LAS VEGAS, NV – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) penned an op-ed in the Las Vegas Sun to kick off National Police Week and recognize the courageous work Nevada law enforcement officers do to protect our communities. She also highlighted the work she is doing across party lines to help law enforcement agencies hire and retain more officers, and deliver federal funds to support officers’ needs – from mental health resources to state-of-the-art equipment.
Las Vegas Sun: Police officers deserve our support
By Jacky Rosen
Key Points:
- This week is National Police Week, a dedicated time for our nation to recognize and honor the courageous work officers do to protect our communities.
- For a state that is home to world-class destinations and that welcomes visitors from around the globe, the members of Nevada’s law enforcement community are critical.
- When Las Vegas went through one of its darkest moments, experiencing the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, it was local police and first responders who ran toward danger to save lives. The officers who responded to the call and put their lives on the line did so without thinking twice, because that is what they are trained to do.
- As I’ve met with law enforcement across Nevada, they’ve consistently told me one of the biggest challenges they’re facing is the dire shortage of officers and support staff.
- That’s why I’m doing everything I can in the Senate to support Nevada’s law enforcement agencies as they work to hire and retain more officers. I signed on to the bipartisan Recruit and Retain Act to establish a federal pipeline between local departments and schools to help facilitate recruitment activities and encourage young people to enter these careers. This bill, which passed the Senate last year, would also help cover some of the costs associated with recruitment and onboarding, making it easier to bring on new officers.
- Responding to some of the most dangerous and demanding emergencies imaginable can lead to increased stress. That’s why I’ve been working across the aisle to pass my bipartisan legislation that will help determine the best practices for identifying and treating mental health challenges among first responders, including police.
- It’s also why I secured millions of dollars in funding for programs to support mental wellness initiatives in local police departments. We owe it to our law enforcement community to always provide them with the resources they need and deserve.
- I’ve been proud to have delivered tens of millions of dollars for Nevada police departments. From funding more emergency vehicles and equipment to helping build Metro’s officer training facility, these federal dollars are coming to Nevada for a variety of critical projects for our police.
- As long as I’m representing our great state in the Senate, I’ll always work across party lines to deliver for Nevada’s law enforcement.
- This National Police Week — and every week — I join Nevadans in thanking our police for what they do each and every day.
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