Transcripts For CSPAN2 State 20240703

There was a moment of silence for donald payne, jr. Who died recently and who served on the committee. The committee on Homeland Security will come to order, without objection the chair may declare the committee in recess at any point. Before we have the hearing, id like to take a moment to recognize the loss of our dear friend on this committee, Congress Donald payne, jr. And his legacy, along with his fathers legacy will serve as a reminder to us all what it means to be a true public servant. I really appreciated the time that i got to work with congressman payne on the Colorectal Cancer caucus. He was a fierce fighter against that disease. I now recognize for a moment the Ranking Member, Ranking Member thompson to honor the life and legacy of representative payne. Thank you so much, mr. Chairman. This morning, we remember the life of congressman donald m. Payne, jr. Our colleague and friend. He was a union worker, a toll collector, he literally kept the buses of excess county, new jersey, running on time. He was a free holder, a new York City Council member, a city council president. He was a congressman, a statesman, a son, father, brother and a husband. With a kind heart, a closet full of bow ties and a wit as sharp has his suits, congressman payne brought people together, but also fought for what he believed in. He gave a voice to the voiceless, he never wavered, he never backed down. While we mourn the loss of our colleague and friend we know his legacy lives on. Congressman paynes legacy lives on the work he did in congress, including right here in this committee to make every child and every school in america safe. Because of congressman paynes advocacy, the department of Homeland Security today reports to congress on School Security. Because of a law he authorized, aptally named, the department of Homeland Security must plan for childrens unique needs during disasters. His legacy lives on in the heart of his wife and lives on in the Bright Futures of his children, the triplets, donald, jack, and ivan. We pray for their peace and comfort at this difficult time. Congressman payne served in washington d. C. , but his heart never left newarks southward. Every moment he spent in the halls of congress was in service to the people of newark. Congressman donald payne, jr. Leaves a legacy to be proud of. May he rest in power and rest in peace. I yield back. I asked that the members of this committee join me in observing a moment of silence to honor congressman paynes memory. [moment of silence] thank you. The purpose of our hearing today is to receive testimony from state and local Law Enforcement, officers and the hurdles that their Law Enforcement agencies face in keeping our community safe. I now recognize myself for an Opening Statement. Good morning. Were here today to honor and recognize Law Enforcement officers nationwide during National Police week. While our nation has always been grateful to our men and women in Law Enforcement, beginning in 1962, we officially began recognizing their bravery, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to Public Safety on the 15th of may. Supporting our men and women in Law Enforcement should not be reserved for one week out of the year. Our nation should be grateful every day to this unique group of men and women who risk their lives for our freedom and who serve our communities with a distinct sense of duty and honor, theres a saying that service is the rent we pay for living on our men and women who protect us daily, pay the ultimate service and for far too many the ultimate sacrifice. Last year, 136 Law Enforcement officers were tragically killed in the line of duty. This year theres been 56 and countless others injured. Just a few weeks ago, april 16th, Police Officer Michael Jenson of the Syracuse Police department and lieutenant of the countys Sheriffs Office in new york were shot and killed after attempting to find someone on a pursuit. And officer jenson served two and a half years and survived by parents and sister. The lieutenant served with the county Sheriffs Office for 16 years and survived by his wife and three children. I know for them and their colleagues, this loss is incomprehensible. In early may, four Law Enforcement officers were killed in charlotte, North Carolina, while attendanting to attempting to serve a warrant. And others injured. Task force officer stated he cannot remember another time in his 35year career when eight officers were attacked in one incident. 23rd Violent Attacks on Law Enforcement to significant increase in crime across the country, it is an understatement to say that americans no longer feel safe in their communities. We must provide reassurance for law abiding Citizens Holding lawmakers accountable and let the level of accountability serve as deterrence to others. Tough prosecutions, proper sentencing are no only examples of holding them accountable. That state and local jurisdictions will do what is necessary to protect their citizens and even more important, this action will communicate to Law Enforcement officers our appreciation and our commitment to equipping them with the resources required to fulfill their duties. Increasing crime rates and obstacles to prosecutors criminals are challenging enough, but dealing with these difficulties without adequate manpower and funding adds to the burden that Law Enforcement agencies across the nation are con fronting. Law enforcement agencies are not only grappling will new personnel, but attrition rates and reductions and these factors hinder the ability to fulfill the obligations to obstruct Police Departments nationwide for accessing the necessary resources to enhance their officer training. In so doing, they increase the risk to men and women of blue or in blue who risk all for us every day. By reducing Law Enforcement budgets, Police Departments will face the tough decision of lowering standards or being unable to fulfill their hiring requirements. This committee plays a Critical Role in overseeing the department of Homeland Security, which ensure the safety, security, and resilience. And the state and Law Enforcement agencies that combat the wide variety of criminals and terrorists. Different parts of our country have their own unique challenges when it comes to dealing with crime. Its important that we assure that dhs is supporting both metropolitan and Rural Communities as they confront these challenges. Today i hope we can example the ways that dhs supports these Law Enforcement agencies and identify new ways to improve. We should all work to assure the resources provided by dhs are assisting Law Enforcement as they work to carry out their important mission. Lastly, its crucial as a nation we gain a sense of appreciation and respect for the men and women in Law Enforcement who serve our community and who pay the ultimate sacrifice for our protection. We have a distinguished panel of witnesses to testify about the daily challenges, successes and strategies their officers encounter in dealing with various issues within their departments and community. Thank you again to our witnesses for being here this morning, and i look forward to this important discussion. Before i recognize the Ranking Member for his Opening Statement, i would like to welcome mr. Kenny from new york, congress, and to our committee. I look forward to working with you and i will say that your addition here takes us to Seven Members from new york. I think youre now 21 of this committee, so not sure what that means, but were glad to have you. And actually, you know, reflects back to the start of this committee and what really started it all. Were glad to have you. I recognize the Ranking Member the gentleman from mississippi, mr. Thompson, for his Opening Statement. That you, mr. Chairman. I want to thank our panel of witnesses here today and for their service to our country. In honor of National Police week, i want to recognize contributions of Law Enforcement and honor the brave officers who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe. Our nation is forever in their debt. Today the meeting for Congress State and local Law Enforcement. National police week is of great importance, but congressional support for Law Enforcement is about more than attending a ceremony or wearing a blue ribbon on your lapel. One week out of the year. Its about supporting Law Enforcement, not just where ceremonial words or symbolic gestures, but showing up when it counts and voting for the resources our Police Officers need every day. Its about saying no when a disgraced former president calls for defunding the fbi or certain members threaten it cut off to cut off funding dhs because of disagreements with the Biden Administration, its about keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of those for our kids, our houses of worship, our supermarkets, gathering places and police sworn to protect all of us. And its about honoring the Law Enforcement officers, the Capitol Police and metropolitan police and other defending this capitol and everyone in it on january 6th, 2021 while extreme major republicans tried to cut funding and undermine public trust in Law Enforcement, democrats are committed to providing federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial Law Enforcement with funding and support to keep our communities safe. I hope to hear from our Witnesses Today about supporting Community Policing efforts across the country and how congress can help fund these critical efforts. I also hope to hear from our witnesses about how we can encourage Police Forces to recruit more diverse candidates, including people of color and women, because Police Forces work best when they reflect the communities they serve. Again, i think the witnesses for joining us today and express my appreciation for all the men and women of Law Enforcement who serve communities across america with honor and integrity. The issuance of those words have been and will continue to be backed up by action. Before a close, mr. Chairman, i want to take a moment to welcome as you did a new member of our committee, the gentleman from new york mr. Kennedy. While we have quite a few new yorker serving on this panel, as ordered been said, mr. Kennedy is the only one that represents a district in western new york. His district is located on the use of canada border, and as multiple international crossings, including peace bridge. I know he will be actively engaged on northern border issues, and we welcome it. Mr. Kennedy also recently chaired the new York State Senate Transportation Committee which will be invaluable to his service on this committees transportation and maritime subcommittee. We welcome him and we wish you well. With that, mr. Chairman, i yield back. Take user. Other members of the committee reminded Opening Statements may be submitted for the record. I please have an Important Panel of witnesses before today and ask our witnesses please rise in race their right hand. [witnesses were sworn in] but the rug refloat the witnesses offensive in the affirmative. Thank you. Be seated. I like to know formally introduce our witnesses. The honorable gregory mays serves as Deputy Commissioner of Homeland Security for the Tennessee Department of safety and Homeland Security. Prior to his appointment he had distinguished group with the United States secret Service Serving in a variety of roles that spent 25 year career. Hell to vouchers degree from Auburn University where he received his commission as an officer in the United States navy to the navy yard program. Following naval flight officer training he was assigned to patrol squadron five where he was designated to patrol command and depleted whimsically numerous missions in support of operation desert storm. Sheriff mike chapman was elected Loudoun County, virginia, in 2011 and was reelected to his fourth term in 2023. He directs the largest fullservice Sheriffs Office in commonwealth of virginia and was approximate 720 deputies and 200 civilian personnel and serves a violation of 447,000 and in every of 519 square miles. Sheriff chapman is believe investing proactive and successful Law Enforcement and Community Engagement programs. During his tenure in major crime decreased 37 , greater production of intersection in the washington metropolitan area. He has also successfully led efforts in addressing the herald and the most dental problems and impacted Loudoun County. Mr. Michael bullock only serve as a present of the Austin Police association. During his time as president he has worked to address the recruiting and retention problems that affected the Austin Police report. President bullock a six year veteran of the office of the austin Police Department. Mr. Rodney bryant serves as thee president of the National Black Law Enforcement executives here prior to his work with the National Black Law Enforcement executives he served 34 years in the atlanta Police Department. During his career he climbed the ranks of the as Patrol Officer come seemed to please come Sergeant Kamala to become assistant commander in major. Highlights of his career include leading the command of the College Football playoff championship in 2018 and the super bowl, and super bowl 53 in 2019. He retired in 2020 to as the 25th as the 25th chief of the department. I think all the witnesses for being a today and i now recognize Deputy Commissioner mays for five minutes to summarize his Opening Statement. Thank you, chairman green and Ranking Member thompson for holding this hearing and for the invitation to testify with my fellow Law Enforcement leaders on some of the critical Law Enforcement and Security Issues facing the american homeland. The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security is a Law Enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction. Our primary mission is to investigate threats to life, threats to our schools, to protect our states Critical Infrastructure and major events, and work with our federal, state and local partners to prepare for and mitigate any threat to our state. Our departments Overall Mission is to serve, secure and protect the people of tennessee. We set about everyday to accomplish that mission. As we gather here today during National Police week to honor the fallen Police Officer across our country its also a time for us to discuss or to focus on the challenges faced by local Law Enforcement and the threats to our homeland. My testimony will focus on three areas to highlight some successes and challenges, and i thank you again for the opportunity to be here. I would like to start with security in our schools. On march 27, 2023, nashville was rocked by shooting at the covenant school. Three children and three adults lost their lives in addition to the shooter who was killed by police while she was still shooting at arriving officers from his secondstory window of the school. This shooting so close to home further steeled our resolve to do everything we can to prevent something similar from happening again. We approach School Security intimacy by focusing on three main areas, physical security, door locks, et cetera, sometimes a a simple solution are the best. We cycling must have proper response in training so our officers respond properly just as the Metro Nashville Police Department did at the covenant shooting. And third, perhaps the most complex, we must investigate every credible threat and evaluate the subjects capability and intent to act violently. Research such as the u. S. Secret service is National Threat Assessment Center study published in 2021 titled averting target School Violence looked at 67 different averted School Attacks. 94 of the School Shooters told somebody theyre going to do it. The other 6 in that study were behaving so oddly that some else reported them. So they can take away from that bad in all of, all cases we, the collective community, need to have our ears turn and be listening and the respond when threats come to our schools. We encourage this type of reporting and the Tennessee Officer boehm and security operates a 24 7 threat desk. We are, since the start of the school year, we have received approximately 322 threats to Tennessee Schools. That amounts to little over one threat to a Tennessee School every day. In the interest of time here id like to pivot now to the subject of grants. Tennessee has benefited greatly from our federal Homeland Security grant program. Funding for the state and territorial preparedness grants has dropped 44 since fy 2010 with a 10 cut about about in fy 24. We rely on these programs state or local Law Enforcement do, and these Grant Programs save lives. As an example on july 31, 2023, a suspect attempted to gain entry to the Margolin Hebrew Academy in memphis with the apparent intent to kill those inside his jewish school. After unsuccessful attempts to gain entry through locked doors, the subject fired shots outside the school and fled. He was encountered by police a short distance away, was taken into custody after brandishing a weapon. The school credited the recent secret upgrades as saving lives, and he wrote a letter to my office and what to read just a couple of sentences from it, quote, the implementation of the latest security grant any startup nonprofit secret griffin dhs the limitation of the latest security grant allowed us to reinforce our entrances with new doors and access control. Ultimately, preventing the shooter from gaining entry. Additionally, the cameras installed from the previous grant played a pillar role in assisting Law Enforcement and locating and neutralizing the shooter swiftly. Again, these grant funds saved lives. As federal funding for these programs decline, they need are increasing. In tennessee we do not just rely on federal funding for the nonprofit grants. We have a statefunded program, and as an illustration of how much of a need there is, last year we received 2. 2 million in requests far outstripping the seven of 50,000 in state funds that he had to award. Any interested time i will conclude my testimony there. Thank you. Thank you. I now recognize sheriff chapman. Thank you, sir. Thank you, mr. Chairman, Ranking Member and members of the committee. I name is mike chapman, on the elected shared of Loudoun County, virginia, and appreciably invited to testify at this important hearing during one most important weeks of the year for Law Enforcement. Loudoun county sits about 30 miles southwest of washington, d. C. And is home to about 450,000 residents. I am in my 46 career of Law Enforcement having served as a Police Officer in detective in maryland, 23 years as a Drug Enforcement Administration Special agent from coasttocoast in the three foreign assignments, and over 12 years as an elected sheriff of virginias largest fullservice Sheriffs Office employee close my head. Prior to being elected sheriff i served three years as Law Enforcement subject Matter Expert with booz allen. I bring firsthand knowledge to police work Federal Express private sector perspective and the complexity associated with elected office of sheriff. Im here today on behalf of the National Sheriffs association and served as its chair for alma security and on its board of directors. I would like to address todays hearing standing strong with the thin blue law how congress can support Law Enforcement. Historically and carly Law Enforcement collaborates well together regardless if it is a Sheriffs Office or Police Department. When national Law Enforcement organizations collectively present their concerns of positions whether in support or opposition to legislation, Congress Needs to listen. Congress decision consecutively impede Law Enforcement service performs investigations or even recruiting. Supplying grant money or funding is not the cureall. Backing from congress in all aspects is essential. This is National Police week as america honors the daytoday service and sacrifice of our Law Enforcement community, and on this day peace officer memorial day we honor those who have given their lives in the line of duty. Issue weve already witnessed 58 alliance of duty deaths among Law Enforcement officers with 23 of those by gunfire. Our job is dangerous and we need to help serve and protect our communities and ourselves. We ask you recognize how Law Enforcement has and continues to raise the bar. The progress ive witnessed since i was hired to be a Police Officer back in 1978 when it comes to training, professionalism, innovation, and best practices is nothing short of amazing. It is important you recognize the progress and publicly show support, your support for our profession. It is also important you listen so that you can help us do our jobs better. Lets start with intelligence gathering and police response. Currently there are 80 state or locally run Fusion Centers in 50 states and u. S. Territories. They receive grant federal Grant Funding which accounts for about onethird of the cost of operation. Theres also federal, state and local coordination through six strategically place regional information systems, risk, Centers Across the u. S. Considering local Law Enforcement of the boots on the ground it is critical federal information flows quickly in our direction even if the information is incomplete. The responsibility for this communication and coronation primary falls on the department of Homeland Security, intelligence and analysis, i a, and is the only federal entity that has statutory, is statutorily required to coordinate Homeland Security threat information sharing with state and local Law Enforcement governments throughout Fusion Centers. Congress should ensure that i a is equipped and empowered to carry out that mission effectively. In the Loudoun County i experience personal case study with dhs regarding porky medication both laterally and with other federal agencies and onward to state and local agencies. In february 2022 i was made aware of some 1000 evacuees from afghanistan that would be arriving in Loudoun County in two weeks as part of operation allies welcome. Following the u. S. Withdrawal from afghanistan. This would be the first wave during a sixmonth period mcnulty relocated to the National Conference in her dorm style living facility in the suburban residential area of our county next to a middle and high school. I immediately reached out to the dhs chief of staff for Additional Information and to question their lack of notification earlier to local Law Enforcement and her Public Safety partners. We needed to know how well the evacuees were vetted, if the local hospital have been contacted, if School Personnel and Community Members living within walking distance in that community were notified, if any houses of worship have been contacted, if language Capability Services have been retained, and how security would be conducted. Unfortunately none of these concerns have been addressed. Dhs subsequent to postpone the resettlement for two weeks, still not addressing these issues. I alerted the public and organized a Committee Stakeholders meeting including dozens of agencies which lead to specific assignments in in a Community Forum that for the most part alleviated the apprehension of this to the community. Our local Initiative Made a huge difference for the next six month potential cast chaoss averted and were no major Public Safety incidents. Its extraordinary effort however would not have been necessary had dhs communicated and organize plan we hope this will improve in the future. Today we face a new set of challenges on many of our College Campuses and cities over Matters Regarding the middle east. It is critical we received timely information from dhs to get ahead of the curve. We need your help. We need to backing up and improve communication from dhs tour local officers and deputies. Thank you again for holding this hearing and listening. Thank you, sheriff chapman. Now i recognize mr. Bullock for five minutes to summarize his Opening Statement. Chairman green, members of the committee thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. My name is michael bullock. Im the president of the Austin Police association in texas as well as the senior Police Officer with the austin Police Department. I wish it were a mix better times a set of originally but this somber week upon a fellow personal officers killed in the light of duty sets the tone for the state of our profession. In my view the state of Law Enforcement is dire. Well recognize criminal justice as a whole is a complex policy issue for which no Singular Solution exists. But if we continue to do nothing since a lawless as being perpetuate an urban city centers and across the country will only get worse. Austin is the tenth largest city in the United States with 1 Million People living in the capital of texas. Despite this we dont even make the top 25 list when it comes to staffing. We are 700 officers short of where studies and by the city of boston has shown we need to be. Our staffing issues can be linked to a few key events of our struggles are shared by agents of all across the country. In 2017 the Austin City Council voted against a contract with the Austin Police association which governs the wages, benefits and working conditions of the men and women of the austin Police Department. As a result beginning in 2018 weve had more officers leave our department each year and have joined. Compounding this problem in 2020 was what our city leaders divided our department by 150 million, cut 150 authorized positions, and canceled cadet classes all for the sake of political posturing. Our staffing has been in freefall that is led to its vacancy rate of over 30 . Little surprised and after the sensations and an exodus from the department began, that a year later a number of homicides nearly doubled. The last three years have been the highest homicide numbers in bostons history. Though were not a border city, the impact of immigration policies itself but a special paper city has asked for help from the texas state troopers who came for for a time anda notable impact on crime by increasing presence. But to the ongoing border crisis they were called way to help secure the texas border and no longer able to help us in austin. As a result the may 2023 teenager shot and killed a man in southeast austin when attempting to rob him. The reason they gave for this heinous crime was a new state troopers had left austin and they decided to start committing crime again. Adding additional layers of complexity to this issue is a a lackadaisical attitude towards holy criminals accountable judges and prosecutors while at the same time seeing the same prosecutors target officers which in turn has encourage criminals to be increasingly violent towards Law Enforcement. Over these the same time. Suites in myriad of critical in sentences take place. Often distilled with the serial bomber planting improvised explosive devices all across her city killing a residence. Weve had numerous Mass Shootings including one breaking out during one of our largest festivals that draws people from all across the country to visit our city. Most notably on our minds is an incident that took the life of one of her own. Under from 11 come 202323 in the Early Morning hours are a piece what he was called to residents in southeast austin where an armed subject was barricaded inside the resident come had always stabbed one of his Family Members with two were held hostage inside. And he had shot at officers when had initially responded. Fearing for the lives of others inside the residence and knowing this while suspect had already attempted to kill one of his own Family Members and willingly shot at our fellow Law Enforcement officers, our swat team went to the door to try and save lives. After going in there were met by a polish his barrage of gunfire from the suspect who was well armed and wearing body armor. While the suspect was ultimately killed, it came at a high price. Two other authors our authors of the shechem one of which was officer officer george pastore who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Across this country we now see a Law Enforcement officer shot in line of duty every 21 hours. Issue alone weve had over 145 officers shot which is been increasingly yearoveryear. Our job is to uphold the constitution and enforce the laws passed by yourselves as well as your state and local counterparts. This is a charge we take seriously and one we wanted to sacrifice our lives for. I stated billy today though pleading for your help. We need help in addressing our staffing needs, support in enforcing our laws, providing better trainings resource and transcend the political rhetoric to end the war on Law Enforcement and restore law and order in our country. The trends we see in austin are not isolated. If not reversed i fear lawlessness is all but inevitable. Again thank you all for your time effort to get this important matter, mr. Chair. Thank you. Mr. Bryant, for your testimony. Odds are, mr. Bullock comfrey testily. I never get us mr. Bryant for his five minutes to summarize his Opening Statement. [inaudible] mark green, Ranking Member thompson and committee members. I bring you greetings on behalf of of the executive Board Members and constituents of the National Organization of black Law Enforcement executives. Noble. My name is Rodney Bryant and i am the national president. Noble noble serves as the ce of Law Enforcement by being committed to justice by action. Noble has 58 chapters and represent over 4500 members worldwide that consist of chief executive officers, command level Law Enforcement officials, and federal, state, local, county Law Enforcement agencies. And criminal justice practitioners. I have served more than 35 years in Law Enforcement profession in various positions of increasing responsibilities to include serving as a Patrol Officer and ascending all ranks to become the 25th chief of least of the city of atlanta. It is an honor for noble to provide written testimony on the topic of standing strong on the thin blue line, how congress can support local Law Enforcement. I would be remiss if i did not recognize that this week is National Police week where we honor and remember those Law Enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. In 2023, approximately 136 officers died in the line of duty, representing a 40 reduction compared to 2022. However, one officer is one too many. Noble will continue to stand vigilant and in solidarity with Law Enforcement in effort to reduce the statistics. We invite congress to join us in this noble pursuit. On april 29 our nation experienced the deadliest attack against u. S. Law enforcement officers since 2016. And ar15 semiautomatic rifle and a 40 caliber handgun were deployed in charlotte, North Carolina, shooting that result in four Law Enforcement officers been killed and wounding four others. I extend heartfelt prayers and condolences to the officers come families, agencies and affected communities. Noble is very concerned about the level of gun violence in the United States and specifically the correlation between violence and proliferation of assault weapons and highcapacity ammunition magazine. It is our organizations opinion that violence particularly gun violence is a Public Health issue, and with all Public Health issues it demands a comprehensive, nonjudgmental, magmatic, evidencebased approach to saving lives and reducing injuries. A positive step toward addressing the level of gun violence in our nation has taken with the passage of the bipartisan Safer Communities act. Noble supported this legislation the bill combined gun safety legislation with Mental Health, and School Security resources. We at noble recommend that in addition to the bipartisan Safer Communities act that congress and Law Enforcement profession and communities across this nation worked to secure the passage of Bipartisan Legislation that at minimum will address the following. Mandate universal background checks, assault weapons ban highcapacity magazines and mandate safe gun storage. It is nobles belief and many in our profession that the continued relaxation of gun laws poses a real danger to the Law Enforcement officers and the community. It is my opinion that the Law Enforcement profession is in need of comprehensive federal legislation such as the George Floyd Justice and policing act. Noble did support the Biden Administration executive order on advancing effective accountable policing and criminal justice practice to enhance public trust and Public Safety. There are key elements in the order that we feel are responsible and actionable such as accountability, workforce support, use of force, and resources support for Mental Health and Behavioral Health services. Our organization recommends to congress a bipartisan effort to find Common Ground on a very basic constitutional right within the 14th amendment. Equal protection under the law. For many parts of our society, citizens have not felt equally protected by the american constitution Law Enforcement. In many communities of color, the first names of unarmed citizens that were killed by officers who took an oath to protect and serve resonate today and for generations to come. Lastly, i appeal to our congressional leaders of both parties to continue to support our federal Law Enforcement agencies in the areas of funding, public support, and policies that ensure that they maintain their readiness. It is critical federal Law Enforcement resources are available to support state local county tribal Law Enforcement agencies. There must be a unified congressional understanding of the importance of ensuring Homeland Security for our nation which equates to strengthening all levels of Public Safety. A map of the National Organization of Law Enforcement executives, i thank you for supporting our profession and our ability to maintain Public Safety. Our members stand ready to meet the needs of our communities and nation. Thank you again for this opportunity to provide testimony. Thank you, mr. Bryant. Members will be recognized by order of seniority for their five minutes of questioning. An additional round of questioning may be called after all members have been recognized. I now recognize myself for five minutes of questioning. First id like to start with mr. You mentioned i think three sort of avenues of approach so to speak, use military term, through which you guys are working on School Safety, and you talk specifically about response entering. Could you describe some of the training you are talking about in the net effect and where dhs and the federal government are assisting in that area . Thank you, mr. Chairman for the question. We learned as as a nation, we learned after the you boldly Texas School Shooting what a bad response looked like uvaldi we know from the shootings that Law Enforcement needs to respond and go into the school immediately and stop the killing, right . We saw in nashville at the covenant School Shooting metropolitan nashville Police Department officers went in immediately, and it was interesting for me to find out the most of those officers did not know each other and it never trained together. Yet their training and the Police Department under the chief leadership was a good that if you watched the body camera video looks like a train together every day. So training works and the procedures that need to be in place on how pretty universal through a system called alert. Its active shooter response type training. School resource officers are trained in this. Police officers are trained. Home its a good agents in tennessee are trained in this response. We believe thats a key part of School Security, but much more important, i think, are just as important as the response is not waiting until the dangers at the doorstep. As i stated in my written testimony about this averted School Attack study, which are a lot of information about a planned School Attack. We must go out and confront that threat and determine whether there is capability and content before it ends up on the doorstep of the school. Was a helpful . Do know about the trip to tennessee and what they did . I do not, mr. Chairman. Im not familiar with that particular trip. I think a fork with php on that. Thank you. Mr. Bullock, you described the impact of budgets, budget cuts and a shortage of officers. Whats the impact on the other officers on the force, you know, stress wise, you know, marriages, things like that . For these huge shortages of personnel. It takes a tremendous mental toll on officers. Just as an example because of the severe shortages that we are experiencing officers were assigned as a detective should be investigating major crimes i, sides, robberies, things of that nature having to work patrol ships. They are being sent back to patrols and are diverted away from their assigned duties as an investigator in order to take 9 11 calls. Theyre having to do that on a regular rotation basis each quarter. That does have a Significant Impact as you mentioned on Mental Health. It has an impact on family life. It adds another layer of unpredictability to an already unpredictable job. So we do see an increase in officers who may have issues at home that may deal with a call use, of right of other things as result of increased stress. What about the rhetoric sort of, and its died that a little bit but over baby jude or two ago this whole defund the police thing, how is that impacted morale of the force down at, as weve seen army soldier level, but at the officer level . As you put for the boots on the ground it has a pretty devastating impact as well because you feel like you are not valued for what youre being asked, youre asked to be willing to give up your life in the defense of others and those who are responsible for providing resources to get the job youre being asked to do our seemingly pushing you to an invaluable role. So from that aspect it does have an impact as well. I will say even though we have seen to a degree some of those funds restored, we do see some shell games that get played with that nonetheless, where the funding may seemingly be restored but yet its a response but that was initially given back to the department. So were given, where given the fund spec but its not actually going to areas that we need to go in order to recruit, retain and provide the resources for officers to do the job. Thank you. I know youll you and ree ranking Ranking Member for fibers for questioning. Thank you, mr. Chairman. One of the questions, comments that ran through everyones Opening Statement was the threat of violence that occurs in this country. And most of those threats have occurred with the use of firearms. Some of us advocate universal background checks for people who own guns. Im a hunter. I cant to get in the woods every chance i get, and every now and then i get lucky and bring something home. But i dont have a problem with whatever the requirements are to own that gun. So, you know, im a lawabiding gun owner. Id like to ask each witness their position on universal background checks to be able to purchase a gun. Mr. Mays . Thank you, Ranking Member thompson for the question. Whether its background checks for extreme Risk Protection orders, whatever may be necessary, we would like to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldnt have been. Ive spent my career in the state Law Enforcement and as a secret Service Agent encountering people who are suffering from mental illness, people who are homicidal, people who are delusional and they had guns and with very little tools available to take the weapon away. Im not too worried about lawabiding citizens like yourself who go hunting. Its people who are of limited capacity or have had bad intentions, this is where the Mental Health peace and the Law Enforcement piece need to work better together. Ive encountered people over my career who admitted to me they are mentally ill come to press and hes holding a pistol in his hand and had to call his dad to come up and try to talk to get out of the pistol to give tuesday because i have no way to take away from. I understand and let me just say that we did for the federal people in dhs, we passed a specific piece of legislation to up with a Mental Health of those people because we talk to the Family Members and other people who are distressed. Sheriff, can you address that . I have a large agreement with my colleague here. I think the biggest problem isnt so much, its the people that are criminals to get the guns and they dont necessarily get them, purchase and properly and the way they should and with the background checks. We do the background checks obvious in the commonwealth of virginia, but id have to know the details quite frankly of exactly what you mean by universal background check. I think a lot of that is already done within the commonwealth of virginia. But my biggest concern is the fact about these weapons are stolen. They are stolen or used in crimes, and so you can, you know, you can do whatever you want. The fact of the matter is we get all these people can they use guns in crimes of positive into the fullest extent of the law rather than constantly trying to change laws that really are going to impact the honest citizen buying a gun. Well, sheriff, we will debate but an honest citizen can get again. Im just saying that if theres a diss honest citizen and an 85 , 2 , thats one of those steps we can do to mitigate that. Mr. Bullock. Id like to get on what sheriff josette, which is a large part of what we do with his stolen firearms. I certainly understand about your personal background checks. Come from texas we definitely like our guns as well. I think that efforts are probably best spent in Holding People accountable that are breaking the law. Actively, including people that are knowingly using stolen firearms. Thank you very much. Mr. Bryant. Likewise, many of my colleagues i think universal background checks will assist us in the issues that we are seeing. In many instances with the level of proliferation of guns that were seen on our streets, in aspect that can allow us to minimize what we are seeing will be beneficial, not just to the citizen but to the Law Enforcement officers as well. Thank you very much. One more question. On january 6th, thousands of angry supporters who were whipped into a frenzy by the former president marched on the white house, took the capital, where they broke a police barricade, smashed windows, assaulted Police Officers in an attempt to obstruct the democratic process. Over 140 officers protecting the capital were injured that day. Five Police Officers died in the days and weeks that followed. Mr. Mays, do you agree that this violence against Police Officers was unjustified . Absolutely. Thank you. Sheriff . Any violence against Police Officers doing the job should not be, should not be allowed in any sense of the word. So i agree that anybody should be, but does it should be fully prosecuted. Mr. Bullock . I i take the same stands for anyone who commits violence in software if it should not be tolerant. Mr. Bryant . I agree that any violence against Police Officers lawfully doing the job should not be tolerant. Thank you. Yield back in, mr. Chair. The gentleman yields. I now recognize the judgment from mississippi and the vice chair of the committee mr. Guest for fibers of questions. Thank you, mr. Chairman. To our witnesses take you for being with us this morning. Chief, right before we begin i was wondering if you could give it to be an update if you have an on the three officers in atlanta who were shot over the weekend . Absolute. Thank you so much for inquiring. All three are in recovery. I spoke to the chief immediately after the incident occurred. He has continued to update me as a courtesy to inform me that they are improving. Thank you so much for asking. And if you please send along to those officers and the members of that department that our thoughts and prayers are with them during their recovery, and it will be take remember this week. As a look at the headlines, i pulled some very brief headlines in preparation for todays hearing. I put in the Search Engine officerinvolved shooting. One came up 3 a. M. This morning, new Mexico State Police in roswell Police Department investigating an officerinvolved shooting left a roswell Police Officer injured. A headline from may 12. Please identify a man shot dead by Law Enforcement after opening fire in amazon warehouse. The article says West Jefferson please have didnt buy them and killed by police sunday. The gunman was fatally shot by Law Enforcement after he shot a columbus Police Officer. Also a headline from may the 12th, euclid Police Officer dead after ambush shooting. The first paragraph said a first year euclid Police Officer in his 20s was shot dead saturday night in what authorities described as an ambush, after officers responded to a disturbance on these 211th street. We reference and you spoke of three of and a Police Officer who were shot and injured this weekend as they respond to a call involving an armed gunmen. And i think it was mentioned in at least one if not several of the Opening Statement by the officers of the shooting that happened in late april in charlotte where we had four officers killed and or mac other officers were wounded and four of officers were wounded in the incident. My question, october 2, mr. Mays our Law Enforcement officers, are they safer today than they were three years ago . Thank you for the question. Thats a tough one to answer. I had a sense that its worse out there on the streets. I dont wear a uniform every day so i get that information from talking to my, speeded im not asking to explain why you feel yes or no, but just come and again im not, i just asking for your opinion because you are Deputy Commissioner and you are involved every day. Do you feel that Law Enforcement officers are safer today than there were three years ago, just in a . No. Sheriff . No, i dont. In fact, the fbi just reported yesterday that 79,000 Law Enforcement officers in 2023 were assaulted, and thats a ten year high. So with that shows is an increase in assaults on Law Enforcement officers. To answer your question whether theyre safer, we are battered wellequipped and can save lives much better than we did in the past but for sure theyre not as safe as they were in the past. And very quickly because a cut a couple of questions come mr. Bullock hubley offers are safer than it were three years ago . No. Chief, do you believe there are safer than there were three years ago . As to see the increase in violence today, i would have o say no, due to the increase. Okay. Thank you for your answers. Two of the things i want to focus on very quickly and it probably wont have time to focus on one, first is a open border policies that we see. I know that was referenced particularly new testimony mr. Bullock about some of the challenges you are seeing because of that. Though not reference in other testimony i believe we can say the open border policies have put a strain on Law Enforcement. The other they want to touch on very briefly is rogue prosecutors. I know particularly as it relates to you, mr. Bullock, theres been some allegations come in immediate not by you, about the prosecutor in austin. Want to read this headline and talk on this very briefly, kind of encapsulates both seen an article it says seven people indicted in connection with assault on nypd officers outside migrant shelters, officials say. The article which is dated for the purpose of the record is february 8. The article says seven people have been indicted in connection with an assault plus one from two new york Police Officers near times square and authorities are working to identify three others who were involved. The indictments come in a strong attention part because of the biker status of the least some of the defenses and because four of these and named in the indictment were released last week without bail. Rogue prosecutors, give a pose a risk to Law Enforcement in general . On that you answer just yes or no very quickly because im over time, and with that i will yield back. Yes. The gentleman yields. Cant answer the question. Is go ahead. I will yield back and apologize for being overdone. Okay. Go ahead. Yes, sir. Briefly. Yes, i agree. Absolutely. Not just to police but to the committee as a whole, yes. Thank you very much. The gentleman yields. I now record as the chairman from california mr. Swalwell and Ranking Member on a cybersecurity subcommittee. Police week is always a a bittersweet week in washington, d. C. We remember the fallen, those who have given their lives in the service of eternity over the last year but also its a time for fellowship and brotherhood and sisterhood of the profession to come together in our nations capital. Just first want to honor the service of those who we lost last year. I want to thank each of you for your service and wanted to just go to a couple of different incidents that this committee has focus on and this congress has focus on, and just get your perspective. Do you agree, mr. Mays, that the officers who defended the capital on january 6th our heroes . Yes, sir, i would agree. How about you, sheriff chapman . Anybody puts it lives on the line to make sure that they keeping people safe is a hero to me. So i was greeted anybody who was assaulted certainly by the writers were heroes. And how about you, mr. Bullock . I would stand by the same for Something Else who puts on his uniform duties is a hero in my mind. And mr. Speak any person who puts on his uniform and honorably serve out their career is a hero, absolutely. And mr. Mays, if you assaulted or physically harm an officer on january 6th, does it make you a criminal . Anyone that assaulted an officer ungenerous six and then is arrested and convicted is a criminal, yes, sir. Mr. Chapman . An assault on a Law Enforcement officer is a crime, so yes, they would be a criminal. Mr. Bullock . The same. Mr. Bryant . I am in agreement that you become a criminal. By the what i support legislation on the Judiciary Committee that would make assaulting or committing a battery against the law for the officer a separate class of crimes, and hope we can speeded with the gentleman joe. With yes. They do that in tennessee. Yeah. We should do it federally. Thank you, chairman. One last question is relates to january 6th. Do you believe anyone who is convicted of harming an officer on january 6th as a hostage . If theyre in prison for that. No, sir, i do not. Sheriff . I dont really understand the question. I dont either. Do you believe that calling at january sixth convict a hostage is appropriate . Theyre in prison, that their hostage . I was in the anybody that assaulted Law Enforcement officer that was charged with the and is going to the Legal Process is is the appropriate actions being taken. Mr. Bullock . Regardless of the event, if someone is charged with a crime, follow falls due process and is convicted, they are a convicted criminal, not a hostage. Mr. Bryant . I do not consider someone who was arrested for assaulting a Police Officer a hostage. I also want to point out there are some on this committee, not all, certainly not the chairman, who advocated for defunding the fbi. Do you think we should defund the fbi, mr. Mays . No, sir. Sheriff . No, sir. I have a son who is an fps single. I want want to keep employed. Mr. Bullock . No, sir. And mr. Bryant . No. No, sir. I just want us and well talk with you all and some of my colleagues, because im the son of the car. My brother is a copy i was a prosecutor. Law enforcement for a family is not a career, its a way of life. Its about putting the bad guys away and keeping the community safe. And so to me when i hear some of my colleagues, i cannot all of them but some of them on this committee hope their chest and say that the back the blue within the going to call a january 6th contact hostage, thats not backing the blue. Thats backing the coup. When some of them say that it back the blue with the second the blue rates of the house of their preferred candidate for president , thats not backing the blue. Thats backing a fool. Im all about supporting Law Enforcement and honoring them during police week but weve got to be consistent. Please dont give a rip about politics. They just want to serve the committee. They want to be free in nevada politics and we should back every time to do the job, expect ties unaccountability but not expect him to wear red team, blue team when it suits them. I yield back. The gentleman yields. I now recognize mr. Gimenez the gentleman from miami, florida, for five minutes questioning. Thank you. Thank you very much. Mostly you probably know a firefighter for the city of miami upon the most of you dont know that i was a special officer, actually served on the swat team for the city of miami Police Department. So while i rode a red fire truck, i i also every once ina while especially during certain difficult times i also wrote with the Police Department. So i honor the four of you for your service. In Public Safety and the Police Department. When i was the mayor of miami dade i was also the sheriff of miamidade. One of the things i did was after the incident in paris, france, i mandated all my officers Patrol Officers et cetera would be equipped with ar15s and enhance body armor. Is that something which is normal in the United States . Do you think we should protect our Police Officers more . Were asking to take the life and put at risk. Should we as either community or a country also give them the protection that they need in order to carry out their tasks . Out ask before you come is a something norm for something a little bit unusual . Thank you for the question, sir. Protecting Law Enforcement officers is essential and that comes in the form of equipment, including the body armor, the rifles and all the weapons, the radios come less than lethal force everything they need. Also includes the training. All of it together they need to be properly equipped. But is that normal . Is that, are we, is that, are the officers in his country sufficiently protected across the nation, or is it something which is jurisdiction by jurisdiction . I dont know i can answer for the entire nation. I can say in tennessee its generally jurisdiction by jurisdiction and depends on funding. There enough. I would agree as jurisdiction by jurisdiction. I served in miami with the Drug Enforcement administration so i knew how bad it was soaring during the cocaine wars. We do need be equipped well and be able to defend ourselves against very violent criminals out there but that does come down to a jurisdictional issue and how those communities go about how the police and Law Enforcement officers in those areas should be equipped. And i was on swat team during the cocaine were, so yeah. I would say thats pbly not the norm. An austin every officers not, not equipped with an ar nor on the all certified to use one per se, as well as getting enhance body armor is not standardized, that there were carry it on them all the time. Would you want that . Absolutely. Okay. Mr. Bryant . Thank you. As a representative of Law Enforcement, not Just National but internationally, i can tell you that it goes from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Theres not an equal level of distribution nor any equipment or training. And so we have to improve upon that nationally. All right. My second question is that director wray has informed us that because of the openness of the border that he expects or he has apprehensions about a possible terrorist attack here in the United States, because frankly there was about 2 Million People we havent the faintest idea you came from, who they are, with the art or why they are here. Do you all have the same kind of apprehensions in that director wray has . Yes, sir, i do. Very concerned about people coming across the southern border and we dont know where they are and we dont know where they are going. That absolutely concerns me, yes. I would also agree. We deal with on a regular basis interacting with individuals who have no form of identification and we dont know the are. Mr. Bryant . Yes. We trust information being provided to us by director wray, and so im in agreement. Do you feel the federal government is giving you enough in the terms or in the area of intelligence to be able to protect your jurisdictions to the best of your ability in light of the fact that director wray believes that there is a great threat to the homeland from terrorists, unknown to us . Go ahead. We are not getting all all te information that would be helpful. We, the federal government is apparently unable to tell us how many immigrants are coming to tennessee, where the going in the state, where they came from. We dont have that information. So if i dont even know how many are coming and where theyre from, and how can i begin to understand what kind of threat they pose to my state . We have a Good Relationship with the federal counterparts and information we get is more kind of persontoperson contact. Contact. As always taking vacation could be better. We are probably a little bit more different in that we had issues with our local officials attend to try to restrict our use of information that is trying to be passed on to us accessible to us. Having a strong relationship with our federal partners is essential to what we do. However, we do recognize that theres a a level of continuos challenges around intelligence and information. Thank you again for your service and i yield back. Gentleman yields. I nebuchadnezzar mr. Ivey from maryland for his five minutes of question. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I thank you for calling this hearing today. And i appreciate the panel of witnesses as well. Deputy commissioner mays, i was especially impressed with your testimony. I thought it was right up the alley of the types of things that we can do here on the committee and things we hear about. Your points about the School Shootings i thought was a very helpful. One thing i did have a question about come to mention i think it was 94 , theres an opportunity to preempt some of these shootings because we have information that somebody is planning on doing it. You know, 94 of the time. I wonder if you could elaborate a bit on things that you think we could do, especially here in congress, to help address that. Thank you for the question. Those study numbers are compelling. The net National Center study a reference amendment has been is not the only one. There are multiple studies and again and again they tell us that most attacks on schools targeted violence as it were, there is a pathway to violence and if he can get involved and get the chute off that pathway to file its we have a chance at stopping something from happening. Fortunately there still real shortcut. Its a roll up your sleeves and get out there and talk to the person and intervention. Its a Multidisciplinary Team approach. I think certainly the United States congress could help by more funding for those type of programs. Just last year in tennessee, the multidisciplinary threat Assessment Approach in each school prior to last year, it was permissive but not required. A new state law has made that the mandate, and so part of the Governors Initiative to put a helmet security agent in each of tennessees 95 counties specifically to help coordinate multidisciplinary approach which is needed. Hope that answers your question. It does, it does. I might follow up with you afterwards as well. I didnt want to actually i forgot to welcome our new member, representative kennedy from new york. I take the chairmans mark were close to lead a quorum for new york delegation meetings here on the committee, but certainly welcome you. I did want to make a point with you, mr. Chairman, and my colleagues here to guide a chance to go out and visit the secret service sicily which is in my district where they do training. Some of the training they do, and i take the point from some of the testimony today about how important training can be. They took us to an open field, literally, and they said imagine the treeline at the back is the white house, and the road that were on would be pennsylvania avenue. And and then they did the demo, you know, with people coming from and the dog went out and intercepted them and all of that. It was like playing pickup football, younger as a kid and the pine tree e is the touchdown line . Thats what theyre doing, actually, to the prepare for attackses on the white house. And so one of the things id like to ask at some point, you know, not today obviously, but i hope thats the kind of thing we can take a look at and try to figure out ways to help them get some kind of environment where they can do some training. The best they can do right now is tyler perry built a mock white house for a movie or something . Back so they fly em down there is and use this mock white house with which, obviously, isnt the same thing as the real thing and certainly wouldnt be the kind of place that the youd want to be training to protect the president of the United States and the family. But thats what theyve got right now. So i would love to have a chance for us to take a look at that as a committee and see if theres a way the step up on that front. And finally, let me end with this. National police week and i thank the chairman, again, for holding a hearing on the topic, i thank all of you for the service that you provide, the risks that youve take, the sacrifices that you and your families have made and for Police Officers around the country and their families as well. I was a local prosecutor. I first got elected in 2002. Before i took office, two Police Officers were gunned down trying to serve a warrant for a Mental Health issue. And it was in the guys parents house. They didnt know that he had a fire arm. Theres the guns issue, theres a Mental Health issue. Those are the kinds of things we need to talk about more as we move through these. But thank you to how you and Law Enforcement officers a around the country for the sacrifices you make and the work you do to protect the country and our communities. And with that, i yield back. The gentleman yields. Sounds like a [inaudible] if doesnt it, mr. Crane . If i now recognize mr. Gonzales, the gentleman from texas, for his phi. Minutes of questioning. Five minutes of questioning. Thank you, general and. Thank you, gentlemen, for your service to our country and, please, share to the men and women that serve alongside you that this committee is committed to making sure that you have all the tools you need to be successful in keeping americans safe. In mar, i want to thank mr. Bullock to, you know, justin berry is a good friend of mine, an officer there will in austin. I hear a lot about behind the scenes whats happening, and in many cases i feel as if youre serving behind enemy lines. And i want to take this opportunity to tear into the Travis County district attorney. I think that guy has done a terrible job with. I think that individual has made that community unsafe. And those type of situations need to go away. We need to get back to everybody is on the same team paddling in the same direction for the safety of all citizens, not this ideology or the other and my question is to you, sir. In recent years rogue prosecutors have brought radical ideas on how to approach our criminal justice system. We are seeing prosecutors refusing to prosecute offenders and allowing low volume amounts for violent criminals. Weve seen criminals posting bond that end up committing more Violent Crimes, in some cases shooting Police Officers and endangering the community. This is the a dangerous trend and tells communities that there are no real penalties for breaking the law. My question to you, mr. Bullock, is what are some of the tool that state states or Congress Might be able to use to reel in some of these criminalfriendly are prosecutors . Thank you, sir. Undoubtedly, its an issue i that we deal with. You know, its the enforcement aspect thats the biggest part where laws are passed, laws are in place, yet we have individuals that decide on their own not to enforce those laws. I think that a some opportunities are what congress is already looking at, and in particular when officers are targeted, that becomes a federal crime because then we tend to have decent working relationships with u. S. Attorneys that do prosecute those crime along with a lot of the other drug crimes that we have. For example, just recently in austin you had almost 80 overdoses on fentanyl that resulted in 9 people dying, and then we had between ems and apd over, i believe it was over 300 doses of narcan that were administered within a single weekend. Yet we have a prosecutor who with dropped unilaterally any possession of a controlled substance under a gram. And that can be a lethal dose of fentanyl. So any efforts that would strengthen prosecution, that make sure that crimes are actually enforced and prosecuted would be with extremely beneficial. Thank you. This is certainly getting a whole lot more attention here in congress because i feel as though yall are doing your part of the job. Youre putting the uniform on, youre going to work, youre once again trying to protect your community, and when you pass that ball off to the prosecuting standpoint, in some cases you have people that are throwing the ball the other way, and its not getting down the field. I recent wily introduced the cops act, ask one of the things that i thought was interesting is the cops act includes any attack against a Police Officer if to include explosive materials such as a fireworks and other dangerous weapons. We always talk about guns. We always talk about a Police Officer getting shot in the line of duty. What im starting to see is this morph into Something Else, you know . These criminals, these rioters, theyre using fireworks, theyre using bottles of water that have been frozen. So once again are you seeing an increase in other than kind of fire arms, mr. Bullock, other than fire arms . If are your officers under attack with these other areas in. Yes. Other things that you mentioned such as fireworks are being us used, highpowered lasers are an issue as well. We have recently discovered a dry chemical that can be thrown on officers that burns, and it causes it can be potentially lethal depending upon how its treated. So these are all things were having to prepare for now. It is not just firearms that are a threat to Law Enforcement. I see this growing and i alsd of this. It cant just be firearms. My last question for you, sheriff. I lean on sheriffs heavily. I have merely half of the overall southern nearly half of the overall southern border, and one of the questions i have is license plate readers. What i hear if my sheriffs is license plate readers are a gamechanger. Youre able to find more information and get an aspect of it. So just in general, what is your thoughts on interacting license plates readers and the data along that into your, into your county . License plate readers are critical information. It helps us solve crimes up and down the coast, anywhere in the area. Gives us a heads up on any, anything that might have been hike a crime that had past occurred in, like, a neighborhood where we can go back in and track it. License plate to see who might have been in a neighborhood, and then you can get your suspect and possibly a prosecution based on something as simple as that. So theyre critical to what we do. We need to have them. We need to have access to that information, and it really does help us quite a bit. Thank you, sheriff, and i yield back, chairman. If the gentleman yields. I now recognize mr. Garcia for the his five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I want to thank all of you for your service as a well. I was mayor of long beach before i got to congress, and so i worked with our Police Department, obviously, very closely. Im really proud of the men and women that serve in long beach and Police Departments across the country. I also want to thank them for working in those eight years to focus on also issues that i believe made the long beach Police Department focus on issues around diversity, around equity, around Community Policing and other initiatives that already made our Police Department inclusive of the community. Now, we know that Law Enforcement and keeping people safe shouldnt be a partisan issue. I hope people understand when we talk about supporting the police, we need to follow through on that support in congress through real actions, not just partisan messaging bills. And Police Officers actually need the tools to do their jobs and the training in technology. They need to make sure that we can hire and recruit talented people into our Police Departments. That also includes federal funding. Now, mr. Bryant, would it support state and local Law Enforcement to actually defund federal support programs for Community Policing . Absolutely not. Many of our agencies Work Together within a type of ecosystem that we are relying upon one another. And so any defunding of our principal agencies will have a Significant Impact federal agencies will have a Significant Impact on our local enforcement agencies as well as we the typically have tfos and partner thank you, sir. Im assuming youre familiar with the cops federal Funding Program as well. We all know if you ask any Police Department across the country, particularly those in urban, large cities, theyre critical for Police Departments. You know, 80 of the majority have signed on to a budget which actually eliminates and reduces funding for our cops federal program for Police Departments. I think its really important that we keep that a funding and that we support Police Departments in places like long beach and across the america. I also wanted to show you this graph. As mayor, we would track today that comes from Police Departments across the country. You can see here there was a surge of homicides by 30 to the highest level of the 90s here in 2020. And overall we know that Violent Crime and homicides have been decreasing over the last few decades even though some like to scare folks and act like somehow we are in this massive crime wave that weve never if seen is, but thats actually not true. But in 2020 we did see a small increase. Who was president . If many 2020 the . In 2020, it was president trump. Thats right. And so if you look at the graph of the overall crime that was decreasing, we see the one spike that we had, it was actually during Donald Trumps presidency. And since then crime is actually beginning to dekeyes. In fact, were now reaching, again, lower levels because President Biden and other president s and other mayors and other governors have also invested in Community Policing, in Community Safety, in park programs, in insuring that we not just focus on the policing side, but that were also investing in communities. I just want to be very, very cheer about where actual homicides in the have actually gone. Theyre going down and, in fact, the only real increase we had was when donald trump was president just to know when he talks about whats happening across this country as it relates to crime, hes actually wrong. And i wanted to say one final thing. As you probably know, we only go after january 6. We talk about policing, and its very important to support our Capitol Police. I toured the d. C. Jail. In fact, one other member of this committee in the majority, and when we did that, unfortunately, those prisoners, those insurrectionists were treated like heros. They were hugged. They were given handshakes by members of the majority, particularly one member of this committee. Lets remember the facts. 17 of the 20 that were charged at that jail were charged with assaulting police. 6 of them had already pled guilty, yet they were being called in some cases heroes, they were being called hostages by folks in the majority. In fact, this right here is a reminder, these circles, of folks that actually are in the d. C. Jail that have been called heros that have assaulted police, that have done nothing but commit if an insurrection and treason against this country. So we talk about supporting Law Enforcement, sir, we talk about insuring that we support our Police Officers. Its very important that we support the Capitol Police and not the 20 people that are being held and that are being coddled, supported and uplifted by some members of the congress which i think is shameful, disgusting and, quite frankly, hypocritical as well. To conclude, i want to submit this profile of the january 6th inmates in the d. C. Jail, an article that just outlines and lists exactly who these, quoteunquote, hostages as called by some in the majority if actually are. So, chairman . Gentleman if yields. I now recognize the gentleman from mississippi, former sheriff, for five minutes of thank you, mr. Chairman if. Its an honor to be here this week, especially serving in the house on National Police week. Acknowledging the hard work of local Law Enforcement, federal partners that we work with. Yesterday i was proud the house unanimously passed by less my resolution which expresses congressionalling support for local Law Enforcement and condemns calls to defund police. This is particularly important and, i believe, relates to the conversation today as the Biden Administration refuses to enforce laws at our border and would that would make Law Enforcement officers jobs easier. Sheriff chapman, its great to see another schaaf in the room today and sheriff in the room today and glad to see all of you here today. I know youre glad to be here. [laughter] your testimony about dhs silence when you were seeking ans about the e settling of 1,000 refugees in your community is disturbing. As a former sheriff, i know how Important Information sharing is, and i would expect dhs to fully cooperate with local Law Enforcement. If clearly, thats not happening. Im sure you brought your concerns regarding intel sharing to dhs, and tell us what the response was. The First Response was, okay, we understand your concerns, well get back to you, well work this out. Two weeks later, still nothing had been done, and it was clear that the only way that we were going to solve this issue was people coming in and getting the community notifieded. This was no transparency in this with regards to anything that was occurring with that that, would be for us to do it ourselves. I called a stakeholders meeting myself, ended up having close to 70 that showed up. We went around the room, everybody from faithbased leaders to hospital members to water rescue to, you know, many threeletter agencies around the beltway here. And we were able to put together a man and do it and then have a subsequent Community Meeting so that the citizens would know what to expect what was coming in. In other words, everything that was handled that needed to be done was done at the local level with very little assistance until we had that Community Panel where they all came in, and then we were able to after we had already organized where we needed to go with that Community Panel, to then relay what was going to happen and how we were going to handle it. Fortunately, because we did that at the hoping level, we didnt have any areas of concern concern. Very good. Has anything improved since you had that Community Meeting . With with dhs . The process went well. We have very little contact with dhs. Have a lot of contact with our other federal partners, but we do not have much contact with members of dhs. As long as im here, ill continue to work with the committee to find ways to instruct the dhs to cooperate with local Law Enforcement officers. We all know the importance of information if sharing. You also testified that even though Loudoun County is not a border county, you face many of the same issues as these border counties do. Can you elaborate and tell us how this open border policy is a affecting your county, and even if you have some knowledge about some other counties around your area. I would say the most critical part of that is the fentanyl thats coming in. And i just saw recent a stats. I think there was 1 a 15 million if 115 million. In to 2023 it was up 70 million from the year before. Fentanyl deaths are impacting everybody throughout the country. Weve seen when i testified before a subcommittee a but weeks ago, i talked about the 9 fentanyl overdoses that we had from one particular high school, members of one particular high school in one area within about a 3week period. So we are seeing issues of concern, and were seeing the fentanyl used by younger people. Thats really concerning me that its going down to the teenage level where were seeing it between 2535, now its 1525, whatever, and it really does concern me that the age is dropping. And i would say that the biggest impact that a were seeing from the open border policies expect constant influx of drugs that are throughout the United States. Can you walk us through some of the challenges thats going on with local are Law Enforcement as a part of this border mess that we have . And has this hurt your departments ability to recruit . I think weve actually done pretty good recruiting because we answer directly to the citizens that we servement i think theres a lot of people that like that being an elected official rather than an appointed official. So were in a position where we answer a directly to them and our take on direction necessarily, people that have other agendas that might want to impose that on us as Law Enforcement leaders. So we have about a 6 attrition rate, most of or which are retirements. Our recruitment. Is up. We hired, i think, went through 100 people last year or close to that, so were doing pretty good in the scope of things in comparison to surrounding areas. So i dont really have any personal complaints, but i do know thats a problem thats impacting many of our Law Enforcement agencies in the area. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I yield back. Thank you all, again, for being here today. The gentleman yields. I now recognize mr. Mores from illinois, and youre welcome to oh, yeah, thats right. Thank you for the reminder. Well so ordered. Thank you. I just want to put in the profiles of the january 6th inmates into the record. So ordered. And youre welcome to introduce your guest, if youd like. Thank you, chairman. My mother, who often times many of you have heard of, was here for about an hour is and had to leave. But really grateful that she was here. As you know, she brought me here. She was pregnant when she crossed that border, and her daughter today is a member of congress. So i wanted to make sure that she was in committee. Chairman, i want to thank you, and Ranking Member, and the witnesses that are here today for being here. And, you know, i heard one of my colleagues say is, look, the number one job for our officers is to put the bad people away. Not just the bad guys, guy, girls, could be anyone. And to protect our community and make our communities safe. I agree with that. And after ive heard so many of your testimonies, its clear to me that we all agree that we must strategically invest in Community Safety. I believe Community Safety is bigger than missing because it requires longterm solutions with position professionals that are trained in multiple positions. And that working together officers and other trained professionalsing, were able to address the root cause of violence. For years now, a Law Enforcement has increasingly become the First Responder and primary way that we can address problems. For example, increased instability resulting in unprecedented numbers of refugees needing urgent settlement support. As a sheriff chapman said occurred in london county, to address issues that undermine School Safety as was noted as a priority in tennessee. We have overburdened our Public Servants with tasks and crises that theyre not equipped to confront which makes them and our communities, right, less safe. And i believe as were talking about where we are in this precise moment, i think we can e store balance in Public Safety cosystem by investing in the that allow professionals to respond to the crises that we were trained to confront, the Mental Health crisis. President bryant, i appreciate you noting how Public Health and safety require a comprehensive, nonjudgmental, pragmatic evidencebased approach that includes violence prevention measures. So i wanted to ask you, how would increasing the role of Community Members, Health Care Providers and other trained professionals in Public Safety response affect Police Departments . Thank you so much. Public safety is the responsibility of all citizens involved. So is when we are and i agree that Law Enforcements beliefs are typically to First Responders to almost every given incident which overburdens the profession. But increasing, allowing the community to play a significant part is very beneficial to what we do, incorporating other professions in what we do in the space of Mental Health, i think, will help us tremendously. Thank you, mr. Bryant. You know, chicago, i represent one of, i believe, the greatest cities in the world, chicago. And its been working to rightsize [inaudible] its been redesignating some of the overwhelming amount of Public Health and service work delegated to Police Departments back to Community Partners and trainedded professionals. The chicago Police Department reported that in 2019 its officers a had to respond to over 40,000 calls with a Mental Health component of some case. And it generated, obviously, deep frustration among officers who feel that theyre required to respond to social and medical problems for which theyre the not trained and that Mental Health system should be managing those instead. So to address this, chicago has started the treatment not trauma pilot that has counselors responding to 911 Mental Health calls instead of having to call the police. And one organization using this model has a reported that they have had they have not needed Police Presence for over 94 of those calls. That means that those officers that would have had to respond to those calls can actually address the issues of crime, of violence. And because of Community Intervention program, my own district has seen a 50 president reduction in shootings and homicides 50 . As i think about that and as i think about our officers, one of the things i want to make sure we think about how you have the resources you need, the partners you need to do this work and that you are able to put the bad men and women behind bars while also focusing on protecting our communities. As we talk about police week, i want to make sure we continue to incorporate Community Policing and partnerships so that we do what we all care about, reduce crime and have communities that are safe. With that, chairman, i yield back. Gentlelady yields back. I now recognize myself for five minutes of questioning. Thank you all for being here here today. And i thank the Ranking Member and the chairman, green, for holding this hearing. President bullock, i want the start with you about recruiting and retention. In your testimony, you discussed how your Police Department is 700 officers short. One of the reasons is the the city of austin defunding the Police Department by 150 million. As you mentioned in austins case, political posturing has led to the defunding of countless Police Departments across the United States which has increased crime and eroded Public Safety. Austin continues to be one of americas Fastest Growing cities. As this growth continues, what do you foresee will be some of the impacts on economic development, quality of life for City Residents in austin . I think were already seeing it, quite honestly. Ive had a number of dugs with Business Owners that are discussions with Business Owners that are involved in recruiting new businesses, and Public Safety is one of their biggest issues. People have opted not to come to austin because of the issues that we have seen, in particular with crime and as it relates to a lot of homeless issues and and various other things. But in particular, enforcement and Public Safety is the number one factor that businesses take into account, and were now starting to see People Choose not to come to austin because of the environment thats been created. And these are not just small, these are pretty sizable companies as well, right . Correct. There are businesses of all size. Startups but also Significant Companies as well. What has the impacts of defunding the department had on officer morale . And recruitment and retention . If. I mean, i just the recruiting and retech part, i think, is pretty quantifiable because we have seen every year since this started, in mar back in 2018, we have lost more officers than we have been able to recruit. It has a very definitive impact on those numbers. As far as morale goes, it takes a very heavy toll on officers to try to maintain the same level of experience that our community expects and deserves while at the same time doing it9 with ever diminishing resources. So thats a lot for officers to try the carry as theyre trying to go out and keep the city safe. Absolutely. And just to to trouble down on that, you say youre losing officers but also many your testimony you talk9ed about talked about how texas state troopers have been reassigned from austin to the southern border which also hurts. What impact has that had on Public Safety in austin . The reassignment of state troopers . When they were assigned to be in austin, they had a pretty, they had a notable impact in particular in areas where we had seen increased call volumes, increase in 91 is calls and criminal activity. 911 calls. So an increased presence of state troopers was very beneficial in particular as weve dealt with recent street takeovers, state troopers being able to assist in curbing that issue. And when they left, we saw spikes. A study was actually done as well as it related specifically to traffic fatalities where there was a notable increase that as we dealt with a increased level of patrol activity and Traffic Enforcement we saw it was the around a 60 increase in traffic fatalities that occur as a rack of in you actually just answered my next question. To the reassignment has had a heavy impact on the ability of Austin Police to protect the public because you cant, you dont have enough people responding within ranks. It really does have a negative impact as to what you can do. Somewhere. Absolutely. I appreciate you being here. Deputy commissioner makers i want to ask you a question abouu a question about collaboration playing a crucial role in a number of agencies edges changing information. In what ways does the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security coordinate with state, local and federal Law Enforcement agencies the address security concerns, and how is, how has your experience been working with them . Thank you for the question. We coordinate several different ways. I would say at the fore forefront to is the tennessee fusion center. One of the other witnesses mentioned there are 80 Fusion Centers. Tennessees has one fusion center, and we have state, local and federal partners who participate there. Weve also embedded Tennessee Office of Homeland Security intelligence analysts in the intelligence communities of Police Departments around the state. We found that thats a good way to be present and to learn, for example, we have someone in the memphis Realtime Crime Center that gives us a good idea of whats going on in memphis better than we can as ascertain from cities sitting in nashville. And the if other really important thing the i would say has to do with just personal relationships and investing in those, in those relationships before something bad happens. On the cast day bombing in nashville this in 2020 Christmas Day we were opening presents with my kids, and i got a phone call that a bomb went off in downtown nashville and blew up most of second avenue. When i responded downtown, everyone was there, all the federal partners, all the local ask if state Law Enforcement agencies in the area, and i knew personally the leader of every one of those agencies. We had a met before, discussed responses before. The only one i hadnt met was the agent many charge of atf because hed only been on the job two weeks, right in so those are the ways we cooperate, and we do it daily are. I appreciate it. Of course, im out of time. I now recognize the gentleman from new jersey, many menendez, for ill give you five minutes. Thank you, chairman. I want to begin by thank our witnesses for being here this morning and for the work you and all of your colleagues do every single today to keep our communities safe. And this week and in this committee i want to focus on some of the bipartisan things weve been able to achieve in this congress. Some of it thanks to our cyber subcommittee led by chairman gash reno and Ranking Member swalwell. Deputy commissioner mays, you touched on the importance of collaboration and responding to cyberrelated incidents. How does tennessee Homeland Security support capacitybuilding efforts to ensure that state and local agencies have the resources and expertise to effectively respond to cyberrelated incidents . Thank you for that question, and its many people already know we are in a cyber conflict right now with nationstate actors. There are cyber attack, Ransomware Attacks every day. We partner with the federal government. Were very appreciative of the federal cybersecurity grant. Tennessee has set up a state Cybersecurity Council where we are making decisions that the office of home han security has that a seat at that Homeland Security has a seat at that table where were making decisions on where to put that money to get the best use. We are partnering with one of the innovative things were doing is partnering with our tennessee colleges of applied Technology Trade schools so that we can, we sponsor cybersecurity training so these students coming up learn about cybersecurity training, they get a chance to work with us and could maybe pursue a career in that. The cyber issue is very complex, and its going to take a full nationwide effort every day to be successful there. Yeah. And id love to learn more about that program, or because we talk a lot about a building the pipeline of cybersecurity or professionals because were going to need them at every level of government. So i appreciate the collaboration that youve done there. President bryant, or thank you for your testimony this morning. Given the prevalence of maine. Crises and Law Enforcement interactions, how can agencies better clap rah rate with Mental Health professionals and communitybased organizations to provide appropriate care and support for individuals in crisis . Absolutely. I think that what we have to do is really come to the table and have more in depth conversation on how we can work more collaboratively together. One of the things and, clearly, my colleague can attest to that many of our county jail withs and prisons have now jails and prisons have now become a subset of a meant if aal hospital. And so we have to address that because that, too, has an impact on how we are responding to crime throughout our community. And so having the ability to come together and comp up with a more in depth way to respond to the community will be beneficial. And also be helping of if for you as well by shifting some of those responsibilities away to communitybased organizations or people who are trained professionals in the Mental Health space. Would you agree with that . Absolutely. I think in many instances Law Enforcement officers are just illequipped to address the mental issues that were end encountering on the street. And when it with becomes a bad situation is, it becomes even worse for the community. Well, if you see any best with practices, please come back to us and let us foe so that we can work on them at a federal level. I also a want to touch on a different issue by coming back to you, president bryan. Do you have a great deal of experience working with federal resources for securing events like the 2019 super bowl. In fact, you led the command for both, i believe, is that correct . That is correct. Thank you. I want the talk about your experience with the 2018 College Football playoff which received the second highest potential event assessment read special event assessment reading. That rating brought some federal interagency support to atlanta which helped your Law Enforcement team ensure the safety of everyone at the championship game including the president. The dhs program has never been authorized by congress, but my colleagues from nevada and North Carolina have a bipartisan bill that would authorize the program, streamline the rating processes if make the program more robust. It is obvious to me that its around important tool to help state, local, tribal and territorial Law Enforcement keep these large public gatherings safe for everyone. In the time that we have remaining, what, in your opinion, can congress to support Law Enforcement in these efforts . So to improve upon this, i think, again, having the collaboration of all of our federalfunded state and local entities coming together to address any large scale event is very men potential to the community that we serve. I had the privilege of leading both events and having a strong relationship with our federal partners was very beneficial in insuring both events went off peacefully. I appreciate that. Thank you all again so much, and i yield back. The gentleman yields. I now recognize mr. Desposito are from new york for five minutes of questioning with. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here and thank you for your service to Law Enforcement and to this country. Mr. Bullock, you mentioned that even though you are not a border city, the impact of the biden border crisis has been to counties throughout the country. And and i think we could agree that we witnessed every state become a border with state, every city ard border city. The mayor of the city of new york actually said that the migrant situation would, quote, destroy new york city. So i want to ask you, what impact has the border crisis had specifically on your officers . A few specific examples i had is one weekday because of our staffing crisis we were relying on state troopers to come in and help us in order to support our efforts the tamp down Violent Crime. As a result of whats going down at the border, they were diverted away from helping us in order to help secure the southern border. So that took away Additional Resources that we had as a department to try to the to help the citizens of austinful we also deal with it on a fairly regular basis whether as a victim or a suspect, difficulties in identifying people. We have people who come, and all we get handed in a passport card, a voting card that tells us nothing about where theyre living currently unless and until our officers encounter the difficulties in trying to identify people where they are. And that could be either as a victim or suspects. We do have people who come here illegal illegally that are engaged in both. And, obviously, one of the biggest issues that we as Law Enforcement have, i hi, throughout this i think throughout this country is recruitment and retention. So we clearly understand that the antipolice rhetoric and the inability for many elected officials and Government Agencies across this country to support Law Enforcement and give them the resources that they need has created issues, but what specifically have you seen with regards to the migrant situation and it effect on morale and obviously something important i know theres legislation on the floor this week with regard to Mental Health. What have you seen happen to the morale of your men and women with regards to the issues that your departments facing . I think the number one recruiting as asset that we have are the officers that are currently with the department. And when they dont feel valued and when they dont feel appreciated, its very unlikely theyre going to encourage anyone else to undergo the same mental stress. That a perpetuates the difficulty of peeping keeping people in the profession as well as recruiting people into the profession. Holistically, that thats probably one of the most Significant Impacts that it has, the increased stress levels and the toll it takes on our officers and families, it dissuades others from coming in. That makes it difficult. I would agree. I spent a career in the nypd, and i think were seeing now, you know, fire departments, Police Departments, their careers are generational. And when you see individuals whose grandfathers, fathers and great grandfathers all served in the new york city Police Department and theyre telling their children not to join the ranks, i think that we have a serious issue. Also mentioned in your testimony you talked about the fact that you dont have have a sufficient amount of officers and that your department was previously defunded by 150 million, cut 50 positions and canceled 150 positions and canceled recruitment classes. Obviously, austins not alone. Places across new york luckily not in nassau and suffolk county, but there are members of the city council in new york city who would love nothing more than to defund the nypd. It really goes back to the question that i really have in the last 45 seconds is what can we do better as a democrats, as republicans, as americans . What can we do to help departments . And i know the answer, but i think people need to hear it. What can we do to help Law Enforcement agencies from the big ones like the nypd and the lapd and the small ones, small towns, what can we do to help make sure that you have not only the resources that you need, but you have the officers that you need that want to join your ranksesome. The resources is obviously the biggest thing, support. Making sure that the officers know that the work they do is valid, that the work they do has a meaning to it and that another member mentioned it earlier that officers arent too interested in politics. We want to go out and do our job, and we want to be able to do that without being used as political pawns. And thats what we deal with with rogue prosecutorses and in a variety of different ways. The support is the biggest thing as well as quite honestly addressing some of the things, we may not if have an issue if funding were taken away if responsibilities were taken away with it. It may not be as big of an issue. My times expired, but i appreciate all of you. I value you, i appreciate you, and i hope you all stay safe. I yield back. Gentleman yields. Mr. Suozzi, gentleman from new york. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Let me start by welcoming my colleague, senator tim kennedy, nowcongressman kennedy, to washington of hes done a fantastic job for new york state, and i know hell do a fantastic job here in the United States congress, and hes going to make a lot of friends here because of the seriousness with which he takes his job. I want to thank all the witnesses for being here today. We really appreciate the time youve taken to help educate us. I know you listen to a lot of this stuff back and forth, and you wonder what makes sense. Theres people trying to score political points on both sides, and weve got to start working together more to solve the problems we face in our country. And weve really got to all support Law Enforcement. I was the mayor with of a small citying, and i was the county executive of Nassau County where i oversaw the 11th Largest Police force in the United States of america where we are rediced the crime rate reduced the crime a rate to the lowest in the nights in a city of 500,000. I know the challenges youre facing because of all of the attacks made on Law Enforcement over the years. Its not fair, its not right. There are people trying to do their jobs. One of the dumbest statements thats ever been created anywhere in our countries that is misused to so often is this defund the police. Its an awful, terrible idea. If anything, i think most people in the United States congress agree we need to figure out how to get more money to Law Enforcement. And i think that there are extremists on both sides. Some people that want to defund the police, other people want the defund the fbi, people want to cut the cops program. We need to get. Maria money to Law Enforcement, and i think most people on both sides of the aisle believe on that, believe in that. Do we need to fund the police . Yes. Is Mental Health a problem . Mr. Bryan was just saying, ive read 75 of the people in jail have a drug, alcohol or Mental Health problem. 75 of the people in jail have a drug, alcohol or Mental Health problem, and those are problems we need to address earlier in life before everything blow withs up into a crisis. We need to go after bad actors. Are there bad actors in the Police Department . Yeah, there are. But the large, large, overwhelming majority of Law Enforcement officials are good people trying to do the right thing to make the world a better place to live in, and our society would not exist without the good work of laurel. In thanking you with, im thanking everybody you represent in Law Enforcement. So what can we do in the federal government . One size is not going to fit all. Youve got places with heavy drugs where they want to carry, like mr. Jimenez was saying, ar15s and body a armor, and youve got little, small town as well. One of the great things that i happened was had was the cops program. We could get a grant to bring more cops in for our local Police Department. It was a fantastic program. I want to know, would you support the idea of funding for grants to hire more officers or buy equipment or do whatever you think is right for your d. . Would you hike to see the federal government provide more money for Law Enforcement . Ill just can you with all quickly are. Would you like to see more money from the federal government for Law Enforcement . Yes, sir, absolutely. Mr. Chapman . Of course. Mr. Bullock . Absolutely. Mr. Bryant . Yes. We all agree. We need more money for Law Enforcement. I cant talk about all of the things, but one of the things we can do at the federal level in addition to providing funding is to try and address laws that would fill holes thats exist in some communities. Many mays, i was vest mr. Mays, it sounds like you support red flag laws, the idea of a Police Officer if or a Family Member or somebody being able to go before a Law Enforcement official like a judge and say, listen, this person should really not have a gun. We need to take this gun away from that person. Go through due process, go through a procedure but havings professionals testify and take guns away from people that shouldnt have guns. You believe in red flag laws . I dont uses the term red flag laws because its loaded language that gets people all upset. But extreme Risk Protection orders, the ability to take a weapon with due process available with due process. From someone who is mentally ill or unstable or we believe has capability and intent, the governor of tennessee proposed Something Like that. It didnt go, so i would answer, yes, but with different words. And the words you use are high say it again . Extreme Risk Protection if orders. So i know you have extreme Risk Protection orders type of laws already in virginia, many chapman, so im not going to ask you. Mr. Bullock, you dont have those in texas. Do you think we should have that on a nationwide basis . I believe theres value in providing layers. In texas, one of the things that was mentioned, if we do place somebody in an emergency commitment due to Mental Health, we have the ability to seize a firearm, but its temporary. It only lasts for maybe a week depending on circumstances. But the ability to make sure that individuals we know are at risk dont have access to weapons, i think, is valuable. Itd be great if we had extreme Risk Protection laws nationwide, i believe. I just wanted to try and get some support from the different witnesses. Thank you so much. Appreciate your time. I yielding back, much. Gentleman yields. I now recognize mr. Higgins for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I thank our panelists for being here today. Im honoredhumbled to be a honored and humbles to be a brother of the thin blue lines. Long ago, as a younger man, i served in the United States army as a military Police Officer and then later in life as a civilian Police Officer in my home state of louisiana for many years. I maintained my post certification through the Louisiana State attorney generals office, so im a cop as i sit in front of you today. This is a week in washington, d. C. , this bizarre realm of washington, d. C. Where theres the a great cacophony of support across, a across the political spectrums of Law Enforcement that youll hear in political testimony and agendadriven questions like how to trick panelists into supporting red flag laws where in a limited amount of Time Available you just dont have the time or the venue here to go into it. As to why we oppose such things. And the actual existence of, mr, but in the state of louisiana we have the authority of Law Enforcement to take guns out of houtss all the teem houses all the time under protective order, under the investigation of an ongoing criminal education9 allegations. And that property receipt is turned over to the spouse or whatever. Sometimes at the request of the spouse, you remove firearms from a residence. These laws and protections already exist. The problem is when you force them from the federal government into the sovereign states and municipalityies this is where you have major issues and infringement of Second Amendment rights. So moving on, mr. Bullock, youre from austin, texas, correct, sir . Yes, sir. And i would like for you to speak, if you dont mind, regarding the impact of the border crisis. Youre a couple hundred miles from the border there. And we know, of course, that the invasion at the southern border, the disintegration of our sovereignty at the southern border has affected the entire country. But would you speak to the impact many your community that the in your community that the border crisis has had in your city, your Police Department . Its had an impact not just from a resource aspect, our population continues to grow through a variety of different circumstances, but weve relied upon the state to help us and the states resources have had to be diverted to the southern border. We also have issues when it comes to identifying individuals, when it comes to following up when people report crimes or commit crimes about response to complaints, 911 calls, response times . They continue to go i. Weve struggled with that for several year withs now. So your citizenry, does it cost them to have access to Police Assistance for things like domestic disturbances, breakins, burglaries, etc. , suspicious people on their property, things of that nature . Are they, are they having to wait because your officers and your deputies in your community are doing other stuff . Either wait or not get a response at all. There are numerous instances unfortunately, its happening across the country. Sheriff chapman, would you, in my remaining 30 seconds, sir, would you touch on the impact of the cartel pipelines, Human Trafficking and and Drug Trafficking into your communities . I would say as i mentioned before, the biggest problem that weve seen there is the fentanyl problem which is ill a packing us, or impacting us, starting to impact our community at a younger ageses, and i think thats the biggest, the biggest aspect thats represented by the open borders there with an increase in that that. So we are starting to see that. I think our crime rates starting to tick up a little bit, but were still doing pretty good in our particular area. But it does concern me, the open boards and the impact its having across the country. Certainly, its very significant, but in our community were still doing well. Thank you, sheriff. Mr. Chairman, my time has expired. Gentleman yield withs. I now recognize mr. Kennedy can, the gentleman from new york, for five minutes of questioning. Thank you thank you very much. First of all, chairman green and Ranking Member thompson, thank you for holding this hearing today. Also id like to recognize the service of congressman donald payne jr. Who passed away far too soon a few weeks ago, served on this committee so nobly. And leaves behind an incredible legacy for over a decade. He honorably served and fought for his constituents in newark with, new jersey. Newark, new jersey. Yesterday, may 14th, was the second anniversary of the Tops Supermarket shooting in buffalo, new york, my hometown, an attack that struck the heart of our city and really of our nation. A racist, white supremacist gunman came to buffalo armed with an ara 15 style rifle covered in kiss gusting racist messages disgusting racist messages and attacked citizens that were simply going to the supermarket on a beautiful saturday afternoon. Taking 10 beautiful souls. While it was streamed online in over a matter of minutes. One of the victims was lieutenant aaron salter jr. , e tired buffalo Police Officer working at tops as an armedded security guard. And when the shooter came in, lieutenant salter didnt hesitate and returned fire, hitting his target. But because of the enhanced body armor, the shooter was unharmed and murdered lieutenant salter. Lieutenant aaron salter jr. s courageous actions bought precious second for store patrons and employees to escape, saving lives at the expense of his own. And he serves as a true testament to the sacrifices that Police Officers make for their communities, and were grateful for his historic actions. I also want to recognize all Law Enforcement, this being National Police week. The grandson of a buffalo Police Officer myself, i recognize the sacrifice that families make on a daily basis as their loved ones go off and put themselves in harms way. I want to talk about enhanced body armor. And i have questions for our panelists. And i thank the panelists for your testimony today and your lifelong commitment to protecting our streets across this country. As i described the situation that a played out in buffalo over two years ago, we know that lieutenant aaron salter jr. Died a hero and invited everything that Police Officers across the mission stand for. He used his training to help others. Because of that body armor, he was unable to stop the perpetrator in that moment. I would like to ask each of you in your respective capacities do you believe that enhanced body armor should have been readily available for citizens who are not Law Enforcement . Thank you for the question, congress congressman. Its something i have been considered before. I would suppose there are opinions on both sides. Body armor also provides safety for people who are doing shooting sports. I would hesitate to say people cant have it, but i dont have a clear answer for you on that. This would be enhanced body armor, level three body armor, militarystyle grade. Again, i dont have an answer for you. If thank you. Sheriff . Thats an interesting question, and i dont know if i have an answer either although if somebodys going to purchase that, it would certainly be nice for us to know and have that Information Available in the event that we have to encount that person at a later time. Thank you. Im cupid of in the were all in a a similar boat, im going to imagine, where its not a question thats yet been posed. Were here, obviously, to protect peoples rights and their ability to purchase what is legal for them to do so. But, obviously, its concerning when it impedes our ability to enforce the law. So i think theres a balance that has to be found. I would agree that more conversation would need to be had as it relates to it. It is concerning when people can use that level of equipment in a criminal act. I yield my tame. Thank you. Gentleman yields. I now recognize the chairman of the counterterrorism southbound committee, mr. Pfluger, the gentleman from texas, for five minutes of questioning. The thank you, mr. Chairman. And as well as the Law Enforcement subcommittee and especially this week i want to say thank you to all those who serve, sheriff, and all of you in your respective jobs as part of the Law Enforcement community. Thank you. I think one of the reasons that were having this hearing is to express our appreciation, the make sure that the even in some communities where Law Enforcement may not if feel as appreciated and, mr. Bullock, i talked to you about that specifically in austin, texas, what we want to do today is to say a thank you across the nation to our Law Enforcement personnel, to the families that support them and allow them to put that uniform on every single day to protect and serve. And i know that that when i spoke to our Sheriffs Department and Police Department, those that are dp if s troopers just on monday, thats exactly what i told them was thank you for the service that you all do. Mr. Bullock, ill start with you. We have a tragedy of untold and immeasurable negative as aspects thats unfolding at our southern border for the past three and a half years. This committee in particular has held multiple hearings on that. What id like to ask you is in austin, texas, tell us about the impact of transnational criminal organizations, cartel activity, Human Trafficking, Drug Trafficking. How has that impacted austin, texas . Well, i think as the sheriff mentioned earlier as a well with about the influx of new drugs is a major concern as well as when you talk about Human Trafficking and organized crime activity. Theyre very resourceintensive investigations. And, unfortunately, those are resource pros we lack at the moment resources we lack at the moment which impedes our ability to fully investigate if and if leads to a likelihood that were not going to be able to investigate everything. So my concern overall is as you deal with more complex crime, as you deal with an influx of individuals who are engaged in criminal activity and very serious when youre talking about trafficking individuals that we dont have the resources to appropriately interdict is and stop that kind of activity. And there was a lack of political will as well inside Travis County, specifically inside austin. Has that been reversed . Do you feel supported by local leaders as far as the prosecution goes of these crimes that youre referencing . Youve raffish a time as a dea agent. Ill ask the same question when it comes to fiddle and other illicit drugs come across a southern border, how has impacted you, the job youre in now . The community you serve and then you give us an idea of what this looks like over the past couple of years, 20 years in your time in service. And how bad is it right now . I mentioned before i served all over the country but i served in miami back in the 1980s and the worst of the drug problems back then as a special agent. Its worse not because we had i believe over 100,000 people who died from overdoses. The tragedy associated with it in a different way, its not organizations compete for product share. Its just people dying because they are being fed this fentanyl. Fentanyl. I can tell you in Loudoun County we are very proactive. Weve had several fentanyl forms. Routes all the time working with schools, doing every thing we. I mention weve had, were seeing a decrease in the ages of people that are using fentanyl or overdoses are trying to go down to the teenage level which we had not seen a couple years ago. Now its almost all pure fentanyl. It does really concern me, and a look at the problem nationally and that always come when y presentations i say if you were too full of Washington Commanders stadium, every single one of the seats probably still wouldnt have the amount of people died from overdoses last year. It is critical we address this issue. Weve got to be proactive with the education. Nor can and does things that we do that were active on, but also told these people accountable and stop whatever we can at the border because do think theres accountability at the border right now . I think it is a porous border so no, no, i dont think wee having accountability down there. To our other witnesses im sorry with enough time to come to you. Thank you for being here and i will reiterate thank you to all that served, all those who serve and their families for sacrificing so much for the safety of our communities. It is my sincere hope weevil actually get back to accountability. With that, mr. Chairman, i yield. I now recognize a gentlelady from georgia ms. Greene for five minutes of questioning. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I would like to thank you all for coming to are committed today and thank you for the job that you do. Today i like to begin by honoring please also my district who died in the line of duty after being exposed to fentanyl during an arrest. Corporal Christopher Jackson died, spent his life in service to our nation and to the community of northwest georgia. He committed 12 years of service to the army, followed by many years of Law Enforcement in walker county. In november 2020, the court was conducting an arrest with his exposed to fentanyl. The arrest tragically resulted, resulted in his passing away from a heart attack associated with the fentanyl exposure. This week we honor him along with many of the brave men and women who have died in the line of duty serving our communities. Their commitment to the jobs should always be remembered. Fentanyl is number one killer of americans between the ages of 1845. Kills proximally 300 american today every day in counties throughout the 14th district from 20192022 192022, fentanyl deaths increased by over 350 . This is something i know you just deal with far too often. According to the georgia Narcotics Association approximately seven out of ten pills on the street are laced with fentanyl, come across the southern border. Id like to ask each of you is this something that traveled to do with as well . Thank you. Yes. Short answer is yes. The drug problem youre speaking of is prevalent in tennessee along with a Human Trafficking elephant. That is a part of the also. Yeah, absolutely. The porous border is basically because for all the fentanyl going through the United States. Austen is something we deal with on a daily basis all throughout the day. Fentanyl is an issue that Law Enforcement the gita with threat country. Thank you for that. Also, for many years in the past we used your young men and women say they wanted to be a a pole officer when they grew up. But, unfortunately, were not hearing that as much anymore. Law enforcement agencies across the country experienced a a we of retirements and departures and are struggling to recruit the next generation of Police Officers in the years following the blm and antifa riots when we saw Police Attacked night after night continuously all summer. Over 93 Police Police cars were burned and over 2 billion in damages were brought in to reduce all over america. The right upper of retiree Department Rose 45 with the Previous Year according to research on nearly 200 Law Enforcement agencies. At the same time hiring slowed by 5 . The wave had come as local lawmakers and federal lawmakers pledged to enact reforms on police such as ending the policy to give officers immunity for the actions while on duty. Studies show theres been a 44 increase in retirements and an 18 increase in resignations in Police Departments. An atlanta the department has been down 400500 officers the past three years. One officer left alanna said basically we are one bullet away from death, and one mistake way from indictment. So why will the dice with my future when i i can go do Something Else . These are the saddest statements i think we can hear coming from Police Officers, feeling they are forced into retirement because no one is supporting them on the job. In the exit interviews many cited Defund Movement and lack of support from local elected officials as of the reason for leaving their departments and the Law Enforcement completely. But now with the Biden Administrations open border policies its open our border to tens of millions of people from over 160 countries all over the world and a steady flow of human and Drug Trafficking. Police and america are on the front line spacing you and staggering dangers in every community all over america. Id like to again ask each of you, can you tell us is a difficult to hire new recruits to be Police Officers . I would say to give your brief answer that the difficulties you are describing are similar issues, are being faced in tennessee or Law Enforcement agencies across the state. I cant speak for nationally, which i think youve spoken for, which is a problem. Loudoun county were doing pretty well and a lot of that has to with the fact im an elected official source for Sheriffs Office. Even though im elected official, im not, we want an apolitical shop and we support the constitution, and thats what we do. I dont have political agendas driving what we do in the Law Enforcement community. It works out well for our community. Im happy to hear that. In austin and in major cities across texas yes, we did with those issues. As a matter fact we tend to lose officers for our department and go to explore department because it has a more positive environment that they feel supported in and want to go there. I spoke to the chief recently as relates to atlanta Police Department and they are seeing improvements as it relates to recruitment. Having discussion with other Police Chiefs throughout the country, what we are seeing as numbers begin to stabilize and unique effort to recruit and challenge differently in your spaces of equipment. Hopefully, were all hopeful. I so helpful. I think support of our Police Officers is most important thing we can do, especially as elected officials. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I yield back. Gentlelady yields. I now recognize mr. Luttrell for five minutes thank you, mr. Chairman as we are, the thin blue line of Police Officers who serve this great country and a country at the best way to say thank you where so the world can understand it. In a military mr. Crane and the chairman for deployed overseas and if you were in the past 20 years when we are fighting in multiple areas. They throw other body armor, grab your rifle, go out to the wire, to do the things they do, they come home. The redeployed back to the United States to take him off, able to relax. Able to spend time with the fans come able to repatriate and cooldown. And i think what is lost sometimes is that the minute women that where the shield wake up every morning, it just their loved ones goodbye and a walk up that front door with a badge and a weapon systems and data point out the front door every single day. Now you hear the statistics in the military of the mental cognitive and a physical struggles of combat and what that does to the human body. Those are six months at a time. Over ten to 20 years due to multiple the fonz, five, six, ten and then expected to come back and theres healing process. Theres a offramp to the Law Enforcement officers. Ten, 20, 30, 40 years you deployed out your front door every single day two of the single conflict in your area. You know the most astonishing thing people dont realize . 339 people in the continental United States have your phone number. My seven year yearold sonr phone number and if something goes wrong, hes going to call you and you will respond. I think what is happening is the narrative has changed in a way that Law Enforcement has in some ways become the bad guys and girls, and then it breaks my heart to say that. I dont believe that but something kind of resonates with immediate social media platform to see and the defund the police it how does this happen . At peabody has about actor, editor has a bad day. People do stupid things and you blame the entire establishment for a bad day at the office . You see that debated in this committee here today and in congress and in your local enforcement agencies. But i think we need to take a step back and he American Public can understand there is a thin blue line is something thats very real. Its those men and women that no matter the circumstances, no matter what you see, everyday, no matter what you hear, the matter what you feeling heart. You know how amazing it would be if you take your eyes and put in the American Public eyes and your ears in your heart and say now you see what i see. Now you hear what i hear. Now you feel what i feel. Im coming for you to help you regardless, and you may hate me every second of the way but ill be there for you. Its just tragic in a way that Law Enforcement should be the most revered asset in our nation because you were there to save our lives. You were there to do the things most people dont want to do. You go running in that direction, and thats the best i can say thank you. I hope it resonates with you. I dont have any questions for you. As it gets, it will always get worse before it gets better, as the only thing i ask is you dont leave. You dont walk away from us, as hard as he gets and the funding goes up and down and people do the things that they do, but every time you go home and you see your loved ones and your kids and you say man, this is the worst day of my entire life. The next morning and do it again. Because if you dont, i dont even know where to go with that. But god bless each and everyone if you and thank you. I yield back. Gentleman yields. I this fun transition i now recognize myself for five minutes. We want to thank all of you again for being here. Sincere gratitude for what you do, what you believe in, the rule of law, the services that are provided to this country, what you represent. We are your courage. We honor those who have lost their lives doing what i can imagine. You know, its one thing to leave your family for extended reach of time. Its another thing to leave her family knowing when you walk out the door whether or not that the days circumstances while you to reenter the family dynamic. This week were mechanized Law Enforcement and police during police week, and we acknowledge these challenges. Our nation is facing a crisis because of a culture of lawlessness thats been advanced because of a belief system thats taken hold. Its a rebellious type atmosphere that highest leaders of our country are bolstering because we are not in solidarity standing up for the respect of authority, respect of the rule of law. And we see this with the defund the Police Movement thats just wreaking havoc. As ive listened this morning, you all talk about your equipment, lack of ability to encourage for just the loss of morale knowing the people from the highest positions of authority have your back. Specifically what i hear in oklahoma is our flawed of drugs they come into this country with this heightened because of whats happened at the southern border. Oklahoma, sadly, we had, a petition under the guise of Recreational Marijuana brought marijuana in oklahoma. Im not proud of this stat. I dont think there is a majority that youll find theres pride missed in oklahoma is that we ask for more marijuana than any other state because of this Ballot Initiative that came in. It ties in to the cartel ceasing the format for sending drugs into our state. Let me do this, for sheriff chapman and president bullock, how has this problem of drugs flowing in affected you . And what you are seeing. We had to address the community directly with regards to the overdoses that we saw at the school. We indict overdoses in about three weeks of students that were affiliated, or the students at the school. Four of which happen in the school. Three of which required narcan, to mecca which required cpr. It was quite serious. What we find is is that theres reluctant to try to get that information out. We did our own press release and it caused a little bit of a stir up what they did was it really prompted the governor to merely put an executive order and required 24 hour notification of two parents of that school in the event that somebody overdosed. That was then later put forward as legislation, and it didnt really pass the weight should a past with the 20 fundoplication, which was taken at which was a whole purpose of the bill. But it does impact as in the sense that as i as a mentid earlier we are seeing younger people doing this. We want to protect her children to make sure we have got a safe community. Thats my biggest concern is with the fentanyl, the proliferation of it, the availability of it and the impact its having on our use. Mr. Bullock, can i transition . I have a question i think that i can help me move the narrative given limited time. You talked about the morale issue. I think earlier today you talk about since 2080 you had a loss of more officers then you have the ability to recruit them. So number one, which you speak to out defund the policeman has impacted the morale . And then talk about the dollar loss that youve also seen thats contributed. Well, i would say its all tied together because the defund the movement as well as the taking away of money from our Department Overall means we speak when you say when you talk about the loss of funding, specifically you are addressing your state, having the state of texas having to shift resources to secure our southern border billions of dollars federal responsibility. That has had an impact because the state is a longer trip you financially as a were priced. Thats a correct characterization. When you talk about the defund the movement overall, a lot of it ties into Everything Else youre talking about india people do not support officers when youre trying to force law. So the rest they make are tossed out by prosecutors as a people point it refinish. No accountability or criminal activity and so theres a perpetuation of crime thats going on and is leading to new type of intervention and that ties in directly with fentanyl overdoses. It ties in with officers being exposed to delta substances and that all has a dramatic effect on our offices fields are able to do the job. Almost to the comment of well, whats the point . Thank you so very much. I think when you sit in a chair you could yield more time but i would not do that to my call for next thank you for asking this question is. With that i will yield the german from arizona, eli crane, his fiveminute. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, gentlemen for coming today. Thank you for your service. I also want to say thank you to the men and women you have represented a period i want to take a minute to honor the courage and resilience of my constituent, Sergeant Preston brockton. The sergeant a former marine veteran and a member of a police force and Yavapai County was shot and a line of duty a little over two years ago. He is a true hero. In the face of danger, sergeant brockton self is a place himself in harms way to protect his community. His unwavering commitment to duty was evident on that fateful day in 2020 when he was shot narrowly escaping a potentially fatal wound. Following months the with searches and physical therapy, he inspired many on who to recovery but his road has not been easy and he continues to navigate what comes next for him and his family. He was recently fired by the yavapai apache nation Police Department. Despite facing this adversity he remained steadfast in his recovery, demonstrating remarkable strength and determination. I bring him up today because i dont want his story to be forgotten. Folks like preston who sacrificed for our safety need to know that we stand with them, especially when things get messy. I met all of his recovery and resilience, and its should serve as a shining example to us all. His legacy of courage and boldness will forever be remembered with on and gratitude. Honor and gratitude. We talked about this on this panel, gentlemen, about red flags laws and even whether or not the citizens of this country should be allowed to have body armor. So i got a question for you, and i apologize, but do you guys believe that the Constitutional Rights of americans should be dismissed when it increases the Operational Efficiency and safety protections for Law Enforcement . Mr. Mays, im going to start with your. No. I do not. Thank you. Mr. Chapman . Im sorry, could you repeat the question . Do you believe the Constitutional Rights of americans should be dismissed when it increases the Operational Efficiency and safety protections of Law Enforcement . No. Im sworn to uphold the constitution. Mr. Bullock . Isac with the same thing. We take an oath is will to uphold the constitution. Mr. Bryant . I agree. We have a responsibility to the constitution. The reason i bring that up is because i constantly hear arguments, usually come from the other side, and often i think they are well intended, its this constant pushpull we deal with appear, whether were talking about firearms, whether were talking about body armor, which is i heard about today,r whether what i got fisa and whether or not Battle System should be reform, to challenge you gentlemen as i think you earlier for your service to make sure were not come as subject Matter Experts and people that are often lindon for their advice when it comes to protecting american citizens, that we hold those Constitutional Rights paramount even though at times it makes it harder for you to do your job. And i and i want to yield b. Thank you, mr. Chairman. The gentleman yield. I now recognize Ranking Member thompson from closing remarks. Thank you very much, mr. Cha. Let me thank our witnesses for your expert testimony. I think what you do every day reflects very clearly and what you shared with us. I can say that for the democrats on this committee we have never ever voted against Law Enforcement. The Nonprofit Program for churches and houses of worship, legislation we promoted. And we started off with the just synagogues, but then we made available to mosques and just other houses of worship in general because we have a fundamental belief that in america as you want to be safe. And whether im a muslim or a jew or a christian, in our mind you should be safe. The other thing is, is the training that was talked about today is absolutely essential here in addition to being a hunter im a volunteer fireman. I used to show up on scenes in mutual aid, and equipment that we had didnt match the equipment that the department we were backing up. Sheriff, i know you can appreciate this. We used to have frequencies that certain departments would have that the others didnt have, and so weve come a long way, especially after 9 11. We have said that First Responders have to have the ability to communicate. So if theres the police, fire, or whomever, they should be talking to each other. The public expects and assume that thats whats happening anyway. Well, in 20 plus years we have made that happen because we see it, law for. Him if want federal monies, you are going to have to solve the interoperability problem. And so thats helped. 9 11, the police in new york had difficulty communicating with the fire department. We lost a lot of people. We have invested a lot. The c. O. P. S. Program, wonderful program. We have used it in my district, and it continues to work. The Fusion Centers you talked about. It is clear those Fusion Centers we created here in congress and worked with state and locals, and now they are an integral part of how we protect and serve the general public. If you want a real fight, you talk about doing away with them. The last thing, i cant stress, training. Training is absolutely essential. We need to share facilities in the training. I encourage you to do that. To mr. Bryant, comments, we have to do a better job of recruiting everyone into Law Enforcement. It cant just be a particular group. Law enforcement, they all are protecting americans and upholding the constitution. The constitution ive been told is colorblind in the application of the law that creates the problem. And if we do it in that respect, i think we all will be better because of it. So we thank you all for your testimony. My comments about january 6th were twofold. I was in the capital on january 6th and could not get out almost four hours because of what was happening. The only way most of us survived was because of Law Enforcement presence in the capital protecting those of us who weree just trying to certify an election. But i also had the responsibility for cheering the january 6th select committee. I tried to present a picture of exactly what happened. Didnt take sides, but also in Law Enforcement you just, just the facts. We try to present the facts and thats what we did and ultimately we presented the report. I think you should people who break the law, i dont care who they are, they are not hostages. They are crooks, felons, and if theyre so adjudicated in they go to jail. Plain and simple. So apart from that the agae think the witnesses for your expert presentation, and if we have any questions we will submit them for your response. Thank you much. Gentleman yields. Now for the chairmans closed remarks. Let me just say again thank you on behalf of the committee for your time. And thank you again for what you represent. I think most of us see, i heard it even recently, you know, in the last few moments, the rule of law, respect for authority. I heard an interesting statistic this last weekend, and i read it actually, American First Policy Institute has a quote, a commentary about the likelihood and then just falling under the thought pattern of respective authority. Even on the microcosm of Family Dynamics, the fatherlessness in homes produces 20 times more likely in incarceration. Somebody is going to do something that will be to incarceration, some crying. 70 of of those that are addicted to drugs come from a fatherless home. So we have a cultural shift that has to happen in this country of, from the lowest level of as a teaching within a Family Dynamics about respect of authority, understanding and authority doing what authority should do. Number one, to love people within the family, showing the responsibility of it in return the children then respond with respect to authorities. Got a cultural dynamic that has to change in america, and ive been convinced of those of us whove had the platform support for Law Enforcement begins with family first. I think you all deal with that day after day. And for those who are having to deal with the aftereffects of a culture thats missing the mark on this, thank you for what you do. Thank you for your brother and sister in arms that it paid the ultimate sacrifice. With that, the neighbors of this committee have some additional questions for the witness, we would ask the witness to respond to these in writing. Pursuant to give a rule 70 the hearing record will be open for ten days. And without objection this committee stands adjourned. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]todayl of jim crow, Charles Hamilton houston and the to brown versus board of education. 1954. So today well talk a little bit about this major figure africanamerican history