Attacks on law enforcement officers are at a 10-year high as police staffing declines, according to a May 15 congressional hearing.
Lawmakers questioned ambassadors for law enforcement groups at a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee during National Police Week. The witnesses included Gregory Mays, deputy commissioner of Homeland Security for the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security; Michael Bullock, president of the Austin Police Association in Texas; and Michael Chapman, sheriff of Loudoun County, Virginia.
While discussing the challenges faced by law enforcement, the witnesses were asked if they believed law enforcement officers were safer on the job today than they were three years ago. All witnesses unanimously responded that they did not believe officers were safer, highlighting a trend in attacks against law enforcement personnel.
“Attacks on law enforcement are at a 10-year high,” stated Mr. Mays, emphasizing the increased risks faced by officers daily. Mr. Bullock and Mr. Chapman echoed this sentiment, sharing their concern for law enforcement and underscoring the urgency for enhanced measures to protect those serving on the front lines.
Mr. Mays’ comments were consistent with a study released by the FBI on May 14, which showed that in 2023, more than 79,000 attacks on officers were reported.
By analyzing data from federal, state, local, and other agencies throughout the United States, the report identifies patterns of violence against law enforcement. It indicates that an increasing number of officers are being assaulted and injured by people using firearms.
The 466 firearm-related assaults reported by agencies in 2023 are the highest number in a decade, according to FBI officials. In 2014, fewer than 200 officers were accosted and injured by people using firearms.
More Criminal Acts Against Police
FBI officials stated that while these figures have decreased over the past three years, more officer killings were the result of criminal acts during that time period than during any other three-year period in the past two decades.According to the report, those slain between 2014 and 2023 had an average of 12 years of experience as a sworn officer.
Between 2019 and 2023, over 230 officers were reportedly killed by accident in the course of duty. Fifty-seven percent of those officers died in motor vehicle accidents, while an additional 30 percent were struck by a vehicle.
Additionally, according to Mr. Bullock, there is a decrease in funding for officers and even staffing cuts taking place in some cities, such as Austin, Texas. He said the Austin Police Department has seen a 30 percent decrease in staffing since 2020.
Several lawmakers from both chambers of Congress have moved to bring attention to National Police Week, offering thanks to the officers working within their communities. Among them was Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).
The Alabama senator joined his fellow Republicans in introducing a resolution to declare May 12–18, 2024, National Police Week and paid tribute to the 222 officers killed in the line of duty in the previous year.
“America’s brave men and women in blue wake up every day prepared to sacrifice their own safety in service to fellow Americans they may not even know,” said Mr. Tuberville in a news release.
“Police officers are the first line of defense for Alabamians and families across the country. Yet today, Democrats have turned our police into national punching bags,” he said. “Democrats’ attacks on our police are absolutely repugnant and must be condemned by every American, especially those in public office. Police are some of the best people in this country. Now, more than ever, they deserve our gratitude and support.”
