Comcast supports cspan as Public Service along with tse other Television Providers giving you a frontrow seat to testimony democracy. Up next state and local Law Enforcement officials talk about the challenges facing their local agencies, some of the topics covered include gun violence, workforce recruitment and retention and the ongoing fentanyl crisis. They testify before the House Homeland Security committee chaired by congressman mark greene at the start of the hearing there was a moment of silence for new jersey congressman 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 begin todays hearing, i would like to take a moment to recognize the loss of our dear friend to all on this committee congressman donald payne, jr. , congressman payne was a fierce advocate for the people of new jerseys tenth district, his legacy along with his fathers legacy will serve as a reminder to us all of what it means to be a public servant. I really appreciate working with congressman on the cancer caucus, he was a fierce fighter against that disease. I now recognize for a moment the Ranking Member, Ranking Member hampton to honor the life and legacycy of representative payn . This morning we rememberng te life of don payne, jr. , he was a union worker, toll collector, he literally kept the bus of essex county, new jersey running on time. He was an 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 lo set full of bow ties and as sharp as his suits congressman payne brought people together. He gave a voice to the voiceless. He never waived, he never backed town, while he mourn the loss of our colleague and friend, we know hisw 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 offered amply named the Homeland Security for children act, the department of Homeland Security must plan for childrens unique needs during disasters. His legacy lives on in the hearts of his wife b and lives on in the Bright Futures of his children, the triplets, donald, jack and ivonne. Congressman payne served washington, d. C. But his heart never left newark southward. Congressman donald payne, jr. ,of leaves legacy to be proud of, my he rest in power and rest in peace, i yield back. I ask that the members of this committee join me in observing a moment of silence to honor the congressman paynes memory. [silence] thank you. The purpose of our hearing today is to receive testimony from state and t local law enforceme, officers in the hurdles that their Law Enforcement agenciest face in keeping our communities safe, i now recognize myself for an Opening Statement. Good morning, we are here to honor and recognize Law Enforcement officers nationwide during National Police week. While our nation has always been grateful to our men and women of Law Enforcement, beginning in 1962 we officially began recognizing the bravery, sacrifice and unwavering acommitment 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 theres a saying that service is the rent we pay for living on our men and women who protect us daily and pay the ultimate service and far 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 acmichael jensen and lieutenant county Sheriffs Office in new york were both shot and killed while attempting to locate a subject who had led officers on a vehicle pursuit. Officer jensen had served the Syracuse Police department two and a half years and he is survived by parents and sister. Lieutenant served with the county Sheriffs Office for 16ty years. He is survived by his wife and three children. I know for them and their colleagues this loss is incomprehensible. In early may 4 Law Enforcement officers were killed in charlotte, North Carolina while attempting to serve a warrant to a convicted felon and four more were injured, a former durham based Marshals Service task force offered stated that he cannotem remember in 35year career when eight officers were attacked in one incident. From 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, the allow abiding citizens by holding law breakers accountable and let the level of accountability serve as deterrence to others. Tough prosecutions, proper sentencing are not only examples of Holding Criminals Accountable for their actions but they send a message that federal, state and local jurisdictions will do what is necessary to protect their citizens. Even more important this action will communicate our appreciation and commitment to equipping them with the resources required to fulfill their duties. Increasing crime rates and obstacles prosecuting criminals are challenging enough but dealing with difficulties without adequate men power and funding adds to the burden that Law Enforcement agencies across the nation are confronting. Law enforcement agencies are not only grappling with unprecedented challenges and recruiting new personnel but are also contending with attrition rates and budget reductions, these factors hinder Law Enforcement agencies ability to fulfill obligation to safeguard americans and obstruct Police Departments nationwide from assessing the necessary resources to enhance their officer training and so doing these factors also increase the risk to the men and women of blue or in blue that risk all for us every day. By reducing Law Enforcementaw budgets Police Departments will face the tough decision of either lowering standards or being unable to fulfill their hiring requirements. This committee plays a Critical Role in overseeing the department of Homeland Security which aims to assist state and local tribal territorial Law Enforcement agencies and ensuring the safety, security and resilience of our communities. We continue to focus on ensuring that information is efficiently shared between the federal government and state and local Law Enforcement agencies to combat the wide varied of threats from criminals and terrorists, different parts ofid our country have their own unique challenges when it comes to dealing with crime, its important that c we ensure to ds is properly supporting moat metropolitan and Rural Communities as they confront these challenges. Today i hope we can examine the way Law Enforcement officers agencies and identify to improve and resources provided by dhs are effective in assisting Law Enforcement to carry out important mission. Lastly, its crucial that as a nation we regain respect for the men and women in Law Enforcement who serve our communities and who pay themm ultimate sacrifice for our protections. 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 communities, thank you again to our a witness 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. Kennedy from new york to congress and to our committee, i look forward to working with you and i will say that your addition here takes us to 7 members from new york. I think you are now 21 of this committee, so not sure what that means but we are glad to have you. It actually reflects back to the start of this committee and really what started it all. So we are very glad to have you. I now recognize the ranking lamember, the gentleman from mississippi mr. Thompson for his Opening Statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I want to thank our panel of witnesses for being here today and for their service to our country. In honor of National Police week i also want to recognize incredible contributions, Law Enforcement and honor those bravee officers who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe. Our nation is forever in their debt. Today the committee is meetingio to examine how congress can support state and local Law Enforcement, this is an important question. National police week is of great importance but congressional support more Law Enforcement is about more than attending a ceremony or wearing a blue ribbon and supporting Law Enforcement not just 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 forr defunding the fbi or certan members threat to cut off funding for dh serving because they have political disagreements with the Biden Administration. Its about keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who seek to harm our communities, our kids, our houses of worship, our super markets, our gathering places and the police sworn to protect all of us and its about honoring the heroic Law Enforcement officers, capitol police, metropolitan police and others who protected and defended this very capitol and everyone in it on january 6th, 2021. While extreme major republicans tried to cut funding and undermine trust in Law Enforcement, democrats are committed to providing federal state, local, tribal and territorial Law Enforcement with funding and support to even our communities safe. Democrats have made historic investments in Public Safety, Law Enforcement, School Security, gun violence prevention and nonprofit security for churches, synagogues and school. As a result, Violent Crime has dropped across nearly every category during the Biden Administration. We are proud of doing right by Law Enforcement but recognize more remains to be done. 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 how we can encourage Police Forces to recruit diverse candidates including people of color and women because Police Forces work best when they reflect the communities they serve, again, i thank the witnesses for joining us today and express my appreciation for all the men and women of Law Enforcement who serve communities across america withf honor and integrity. Those words have been and will continue to be backed up by action. Before i 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 yorkers serving on this panel as already been said, mr. Kennedy it is the only one that represents a district in western new york. The district is d located on the u. S. Canada border and has multiple international crossings including the peace bridge. I know he will be actively engaged on Northern Borders issues and we welcome it. Mr. Kennedy also recently chaired the new York State SenateTransportation Committee which will be invaluable to his service on this committees transportation and maritime subcommittee. We look him and we wish you well. With that, mr. Chairman, i yield back. Thank you, sir. Other members to have committee are reminded that Opening Statements are submitted for ths record. I ask that our witnesses please rise and raise their right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony that youre about to give on[w Homeland Security in e United States house of representatives will be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Threat record reflect that the witnesses have answered in the i affirmative, thank you, you may be seated. I would like to formerly introduce our witnesses, thees honorary gregory may serve as the Department Prior to his appointment with the United States secret Service Serving in a variety of roles to expand 25year and following naval flight, pleated multiple deployments including numerous missions in support of operation desert storm. Chair mike chapman, was reelect today his fourth term in 2023,le he direct it is largest full service Sheriffs Office in Common Wealth of virginia and employs and serves population of approximately 447,000 residents inol an area of 519 square mile. Sheriff chapman has been leader of proactive and successful Law Enforcement and community engagementsu programs. During tenure major crime decreased 37 , greatest reduction of any jurisdiction in the washington metropolitan area. He has also successfully led efforts in addressing the heroin anddd most recently fentanyl problems that have impacted Loudoun County. Mr. Michael bullock, police association, during his time as president he has worked to address the recruiting and retention problems that have affected the austin Police Department. President bullock is a 6year veteran ofes the Austin Policeff department. Mr. Rodney bryant serves as the president of the National BlackLaw Enforcement executives prior to his work with the National BlackLaw Enforcement executives mr. Bryant served 34 years in the Police Department. During career he climbed the ranks, senior police, sergeant, assistant commander and major, highlights of his career include leading command of the College Football playoff championship in 2018 and super bowl and super bowl 53 in 2019. Hi retired in 2022 as the 25th chief of the department. I thank all the witnesses for being here today and recognize Deputy Commissioner mays. Thank you, chairman green and Ranking Membermp thompson for holding the hearing and the invitation to testify on some of the critical Law Enforcement and security issuesti facing the american homeland. The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security is a Law Enforcement agency but statewide jurisdiction. Our primary mission is to investigate threats to life, threats to our schools