Fraternal Order of Police Endorses Harder’s Bill to Support Law Enforcement
1 in 10 calls to police involve mental illness; Rep. Harder’s bill would partner law enforcement with mental health professionals
The Fraternal Order of Police includes more than 373,000 law enforcement officers across the country
WASHINGTON - Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-9) announced that the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) has endorsed his legislation to match police officers with mental health professionals to respond to mental health crises. The Supporting the Health and Safety of Law Enforcement Actwould create a new grant program to increase coordination between community mental health centers and law enforcement officers on mental health issues, including homelessness and public safety. Harder’s bill is supported by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office and the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), the largest law enforcement organization in California. The International Society of Psychiatric Nurses, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Mental Health Counselors Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance have also endorsed the legislation.
“Our local police departments are responding to more and more incidents related to mental health, and they need more resources to do their jobs safely,” said Rep. Harder. “I’m grateful to the Fraternal Order of Police for supporting my bill to create new grants for our police to work side by side with mental health professionals when responding to mental health crises. I look forward to working together to make sure our brave law enforcement officers have the resources they need to keep protecting our communities effectively and safely.”
Read FOP’s letter of endorsement HERE or below:
Dear Representative Harder,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 4911, the “Supporting the Health and Safety of Law Enforcement Act.”
Recent studies show that one in every ten calls for police response involve a person suffering from a mental illness, and that one in three people transported to a hospital emergency room for psychiatric reasons are taken by the police. Given their nature, these calls carry a higher risk of injury for both the officers and the individuals in question.
Your legislation would fund a pilot program that would place social workers within law enforcement agencies. Having trained and licensed social workers working side by side with our nation’s law enforcement and corrections officers will help them better recognize and respond appropriately to behavioral health crises caused by mental illness and substance abuse.
On behalf of the more than 373,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you for your leadership on this issue. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President
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