AG Steve Marshall throws support behind Alabama law enforcement
In the midst of civil unrest and protests against law enforcement officers nationwide, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is stepping up and voicing his support for law enforcement in their efforts to protect the public from violence spurred by anarchists attempting to hijack peaceful protests. Marshall’s comments follow Wednesday news reports that the Huntsville Police Department used tear gas that evening to disperse a crowd of protesters. Given the infrequency with which this tool is employed, Marshall believed it was his duty to examine what necessitated its use. “The appropriateness of police actions must always be judged by the circumstances in which they occur,” explained Marshall. “After talking with the Huntsville Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, I am well-satisfied that the actions taken by police were reasonable under the circumstances.” He concluded, “Alabama is fortunate in that most protests taking place in recent days have been conducted peacefully. At the same time, over the last 10 days—and even as we speak—law enforcement intelligence from around our state indicates the intent of some to infiltrate protests with violence, property damage, and targeting of law enforcement officers.” The AG’s office was quick to remind those taking actions against law enforcement that the Yellowhammer State has a zero-tolerance for aggressive acts against law enforcement, and that taking the life of a law enforcement officer carries the penalty of death in the state. Further, attempting to take the life of a law enforcement officer will guarantee prolonged incarceration of up to 99 years.
Steve Marshall: The high price of protecting the public
Barely three weeks into the New Year – a time that is supposed to be full of optimism for the future – Alabama has already reached a somber milestone. Our state is tied with Texas for the highest number of law enforcement line-of-duty deaths in the country for 2019. Two Sundays in a row, major cities of our state suffered the sudden loss of a beloved police officer. Each officer was performing his sworn duty to protect the public and uphold the law when he was fatally struck down by gunfire. Both faced danger without hesitation and both acted with courage and commitment, just as they had been trained. And each gave his life. The daily actions of our law enforcement personnel in the performance of their duties may seem routine work to the public, but they only see the outside. Behind the badge, polished shoes and friendly smile, stands a person dedicated to protecting the lives of Alabamians, even if their job places them directly in harm’s way. While there are other occupations that can be hazardous to a worker, few demand that a person enter the unknown on a daily basis to face potential personal injury and even death. Why would anyone want to take on such a job? To those who train and take an oath to become a law enforcement officer, it is not a job. It is a calling. They do not seek fame and fortune. They wear a badge with pride out of a special commitment to safeguard their community. And let us not forget the sacrifice of the families of law enforcement who wait up nights for their loved one’s return. They need no reminder of the too often perilous nature of the work of our men and women of law enforcement. All of us want to live in peace and safety, but how many would be willing to walk the beat of a law enforcement officer to help guarantee that safety? Birmingham Police Sergeant Wytasha Carter and Mobile Police Officer Sean Tuder did just that. At approximately 2:00 a.m., Sunday, January 13, Sergeant Carter was on the lookout for vehicle break-ins when he was notified of suspicious activity and responded along with other officers. Two persons were stopped in a parking lot and were being searched when one pulled out a gun and shot Sergeant Carter and another officer. Sergeant Carter lost his life that morning, but his 17 years’ service for the Birmingham, Leeds and Fairfield police departments and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office were celebrated by a tremendous public response. Alabama sends condolences to Sergeant Carter’s family. At approximately 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 20, Officer Tuder was attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a suspect in Mobile. During the arrest, the suspect shot and fatally wounded Officer Tuder, a three-year veteran of the Mobile Police Department who was previously honored as Officer of the Month. Prior to coming to Mobile, Officer Tuder served with the Palatka, Florida Police Department for two years. Officer Tuder’s funeral service is this Friday, and I am certain there will also be an overwhelming public turnout. His death is a painful reminder of the loss of another young Mobile police officer, Justin Billa, less than a year ago. I know I join all of Alabama in sending condolences to Officer Tuder’s family. More than 500 Alabama law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty during the last 100 years of record keeping. Each is a hero. All gave everything so their communities could be safe. There is a high price to pay for putting on the uniform of a peace officer. This month, Alabama knows as much about the sacrifice of law enforcement as any state in America. Law enforcement continues to take on more responsibility, sometimes with less manpower and funding. In addition to responding to calls of domestic violence, burglaries, armed robbery, assault, and drug trafficking-to name but a few-they also deal with homeland security concerns and the growing reach of cybercrime. As the Attorney General and chief law enforcement official for the state of Alabama, it is my honor to stand with our law enforcement as they stand on a daily basis between order and chaos. We cannot thank law enforcement enough for what they do for us, and we will never forget their sacrifice. ••• Steve Marshall is the Attorney General of Alabama.
Jeff Session tells law enforcement: ‘We have your back’
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday praised President Donald Trump as a “law and order” president and told a gathering of law enforcement officials that they have support from the White House and the Justice Department. In a visit to his home state of Alabama to speak at the department’s National Public Safety Partnership Symposium, Sessions praised the program’s partnership between the federal government and communities to help fight violent crime. “Each one of you can be certain about this: we have your back and you have our thanks,” Sessions said. Sessions touted the efforts of the Justice Department to fight violent crime and “back the blue.” He said Trump took office with a mission to restore public safety, and said it is a switch from those that “saw police as the problem in America.” “Make no mistake about it President Trump is a law and order president,” Sessions said. Sessions said new FBI crime statistics being released Monday will show that violent crime and murder declined in 2017. The former Alabama senator spent the weekend in his home state. He did not mention Trump’s recent criticism of him for recusing himself from the Russia investigation or the controversy surrounding Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and reports that Rosenstein might have suggested secretly recording Trump. Sessions joked that he appreciated the warm welcome after receiving loud applause as he walked on stage at the law enforcement gathering. “It’ll make my day. … Who knows? I may need this today. Going back to Washington you never know what is going to happen next in the capital city that’s for sure.” Sessions announced new grants for ballistic technology and improved investigative practices through Crime Gun Intelligence Centers for Indianapolis, Memphis, Baton Rouge and Tulsa. He also announced grants for technology improvements for Houston, Memphis and Toledo. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Baldwin County placing police in all schools
One of Alabama’s most populous counties has a plan to put armed police officers in each of its public schools. Officials in coastal Baldwin County say agencies are partnering to provide permanent school resource officers at each of its 46 campuses beginning this August. Currently, only some county schools have officers on duty constantly. Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack says Baldwin already has 30 school resource officers, meaning 16 more are needed. The sheriff’s office and city police departments will have to fill those positions. Officials haven’t provided details on how all the new jobs will be funded, but they say new taxes aren’t needed. School board members will consider the plan during a meeting Thursday. Baldwin County has more than 200,000 residents, and it’s located across Mobile Bay from Mobile. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Bradley Byrne: Appreciation for law enforcement
Each day, law enforcement officers leave the safety of their homes not knowing if they will pass back through their own front doors at the end of the work day. They leave their families behind to ensure the safety of our loved ones at schools, in neighborhoods, and on the roadways. There is never enough we can do to show our appreciation for their work. These men and women often go far beyond their official job descriptions. Even when they are not wearing the uniform, law enforcement officers play a significant role in our neighborhoods, schools, and churches. They even serve as positive role models for our children. I have had the chance to ride along with some of our local law enforcement officers and witness firsthand the challenges they face on the job. Law enforcement officers encounter dangers on the job that do not exist in other professions. It shocked me to realize that even a task as routine as a traffic stop can turn hostile, and in some cases, even deadly. That is why each year we celebrate National Police Week, which gives us an opportunity to reflect on the hard and dangerous work our nation’s law enforcement officers do daily. Police Week attracts people from across the country to our nation’s capital for memorial services, parades, and vigils in honor of our men and women in blue. Police Week also serves as a time to pay our respects as a nation to those whose end of watch came too soon. I recognized National Police Week by speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives to honor these brave men and women and remember the life of one of our very own who was killed in the line of duty just four months ago. Mobile Police Officer Justin Billa paid the ultimate sacrifice after being shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call on February 20th, 2018. In such a time of immense grief, we saw our community rally together to support the family and friends of fallen Officer Billa. The impact of his death was felt throughout the United States, as officers and first responders from across the country traveled to Mobile to pay their respects. To remember our fallen heroes and honor all of those in law enforcement, the House of Representatives passed several pro-law enforcement bills last week. The Protect and Serve Act of 2018 toughens federal penalties against people who intentionally target law enforcement officers in attacks, including ambushes. Additionally, we passed the Justice Served Act of 2018, which provides funds to prosecute cold cases that are solved by breakthrough DNA evidence, including backlogged rape kits. This bill will strengthen our criminal justice system by making sure that newly-tested evidence is used to prosecute unsolved cases, thus ensuring violent criminals are brought to justice. From legislation to prevent attacks on our officers to providing funding for additional resources, we are working to ensure these dedicated individuals have the tools they need to do their jobs and keep us safe. Let us not forget that we sleep soundly at night due to the sacrifices our law enforcement officers make out on the streets. We owe these individuals far more than our thanks for the services they provide. I ask you to join me in showing your appreciation for the law enforcement officers in Southwest Alabama for living a life of service. May we honor them each and every day. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Law enforcement officer suggests Sue Bell Cobb apologize, ask for forgiveness
The chief deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is asking former Alabama Chief Justice and Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Sue Bell Cobb for an apology. Randy Christian, chief deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, said Cobb should apologize in the wake of her hiring and defending a campaign staffer, Paul Littlejohn III who was arrested Friday for violating the state’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). “He was doing his job, plain and simple, and doing it well,” Christian said in a statement to AL.com. “How sad that a candidate for governor supports a convicted sex offender over sexual assault victims.” “She also apparently doesn’t support law enforcement doing the difficult job of ensuring through compliance of the sex offender registration law that no other victim comes in harm’s way. That is the sole reason for the law’s creation,” Christian continued. “It’s not just shameful, it’s disgusting desperation on her part. If I’m reading this right, she wanted us to just look the other way. If she has any integrity left, she will apologize to law enforcement, sexual assault victims and ask for forgiveness.” Littlejohn, is a former inmate at the Draper Correctional Facility in Elmore County where he spent 30 years following his 1984 conviction for three crimes: rape by forcible compulsion, sodomy I and robbery I. Court records indicate Littlejohn was convicted of raping a 20 year old female and sodomizing a 30 year old female. On Wednesday the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department was notified he was in violation of SORNA as he was working as a pastor at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, which also runs a daycare and is near a school. As a registered sex offender, Littlejohn is prohibited from both living and working near an elementary school or daycare. Littlejohn failed to disclose this information to the sex offender registry. Violation of SORNA is considered a felony. Even after Littlejohn’s arrest, Cobb continued to defend him calling the arrest “politically motivated.” Cobb says the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is led by a Republican, and that the arrest was made because Republicans don’t want to face her in the general election.
How the media, BLM activists are pushing false narrative of Chikesia Clemons arrest and why we shouldn’t let them
Law enforcement officers haves a tough jobs these days. Just last week two deputies in Florida were ambushed, shot and killed while simply having a meal together. While the Sunshine State, and the nation, mourns their unnecessary deaths, we also need to stop and recognize the danger our law enforcement faces these days extends beyond just that of violence. It’s also the threat of mistruths and outright lies by those who would discredit the career field as a whole. This week Alabama has found itself in the spotlight for an incident at a Waffle House where an edited portion of a video taken of Chikesia Clemons being arrested went viral. Quickly Black Lives Matter, and others, took to social media to scream that the arrested woman was mistreated. The woman’s mother and friends are also pushing their own false narrative of the situation to anyone who will listen. A full copy of the video of the incident made available to press later showed Clemons and friends being asked to leave multiple times. Her version, and that of her friend who released the edited tape, of events are completely different than those from multiple witnesses including other black women, and women in the restaurant. A full report indicates that witnesses, who included six employees and one customer, told police that the two women were loud and used profanities toward employees. The fact remains that Clemons isn’t a victim of anything but her own bad behavior and poor decisions. Al.Com reported according to the video and witnesses, these were the words of the woman Black Lives Matters and others are wrongly trying to call a “victim”: “I’ll come over this counter and beat your f**king ass, bitch I’m gonna have your job, you ain’t gonna be here tomorrow.” This is according to witness statements read by Det. Mims Another witness said that one of the two women said they could come back to the store and “shoot this place up if I need to.” So to be clear: A drunk woman walks into a restaurant holding alcohol, is told she can’t have it and asked to leave. She leaves, then returns shouting and threatening people. At one point on the video she is seen standing on a chair while screaming. She called the restaurant obscene employees names. She threatened to shoot them. Officers come in and ask her to leave and she refuse. Then, on video, she resists arrest and when the officer warns her that her resisting could lead to her breaking her arm she’s a victim? Only if you live in a world where you have no idea what victimhood actually is or looks like, is Clemons an actual “victim”. Yes, her dress came down. That’s not the police officers’ fault. Had she not resisted arrest, it wouldn’t have happened. The officers ask her friend to fix it as soon as they have the situation under control. Wardrobe malfunctions can be a terrible side effect of a lawful arrest. In the future maybe the woman shouldn’t have behaved the way she did to warrant an arrest, or perhaps she shouldn’t have rolled around and tried to stop the officers from cuffing her — then she wouldn’t have had to worry about the wardrobe problems. Just a thought on the complaints about her dress coming down. Facts don’t matter to some (read in this case: many) these days. The woman has already raised over $12,000 on a GoFund me page that inaccurately sums up the incident. That’s $12,000 that could go to so many kids and causes that need it, but instead it will go to a woman whose violent tirade has gone viral with a misinformation campaign aimed at discrediting cops who were simply doing their job. One author on The Cut asks, “Who will stand up for Chikesa Clemons?” The author starts out saying, “While watching the video of 25-year-old Chikesia Clemons at a Waffle House in Saraland, Alabama, I realized Chikesia could have easily been me, my friends, or my cousins.” Well Brittney Packnett if you and your cousins trespass, threaten violence and resist arrest, then yes, this too could happen to you. Because those are the reasons this happened to Clemons. Not her race. Her actions. Period. An important fact to keep in mind is this incident happened the same day — Sunday morning — as the shooting at a Waffle House in Tennessee that killed four. So here we have a drunk woman saying she could come back and shoot up the place and officers and employees were suppose to do what? Just ignore her? That sounds ridiculous. We are living in time in which law enforcement officers have to worry about being called racist or sexist, just because they are doing their jobs. Sometimes the facts reveal actual bias was an issue. Sometimes the facts show that the cops did the right thing. How anyone can look at Clemons’ video, read the witness testimony, and still see this as anything but another drunk person arrested for their own dumb choices is beyond me. But to the cops who are getting very little support I say, the facts are on your side. Stay safe men (and women) in blue. Thank you for all you do.
David Steward: Trooper shortage is a matter of life and death
Between late 2010 and the end of 2014, the state of Alabama did not hire a single state trooper. Despite this freeze, we still had over 400 state troopers. Now we have less than 300. That leaves us over 700 men and women short of the number that we need (1,000) according to the Center for Advanced Public Safety at the University of Alabama. In fact, since that hiring freeze, trooper levels have dipped 22% further. The year before the freeze there were 333 fatal accidents on Alabama roads. Last year there were 848. That’s a 155% increase in roadway fatalities. After spending the last 21 years as a state trooper, I can assure you there’s a clear correlation between those numbers. There is no question that more troopers on the road deter accidents and saves lives. Response times can be measured in hours, not minutes in rural counties. Many times troopers are handling multiple counties, covering hundreds of miles. Ideally backup is a few minutes away, but at current levels, it could be 45 minutes or more. We’ve reached a point in staffing where it’s no longer just a safety concern for the people we serve, it’s a safety concern for our officers. The force continues to grow older with a shrinking applicant pool to replace them. Many in our current force are eligible for retirement or will be soon. Without the ability to offer competitive salaries and benefits, those pools will continue to shrink. It’s not just a manpower shortage, resources are scarce as well. Troopers head out onto the highways in cruisers that are past their useful life, with equipment that needs to be replaced. Safety concerns are exponentially compounded when you’re understaffed and under-equipped. Alabama doesn’t have unlimited funds, but the state is in a very different economic situation than we were in 2010. The unemployment rate has hit record lows, the economy is growing, and the state budgets are in better shape than they’ve ever been. One of the primary functions of Government is protecting its citizenry and that begins with a properly funded state police unit. This notion was borne out in a recent survey of Alabamians. 75% of respondents believe a lack of Troopers is leading to unsafe roadways. 75% also think Troopers should receive more funding, even if it means making other cuts in the budget. The decision to serve the people of this state was an easy one, but the job can be anything but. Our current funding level makes it nearly untenable. Alabama has a long history of unwavering support of our first responders. Please encourage your lawmakers to continue that tradition. ••• David Steward is the President of the Alabama State Trooper Association.
Time for change: Alabama allows cops to have sex with those in custody?
A national story is gaining momentum and turning the looking glass at law enforcement officers nationwide who claim to have consensual sex with those in their custody. According to the story, Alabama is one of 35 states in the nation that have no laws against law enforcement officials having sex with someone in their custody and calling it consensual, even if the victim says it it rape. Alabama has a slough of law enforcement rape cases, even one within the past few weeks. Although most cases end with officers serving a short amount of time or being suspended for their crimes, most believe these punishments to be fairly moderate for the crime that was committed. A report by Buffalo News shows that more than 700 law enforcement officers have been accused of sexual misconduct. It’s a loophole most people don’t consider, and one that some believe should be closed. “Cultural shifts happen, but what we need to see is a policy shift,” Tara Burns, an advocate in Alaska who has worked to expand police sexual assault laws told Buzzfeed. “There’s a long entrenched history of institutionalized rape culture that has to change.” Although some officers do receive punishment for their actions from the law enforcement agencies themselves, they are often moderate. For example, in December of 2017 two police officers working for the Southside Police Department were charged with two counts of rape, each; and one was charged with two counts of sodomy. Following their arrest and indictment they were placed on leave, with pay. In January a Mobile, Ala. police officer was charged with raping a woman in his city-issued narcotics vehicle; no criminal charges have been filed against the officer. According to the Mobile Police Department “appropriate administrative action was taken” against the officer, but it is still unclear as to wether or not he is still on duty. “Of at least 158 law enforcement officers charged since 2006 with sexual assault, sexual battery, or unlawful sexual contact with somebody under their control, at least 26 have been acquitted or had charges dropped based on the consent defense. In most of the states that do not explicitly outlaw sex between on-duty cops and detainees,” such as Alabama, “an officer can claim consent and face only a misdemeanor “official misconduct” charge, which carries a maximum one-year sentence.” Amid all of the sexual assault allegations being exposed over the past few months, you would think everyone, especially law enforcement officials, would understand that women are no longer staying silent over these issues. Stories like this should make us stop and think; just because we hold the men in uniform to a higher standard than most, does that make them above the law? What do you think? Should Alabama consider changing this loophole?
Kay Ivey awards over $400,000 to law enforcement agencies across state
Gov. Kay Ivey has granted over $400,000 to fifteen different law enforcement agencies across the state. The funds will be used to purchase new gear and increase safety in their individual districts. “The brave men and women of our law enforcement agencies put their lives on the line each and every day to serve and protect their communities,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to help them obtain the needed equipment to enable them to do their jobs effectively and safely.” The funds are available through the U.S. Department of Justice, and will be administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), which administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development. The individual counties and districts and how they will use the grants are as follows: West Alabama: Hale, Sumter and Marengo counties will use grants to obtain new patrol vehicles Greene County Sheriff’s Department will invest in radios, bullet-proof vests and related equipment Eutaw Police Department will purchase vehicle radar systems and a live-scan fingerprint system The Demopolis Police Department aims to use funds for a new generator, assorted office equipment, electronic stun devices East Alabama: Valley plans to use funds to purchase laptop computers Lanett will use grant to acquire laptop computers, body cameras and electric stun guns Alexander City will purchase a utility task vehicle and traffic equipment Dadeville will invest in an off-road vehicle and body cameras Sylacauga plans on purchasing 30 stun guns and accessories for their police department Northeast Alabama: Cherokee County Commission will purchase a new vehicle for the Sheriff’s Office Jackson County Commission for the Sheriff’s Office will purchase tasers, body cameras, and a server to store video data The city of Arab will invest in a video system that includes in-car and body cameras for the police department The city of Guntersville will purchase 80 firearms for the police department The city of Scottsboro plans to purchase four new in-car computers for their police department Pell City will invest in a new case management system which will enable their officers to track crime reporting and to share evidence and intelligence with other law enforcement agencies Irondale plans to buy a body camera system for their officers.
Montgomery Public Safety Director Chris Murphy announces retirement
Montgomery Public Safety Directory (MPDS) Chris Murphy will retire from city service at the end of year after seven years with the city and 40 years in law enforcement. “It has been my privilege for the last seven years to serve as Mayor [Todd] Strange’s director of Public Safety for the city of Montgomery, and this is also my 40th year in front-line public safety and law enforcement work,” said Murphy. “It is time now to welcome a new season in my life and a different sort of challenge.” The Auburn University alum has served as MDPS director since October 2010. He began his career in law enforcement with the Auburn Police Department in 1978. In 1981, he took a position with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as a special agent. In 1985, he joined the U.S. Secret Service, where he worked protection for seat presidents and vice presidents spanning from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush. Upon his retirement from the Secret Service, former Ala. Gov. Bob Riley tapped Murphy to serve on his Cabinet as the director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety (ADPS). The Montgomery Department of Public Safety is the parent agency for all safety-related operations in the capital city. The department was formed in 2010, when Murphy came onboard, to streamline public safety services, increase efficiency, and better serve the public. Upon his retirement with the city, Murphy will join Merletti, Gonzales & Associates, an international security consulting firm, that was form formed by his former U.S. Secret Service colleagues. Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange plans to name Murphy’s replacement within 10 days. Murphy’s last official day of city service is Dec. 31.
Bradley Byrne: Police Week about honoring law enforcement
Last week, we celebrated National Police Week with events in the nation’s capital and in communities right here in Southwest Alabama. These ceremonies served as an opportunity to say “thank you” to those who help keep us safe. During one ceremony in front of the United States Capitol, President Donald Trump proudly proclaimed that “patriotic Americans of all backgrounds truly support and love our police.” The ceremonies and Police Week also presented a solemn opportunity to honor those who have lost their lives while serving in the line of duty. At the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, this quote from former President George H. W. Bush puts the sacrifice best: “Carved on these walls is the story of America, of a continuing quest to preserve both democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream.” In 2016, 145 officers were killed in the line of duty, including Correctional Officer Kenneth Bettis who was attacked by an inmate at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. Already in 2017, 50 more officers have lost their life in the line of duty. These numbers are heartbreaking. In addition to honoring our law enforcement officers, we also took time to reflect on the sacrifice of the families of police officers and first responders. These families must overcome long hours, late nights, and constant fear as their loved one works to protect us. In Congress, we used Police Week as an opportunity to pass a number of bills important to our nation’s law enforcement officers. I want to highlight a few of them. First, we passed the Thin Blue Line Act. This bill would amend the federal criminal code to include the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer or first responder as an aggravating factor in federal death penalty decisions. Those who target and kill our law enforcement officers should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. We also passed the Probation Officer Protection Act, another pro-police bill that would authorize probation officers to arrest hostile third parties who harm them or obstruct them from doing their job. This commonsense bill will help keep probation officers safe and free up time for our law enforcement officers to focus on other priorities. Third, we passed the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act by a vote of 411 to 1. This bill simply permits the American flag to be flown at half-staff when a local police officer, firefighter, or first responder is killed in the line of duty. This will be just a small token of appreciation on behalf of a grateful nation. Of particular importance to Alabama, the House passed the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act. The bill formally authorizes the National Computer Forensics Institute, which is located in Hoover, Alabama. This program helps train state and local law enforcement regarding cyber and electronic crimes. Finally, we passed the American Law Enforcement Heroes Act. Many of our nation’s veterans go on to serve as police officers, and this bill would prioritize the hiring of veterans under the federal COPS Hiring program. These are just five examples of our efforts in Congress to crack down on crime and support our nation’s police officers. Never forget that we get to lay our heads down on our pillow at night feeling safe because there are men and women out there patrolling the streets. So, the next time you lay down for bed, be sure to say a special prayer for all our law enforcement officers and first responders. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
