WASHINGTON—Representative Scott Franklin issued the following statement thanking the law enforcement officers of Florida’s 15th district in honor of National Police Week:
“Our law enforcement officers risk their lives on a daily basis to protect and serve our communities. Escalating attacks on police officers highlight the need to ensure tools and resources are readily available to keep our police officers safe. Tragically, 458 officers made the ultimate sacrifice and died in the line of duty last year—a 55 percent increase over 2020. While all officers know the risks associated with the job, there are still measures Congress can take to ensure officers are working in an environment where they can safely do their jobs. That’s why I co-sponsored several pieces of legislation in support of law enforcement, including:
H.R. 2314: the Protect our Police Act, which establishes an interagency working group to recommend improvements to the process through which state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies acquire equipment from the federal government.
H.R. 677: the JUSTICE Act, which addresses policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability.
H.Res. 352: Expressing the sense of the House that the dedication and devotion of law enforcement personnel should be recognized and that calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police should be condemned.
H. Res. 386: Expressing support for recognizing National Police Week.
I am particularly grateful for the efforts of our local law enforcement agencies in FL-15, including the Polk County, Lake County, and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Lakeland, Plant City, Clermont, Groveland, and Temple Terrace Police Departments. I will continue to support measures which help our officers continue to protect and serve our community.”