who are backing the blue.” - Ed Wojcicki, Executive Director, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police
The David Dorn Back the Blue Act:
- Authorizes $15 billion through the Department of Justice to help state and local law enforcement departments to boost their department personnel.
- Retains existing funding for the Mental Health and Wellness Act services at a minimum level in an effort to not negatively impact existing mental health services; provides that only funding appropriated over the currently authorized level of $7.5M can be used for the purposes of the bill.
- Provides funding for additional officer hires and officer retention for departments that need more manpower on their police forces.
- Gives pay raises to officers by allowing recipients to use federal funds to raise the salaries of officers up to 110 percent of the local median earnings.
- Excludes cities that defund their police by not allowing any department to receive money for pay raises that recently cut officer salaries.
- Includes language to ensure that an agency that has reduced salaries in the year prior due to COVID-19 related budget constraints are not penalized, only those seeking to dismantle law enforcement agencies.
You can find the legislative text here.
The legislation is named in honor of David Dorn, a retired St. Louis Police captain, who was killed on June 2, 2020, while protecting a friend’s store during a violent night of rioting in St. Louis. He served for 38 years with the St. Louis Police Department.
Rep. LaHood also supports the police reforms outlined in U.S. Senator Tim Scott’s JUSTICE Act. You can find out more information about that legislation here.
Background:
America’s law enforcement officers are under siege:
- Police departments across the country face increasing retirements and separation of officers, while they struggle to hire new officers.
- Many state and local law enforcement agencies report decreasing morale among officers as they face increasing violence and their work is vilified.
- Police departments struggle to pay officers a salary commensurate with the challenging work as officers face increasing rioting and violence.
- Meanwhile, in the face of growing crime, many cities led by Democrats are threatening to “defund the police” and slash law enforcement budgets.
To address these crises, the federal government must assist with the hiring and funding of additional police officers to protect our communities.
