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Empowering our Law Enforcement Officers

May 19, 2008
Weekly Columns

Last week the nation's Capitol was probably one of the safest places in the country. It received an extra measure of safety because thousands of law enforcement officials from across the United States came to lobby Congress, honor fallen heroes and participate in other activities that mark the annual National Police Week. Their presence was truly a reminder of the importance of our nation's law enforcement professionals, but it was also a reminder of the violence they face and the enforcement issues they deal with everyday.

In the new millennium our police officers have had to face increasingly violent offenders. In fact, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has recently reported that the rate of violent crime has gone up around the country. One area of major growth has been in gang violence, where incidents of gang-related crime have spread beyond the borders of cities and into suburban areas. The Department of Justice notes that there are over 25,000 gangs operating in America today and those gangs are increasingly targeting young adolescents as recruits. Police officers are facing a changing landscape of gang violence and they need the authority, support and tools to take on this growing segment of violent crime.

Another area where crime is rapidly growing is on the Internet. Law enforcement officials are putting up an impressive fight against this crime, but the number of malicious web sites posted on the Internet is growing everyday. Cybercrime is the new frontier for criminals and our police officials are fighting the good fight against online sexual predators and other cybercrimes such as identity theft. Congress can and should do more to empower law enforcement officers by passing relevant legislation that does more to protect American families. In fact, there are over 100 bills, introduced by Republicans, that are pending in Congress right now that provide ways to help police officers better fight crime. That legislation needs to be considered in short order.

It's clear that we need to better support our nation's law enforcement officers. They are the first ones to arrive on the scene and the last ones to leave. During National Police Week, part of the time is put aside to honor the law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice or have become disabled during their service to our country. It is important that Americans continue to honor those fallen heroes and those who were injured during duty.

Oklahoma's chief training facility for local law enforcement officials is located in Ada - the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training. The institution, also known as CLEET, has worked to shape the competent and professional law enforcement officers that Oklahoma is home to. I am proud to represent people who support programs like CLEET and understand the sacrifices that law enforcement officials make every day. Oklahomans show their respect by caring for the family members of fallen heroes and remembering to say something as simple as "thank you for your service" to those who are currently serving. Those actions are meaningful and encouraging and they are one small way to repay the men and women who put themselves in danger and their lives on the line to protect American citizens. We can never say "thank you" enough to them.