WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp worked to honor the tireless work of local law enforcement in North Dakota and across the nation by promoting policies that: honor their service, keep them coming home safely each night to their families, and develop widespread alerts for those who seek to do them harm.

“Law enforcement officers who protect our communities put their lives on the line every day, and we need to help make sure they return home to their families at night,” said Heitkamp. “Since my time as North Dakota’s Attorney General, I’ve come to truly appreciate and admire the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers – and I know from my experiences and relationships the tools they need to keep them safe. That’s why I supported three key policies that show our law enforcement officers our deep gratitude and appreciation. By implementing a coordinated national alert system to track down those who harm or threaten our peace officers, providing resources like bullet-proof vests to make sure they can come home at night to their families, and dedicating a week to recognize their work across the nation, we can truly honor our law enforcement officers and thank them for their service.”

Heitkamp supported the bills which passed in the Senate that would:

• Get Dangerous Criminals Who Threaten or Harm Officers Off the Street Quickly: Heitkamp supported legislation that unanimously passed in the Senate to create a ‘Blue Alert’ system to quickly disseminate information about suspects who are believed to pose an immediate threat to law enforcement officers, or are wanted in relation to the disappearance, harming, or killing of an officer.

• Keep Officers Prepared with the Tools to Keep Them Safe: Heitkamp has long advocated for policies that secure the best possible tools for the law enforcement and emergency response teams who put their lives on the line to protect our communities, and strongly backed Senate-passed legislation to make sure that law enforcement officers are equipped with bullet-proof safety vests to make sure they can come home each night to their families.
• Honor the Brave Service of Officers Across the Country: Heitkamp supported legislation to recognize the dedication of law enforcement officers to the protection of communities across the nation. With Heitkamp’s support, the week of May 9 will officially be designated as National Police Week in a formal recognition of their efforts.

Since her time as North Dakota’s Attorney General, Heitkamp has seen firsthand the devotion and sacrifice of law enforcement officers, and understands the tools they need to keep us, and their forces strong and safe. That’s why she has been steadfast in her dedication to making sure they have the protection, and the resources they need to do their jobs – and that they know how much their service is appreciated across the nation.

Last fall, Heitkamp launched her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative to help address some of the emerging challenges facing the state by bringing a greater focus to keeping North Dakota's communities strong and families safe in their homes, including better supporting local law enforcement officers. By convening a Strong & Safe Communities Task Force comprised of North Dakotans from across the state who have strong understandings of many of the new safety challenges the state faces – such as increases in drug-related crimes, human trafficking, infrastructure stress, and the movement of crude by rail through North Dakota towns, as well as other issues – the group is working together to offer recommendations to help make sure North Dakota's communities remain strong and safe for decades to come by addressing these issues head on. 

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