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Rep. Lee Announces Introduction of Bipartisan Invest to Protect Act to Make Investments in Local Police Departments

January 28, 2022

The Invest to Protect Act would provide funding for police departments to invest in recruiting, training, equipment, mental health support and other priorities

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Susie Lee announced the introduction of the bipartisan Invest to Protect Act of 2022. The bill will make critical, targeted investments in local police departments and ensure that police officers across the country have the resources and training they need to keep themselves and their communities safe. The bipartisan legislation, which Rep. Lee introduced alongside 21 Democratic and 17 Republican House members, has been officially endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs' Association, and the National Troopers Coalition.

"Local law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect us, and we owe it to them to ensure they have the resources they need to continue to protect our communities," said Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03). "The mental toll on our officers often goes unspoken and unacknowledged. But it is real. This bill funds mental health resources for police officers, helping to ensure our law enforcement officers get the support they need as they do the often stressful work to keep our neighborhoods safe. We know that officers often face circumstances that require unique responses. That's why this bill's investment in officer safety, de-escalation and domestic violence training is so important. Public safety is my top priority and I'll always fight to get our law enforcement heroes the resources they need."

"Over the last year, law enforcement officers have faced many challenges and threats to their well-being that has created a dangerous environment for those sworn to protect the public," said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police. "These challenges have ranged from violence against officers, an increase of violent rhetoric against them, lagging technology, recruitment and retention issues, and mental health concerns. Particularly, smaller municipalities have seen an increased strain on the men and women in blue as they attempt to uphold the rule of law. The ‘Invest to Protect Act' would be a step in the right direction to combat these issues that plague law enforcement officers in smaller municipalities. On behalf of the more than 364,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I am proud to offer our support for this incredibly necessary legislation."

"I wholeheartedly support the Invest to Protect Act. As a career law enforcement professional for 42 years, I believe that law enforcement agencies must be proactive in recognizing that the nation has been indelibly changed by recent events," said Adam Garcia, Vice President of Public Safety Services and Director of University Police Services Southern Command at UNLV. "More than ever, changes are needed within the police profession. The ongoing racial injustices witnessed throughout our nation must be confronted. To counter the narrative of distrust surrounding police agencies use-of-force, it is vital to bolster collaborative relationships. The Invest to Protect Act expands and expedites this mission in agencies all across Nevada and the country: it would promote and encourage training, reform, and community engagement to create change within individual agencies and the profession as a whole."

The Invest to Protect Act will provide the following federal investment to small police departments:

  1. Investments in officer safety, de-escalation, and domestic violence response training, allowing officers to receive critical training that will make them more effective at their jobs, all without putting a strain on department budgets or reducing the number of officers on duty while others are at training by allowing investment to be used to offset overtime pay.
  2. Investment for body worn cameras — to hold everyone accountable — while also providing much-needed resources for data storage and data security.
  3. Investment for small departments to recruit new officers — helping expand departments and bringing in new, good officers. This investment can also be used by departments to provide retention bonuses to help keep their existing officers and provide investment for officers pursuing graduate degrees in public health, social work, and mental health.
  4. Investment for departments to provide mental health resources for their officers.


The full bill text of the Invest to Protect Act can be found here.


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