WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today joined 16 of her colleagues in reintroducing the Protect and Serve Act, legislation that would create federal penalties for individuals who deliberately target local, state, or federal law enforcement officers with violence.
“It’s simple: if you intentionally target law enforcement officers with violence, you should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Senator Capito said. “Those who protect and serve our communities across West Virginia and the rest of the country deserve to know we have their backs, and I’m proud to join this effort to discourage attacks on our police and support the men and women of law enforcement.”
The Protect and Serve Act, authored by U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), would support law enforcement officers by:
- Making it a federal crime to knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, serious bodily injury to a law enforcement officer. Offenders are subject to imprisonment for up to 10 years.
- Ensuring an offender could receive a life sentence if a death results from the offense, or the offense includes kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, or attempted murder.
This law would apply to federal law enforcement officers and would also apply to state and local officers in circumstances where the federal government can establish jurisdiction over the case.
The Protect and Serve Act has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, Sergeants Benevolent Association (NYPD), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Sheriffs Association, Major Cities Chiefs Association, and the Major County Sheriffs Association.
In 2020, more than 300 officers were shot in the line of duty and 47 officers were shot and killed. So far in 2021, 14 officers have been killed by others in the line of duty.