RELEASE: Harder Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Fix Police Officer Shortages

Area emergency response departments continue to face shortages

Filling a police officer vacancy can take up to a year
 

STOCKTON – Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) and Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced bipartisan legislation to help combat police officer shortages, a major public safety issue in San Joaquin County. The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act fills vacant roles by bringing experienced officers out of retirement and back to local departments for civilian and support roles.

“Police departments are short-staffed, and it’s putting our families at risk,” said Rep. Harder. “One common-sense solution is to bring retired officers back into civilian roles - so our active-duty officers can stay focused on patrolling neighborhoods and responding to emergencies. Retired officers have decades of experience that can support critical work like investigations, training, and analysis. This bipartisan bill makes sure local law enforcement has the resources and flexibility they need to keep Valley families safe.”

“Staffing shortages mean fewer patrols and slower response times across Iowa,” said Rep. Nunn. “This bipartisan bill is a commonsense way to strengthen public safety and back the blue by putting decades of experience from retired officers to work in civilian roles. It helps departments focus their active-duty officers on front-line duties without lowering standards or stretching teams too thin.”

The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of the Police. Companion legislation is being led in the Senate by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

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