Weekly Update & AnalysisThe Brooks Bawden Moore Weekly Update and Analysis highlights the previous week's floor and committee activities with the US Senate and House of Representatives, and this week's congressional activities that relate to law enforcement and homeland security matters. The weekly update also lists legislation introduced which may be of interest to the law enforcement and homeland security communities. Please let us know if you would like to know more about any of the items
described in the update. Additionally, please feel free to distribute this product as you see fit. |
Week in Recap This week, Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL) hosted leading national law enforcement association representatives for a Capitol Hill briefing on the critical importance of data in today's law enforcement investigations. Presenting to an audience of over 70 congressional offices,
expert investigators shared specific case examples to demonstrate on how they rely on data, including publicly and commercially available data, and analytical tools to quickly find investigative leads, exonerate suspects, and solve cases. This occurred as the House works to advance comprehensive consumer privacy legislation and is looking at ways to balance privacy and data security with public safety and crime victim concerns.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee
on Health held a field hearing in Gettysburg, PA this morning to review implementation of the SUPPORT ACT (The Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act). The goal of this legislation was to increase prevention, treatment, and recovery opportunities for individuals suffering from substance use and opioid use disorder. Many of the SUPPORT Act provisions are set to expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2023. Since the bill was passed
into law in 2018, overdose deaths have skyrocketed. The committee is working to identify gaps in the treatment and recovery landscape as it considers reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act. The Major County Sheriffs of America, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the National Sheriffs Association, and the National Association of Counties joined forces on a letter to the committee this week urging support for two bipartisan, bicameral bills that would minimize the impact of the “Medicaid
Inmate Exclusion Policy” – the Due Process Continuity of Care Act and the Reentry Act. |
Hearings This Week- House Homeland Security
Committee
- House Oversight and Accountability Committee
- House Judiciary Committee
- House Energy and Commerce Committee
Hearings Next Week- House Homeland Security Committee
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- House Judiciary Committee
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- S.
1912
- Sponsor: Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
- Summary: This bill would require congressional approval on national emergency declarations.
- S.1909
- Sponsor: Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
- Summary: This bill aims to prohibit certain modifications of firearms.
- S.1907
- Sponsor: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
- Summary: This bill would enhance penalties for theft of a firearm from a Federal firearms licensee.
- S.1897
- Sponsor: Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
- Summary: This bill would provide for enhanced capabilities for outbound inspections at the southern land border.
- S.1893
- Sponsor: Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
- Summary: This bill would establish a Federal Advisory Council to Support Victims of Gun Violence.
- S.1886
- Sponsor: Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
- Summary: This bill would establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Best Practices for
Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based organizations and Houses of Worship at the Department of Homeland Security.
- S.1875
- Sponsor: Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA)
- Summary: This bill would prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting certain information to the Department of Justice for use by the national instant criminal background check system.
- H.R. 3292-Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
- Sponsor: Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH-10)
- Summary: This bill would authorize intelligence agencies and programs.
- S.1865
- Sponsor: Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)
- Summary: This bill would direct agencies to be transparent when using automated and augmented systems to interact with the public or make
critical decisions.
- S. 1857
- Sponsor: Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)
- Summary: This bill would statutorily establish
Operation Stonegarden, through which eligible law enforcement agencies will be awarded grants for border security enhancement.
- H.R. 3868
- Sponsor: Rep. Joe Neguse
(D-CO-2)
- Summary: This bill would direct the Attorney General to include a data field in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System to indicate whether the last known location of a missing person was confirmed or was suspected to have been on Federal land.
- H.R. 3860
- Sponsor: Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH-2)
- Summary: This bill would amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to provide a consistent standard of health care to
incarcerated individuals.
- S. 1835
- Sponsor: Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)
- Summary: This bill would require the Cybersecurity
and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security to develop a campaign program to raise awareness regarding the importance of cybersecurity in the United States.
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Community and Client News
Leading National Law Enforcement Associations Host Congressional Briefing Criminal Investigations 101: The Importance of Data in Today's Law Enforcement Investigations This was an important session for policymakers, staff and stakeholders focused on policing, community trust in law enforcement, data privacy, and data security. Expert investigators shared specific case examples to demonstrate on how they rely on data, including publicly and commercially available data, and analytical tools to
quickly find investigative leads, exonerate suspect, and solve cases. The Panelists included the following
people: - Moderator: Major Christian Quinn (ret.), Fairfax County Police Department
- Chief Joe Chacon, Austin Police Department
- Lt. Colonel Joseph Brennan, New Jersey State Police
- Captain Ron Hopper, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
- Kevin Branzetti, National Child Protection Task
Force
Closing Remarks were provided by Rep. John Rutherford
Justice Department Honors Law Enforcement Officers
in Sixth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the
recipients of the Sixth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing, recognizing the exceptional work of 19 law enforcement officers and deputies from 15 jurisdictions across the country. The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and Tribal sworn rank-and-file officers, deputies, and troopers for exceptional efforts in community policing. The awarded individuals have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations, or innovations in community policing. This year, the Department received nominations for almost
200 individual officers, deputies, and troopers. Nominations came from 49 states, representing state, local, campus, sheriff, and other agency types. “Every day, law enforcement officers across the country are asked to respond to some of the most difficult, most dangerous, and most traumatic moments that our communities face,” said Attorney General Garland. “Today’s awardees exemplify the very best of the noble profession of policing.” The work being honored this year ranges from individuals who created and run creative programs geared to marginalized youth and senior citizens; officers whose diligent and dedicated efforts solved cold cases after many years; and law enforcement who peacefully resolved situations that could have resulted in great harm to others, were it not for
their heroic efforts. The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing is made possible through the Department’s work
with national law enforcement stakeholder groups, who play a vital role in the review process. The various components throughout the Department also play a critical role, providing the review process with a depth of knowledge and experience that is inherent across the Department. The result is this annual awards program, which allows the Department to highlight a group of officers whose commitment to their communities is obvious through their exceptional efforts. A list of award winners can be found here. Complete information on the Sixth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing can be found here.
Tester, Hoeven Roll Out Bipartisan Bill to Boost Critical Resources for Law Enforcement to Combat Drug Trafficking Senators’ Assisting Narcotics and Trafficking Officers in Interdicting (ANTI) Drugs Act would help combat drug trafficking, secure the border
(U.S. Senate) – As part of their continued efforts to support law enforcement officers and keep communities safe, U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) today introduced their bipartisan Assisting Narcotics and Trafficking Officers in Interdicting (ANTI) Drugs Act to support law enforcement efforts to combat the drug epidemic and boost border security. The Senators’ bipartisan legislation would increase resources for three programs – High Intensity Drug Task Forces (HIDTA), Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and Operation Stonegarden – that law
enforcement rely on to keep communities safe. The bill also includes new language to cut red tape and ensure that smaller law enforcement agencies and those in rural communities have access to COPS grants. “Keeping Montana’s communities safe is one of my top priorities, which is why I’ll always fight to ensure our brave men and women in law enforcement, including those in smaller departments and rural communities, have the resources they need to get their challenging jobs done safely and effectively,” said Tester. “That’s why I’m proud to team up with Senator Hoeven on this bipartisan bill to give law enforcement better tools to crack down on the flow of dangerous drugs like fentanyl coming into our state, secure our borders, and protect Montana families.” “This legislation reauthorizes and strengthens three important programs that empower law enforcement at all levels of government to better combat the smuggling and sale of illegal drugs,” said Hoeven. “Doing so will help stop the flow of dangerous
drugs across the border and into local communities, improving public safety across the country.” “Police departments across Montana work hand-in-hand with HIDTA taskforces and utilize Operations Stonegarden and COPS funding to support their mission of keeping our communities safe,” said Allen Fulton, Sheriff of Rosebud County and President of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. “These programs are critical resources that help Montana law enforcement officers keep fentanyl and other dangerous drugs off our streets
and secure the northern border. MSPOA thanks Senators Tester and Hoeven for supporting these important programs, making them work better for rural and small departments, and ensuring that all our officers and departments have the tools they need to keep Montana safe.” “The scourge of narcotics throughout our communities in the western United States remains a constant reminder of the need to enhance law enforcement’s ability to interdict the movement of drugs,” said Sherriff Corey Helton,
President of the Western States Sheriffs’ Association. “On behalf of our membership, we provide our full support of the ANTI Drugs Act. As an organization that supports over 1,100 Sheriffs in 18 western states, we believe the passage of this bill stands to support the efforts of our membership and improve the safety of our communities.” “The HIDTA taskforces, Operation Stonegarden, and COPS play a critical role in supporting law
enforcement officers in their fight against drug trafficking and efforts to keep our communities safe,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police. “We must support our brave Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement officers across the country and give them the tools and resources they need to do their job. We
look forward to continuing to work with Senators Tester and Hoeven to increase funding for these important law enforcement programs.” “America’s narcotic officers put their lives on the line every day to stand between predatory cartels and their victims,” said Eric Brown, President of the National Narcotic Officers Associations’ Coalition. “The NNOAC thanks Senator Tester and Senator Hoeven for recognizing the critical importance of providing law enforcement agencies with more resources to combat the deadly surge of illegal
narcotics.” The ANTI Drugs Act would provide enhanced support for three critical
law enforcement programs: High
Intensity Drug Task Forces (HIDTA) – $400 million - HIDTA grants fund regional task forces made up of members from local, state, Tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies that combat the drug epidemic in hard-hit communities. Montana is home to five regional HIDTA task forces that combat the drug epidemic in hard-hit communities— currently operating in Cascade, Flathead, Lewis and
Clark, Missoula and Yellowstone Counties. North Dakota is part of the Midwest HIDTA, with the following counties designated as HIDTA counties—Burleigh, Cass, Grand Forks, Morton, Richland, Walsh, Ward, and Williams.
Operation Stonegarden – $110 million - Operation Stonegarden provides funding to state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to enhance coordination with Customs and Border Protection
and Border Patrol to defend America’s borders.
Community Oriented Policing (COPS) – $665 million - The COPS program awards grants to state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies in an effort to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. The program also supports state law enforcement agencies in combatting the manufacturing and trafficking of meth and
opioids.
- The bill also includes new language requiring the Department of Justice to increase efforts to:
- Improve and streamline the COPS grant solicitation process to make it easier for law enforcement agencies in rural areas and with fewer than 200 officers to apply for
funding;
- Address barriers that prevent eligible law enforcement agencies in rural and underserved areas from utilizing the COPS Hiring Program to increase staffing; and
- Conduct additional outreach and provide additional technical assistance to law enforcement agencies in rural and
underserved areas.
Text of Tester and
Hoeven’s ANTI Drugs Act is available HERE. |
NIJ-Funded Research Reveals How Long Touch DNA Is Detectable Under Different Conditions Touch DNA can be essential for forensic casework, but it also comes with challenges. Low quantities of useable DNA and high variability in sample sizes left can create difficulties with collection, analysis, and interpretation. Variables such as surface type, environmental conditions, and exposure time can also adversely affect the quality of touch DNA samples.
To address these challenges, NIJ-funded researchers investigated two central questions:
1. How do surface type,
environmental condition, and exposure time affect the stability of touch DNA evidence?
2. Does the stability of touch DNA samples differ from control DNA samples?
Learn what valuable insights their research yielded to help forensics and law enforcement investigators handle touch DNA.
COPS Office Announces Nomination Period for 2023
L. Anthony Sutin Award for Innovative Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships The Department of Justice’s Office of
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) announced today that it is now accepting nominations for the 2023 L. Anthony Sutin Award for Innovative Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships. This annual award is bestowed upon a collaborative team of law enforcement and community members whose innovative partnerships have transformed public safety in their community.
The L. Anthony Sutin Award for Innovative Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships is named in memory of Tony Sutin, who served as a founder and deputy director of the COPS Office from its creation in 1994 to 1996 and was known for his commitment to service and to the community.
“True, collaborative partnerships between law enforcement and the community are at the heart of community policing,” said Hugh T. Clements, Jr., Director of the COPS Office. “When those partnerships are in place, public trust increases, which is critical for public safety. This award is an important acknowledgement of those partnerships.”
The 2023 L. Anthony Sutin Award for Innovative Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships recognizes the efforts of innovative and sustained law enforcement and community partnerships whose unique collaborations have transformed public safety in their community. Nominees are those actively engaged with the community in a multifaceted manner that has been sustained over time and has resulted in positive, observable public safety outcomes and
public trust. These partnerships identify a local problem or population in special need of intervention or improvement and approach the issue in a manner that exemplifies the philosophy and practice of community-oriented policing.
The award is given to a team of two or more individuals involved in a sustained
collaboration with a demonstrable impact on public safety and/or public trust. The collaboration may involve a single project or a pattern of transformative projects that improve public safety and build trust between law enforcement and communities.
The nomination window for the 2023 L. Anthony Sutin Award for
Innovative Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships will remain open until August 2, 2023, at 8 p.m. (ET).
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Internal NYPD documents reveal officer training on involuntary hospitalizations
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The training materials, publicly disclosed here for the first time, indicate that any uniformed member of service has
the authority to unilaterally decide someone needs to be brought involuntarily to a hospital because of the inability to care for one’s self.
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Acting ICE director Tae Johnson to step down at end of June
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The head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Tae Johnson, is leaving the agency, making him the second senior
immigration official to announce retirement plans in the past week.
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Liberal Prosecutors Are Revisiting Police Killings but Charging Few Officers So Far
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As high-profile instances of police brutality shocked the public in recent years and raised questions about official law
enforcement accounts, liberal prosecutors campaigned on the promise that they would review cases that they felt were hastily closed without charges. Their efforts to revisit old cases have won praise from the activists and liberal Democrats who voted for them.But the re-examinations so far have rarely led to criminal charges.
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Courts have long seen K-9 dogs as impartial. Now police bodycams hold them accountable
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For decades, American courts have had to take it on faith that drug-sniffing dogs were impartial. Testimony by a dog's
handler, along with training records and credentialing by a local K-9 organization, were usually enough. But the recent spread of body cameras now threatens to upend that faith.
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FBI says artificial intelligence being used for 'sextortion' and harassment
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned Americans that criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence
to create sexually explicit images to intimidate and extort victims.
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Major County Sheriffs of America Summer Conference Santa Barbara, California —Jun.12-Jun 14, 2023 | | |
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2023 National Sheriffs Association Annual Conference Grand Rapids,Michigan —Jun.26-Jun 29, 2023 | | |
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2023 Small & Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association Annual
Conference & Training Petersburg,Virginia — Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 2023 | | |
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Major Cities Chiefs Association Annual Meeting San Diego,California — Oct. `11- Oct. 14 , 2023 | | |
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Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies San Diego,California — Oct. `12- Oct. 14,2023 | | |
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International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference and
Expo San Diego, California —Oct. `12- Oct. 14,2023 | | |
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Major County Sheriffs of America Fall Conference Orlando, Florida — Sep. `18- Sep.20 ,2023 | | |
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