May 23, 2013
NAPO WASHINGTON REPORT
Sequestration
Sequestration is a series of automatic spending cuts
and tax increases that took effect on March 1, 2013. The
cuts include about $100 billion in automatic cuts to defense
and domestic government spending. NAPO understands the
United States Government’s need to balance its budget.
At the same time, certain core functions of the federal
government, including public safety, cannot be shut down.
The article, “3 Things You Need to Know about Sequestration
and Cuts to Federal Public Safety Programs,” provides
additional insights on the impact of sequestration on
the law enforcement community. Specifically, the author
cautions that continued cutbacks to federal public safety
programming, such as the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant
(Byrne-JAG) Program and the Community Oriented Policing
Services (COPS) Program, will leave these vital programs
unfunded by 2021. These cuts obstruct the criminal justice
system’s ability to respond to crime and support
victims.
The article can be found at the following link:
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/poverty/news/2013/05/21/63954/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-sequestration-and-cuts-to-federal-public-safety-programs/
NAPO appreciates your support as we continue to work
with the Administration and Congress to resolve difficult
public safety budget issues, as well as advocate for maximum
funding for vital federal grant programs, including Byrne-JAG
and COPS.
Copyright © NAPO 2013. All
rights reserved.
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May 20, 2013
NAPO WASHINGTON REPORT
2013 COPS Hiring Program Grants Deadline Extension
NAPO has been informed that the COPS Office
application system has experienced technical issues,
which have now been corrected.
The system is operational and back online. All COPS
Hiring Program (CHP) and Community Policing Development
(CPD) applicants are able to start or continue their
applications at this time. Because the system was down
for an extended period of time, the program deadlines
for both CHP and CPD have been extended to 7:59 PM EDT
on June 4, 2013.
Although no application data was lost due to the technical
issues, out of an abundance of caution the COPS Office
has requested any agency that has started or submitted
an application to review their application information
to make sure it is complete and accurate.
If you need technical assistance, the COPS Response
Center is available to help, and can be reached at 800-421-6770.
NAPO Participation in Department of Justice Meeting
on Federal Firearms Prohibitors
On May 17, 2013, NAPO participated in
a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) meeting on federal
firearms prohibitors. The Department of Justice has
created a working group to review the firearms prohibitors
enumerated in Sections 922(g) and 922(n) of Title 18,
United States Code. These prohibitors make it unlawful
for ten categories of persons (“prohibited persons”)
to ship, transport, receive, or possess firearms or
ammunition. The DOJ working group is conducting extensive
research and analysis of information and data relating
to the prohibitors, and ascertaining the perspectives
of stakeholders within and outside of government.
During the session, NAPO expressed its
support of better and more accurate background checks
to keep weapons out of the wrong hands, as well as efforts
to improve access to mental healthcare. NAPO staff also
stated that NAPO recently pledged its support for the
King-Thompson Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights
Protection Act (H.R. 1565), which includes the following:
* Proposals to enhance the current background
check system to ensure that criminals and the mentally
ill are not able to purchase firearms
* Proposals to ensure that anyone buying
a gun at a gun show or online undergoes a background
check by a licensed dealer.
* Efforts to ensure that individuals who
should be prohibited from buying a gun are listed in
the National Instant Criminal Background Check System
NAPO will continue to provide updates
on this issue as it develops.
Please monitor NAPO’s website www.napo.org, and
Facebook page: National Association of Police Organizations,
and follow us on Twitter at NAPOpolice for breaking
news and updates.
May 9, 2013
Call to Action
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration
Act (JMHCA)
On Wednesday, May 7th, NAPO participated in
a working group on the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration
Act (JMHCA). As has been noted in previous Washington Reports,
NAPO has made reauthorization of the JMHCA a top legislative
priority for the 113th Congress, as the Justice and Mental
Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) helps criminal justice
and mental health agencies work collaboratively towards
better outcomes. The JMHCP can help law enforcement agencies
across the United States in its responsibilities in assisting
those, and dealing with, citizens with mental health issues.
Currently, the JMHCA has strong bipartisan
support in both the Senate and the House. (The bill is supported
by 26 cosponsors in the Senate and 26 cosponsors in the
House). The working group anticipates this legislation will
be scheduled for a mark-up as early as June. As NAPO continues
to work with its counterparts to advocate for this legislation,
we would appreciate your help with contacting the Senators
listed below by June 15th to request they support this legislation.
If you have any questions, please contact
NAPO’s Legislative Assistant, Melissa Nee, at mnee@napo.org.
Senate Judiciary
Targets
Senator Party State Staff Email
Jeff Sessions - Republican from Alabama
Contact: Danielle Cutrona at email address:
Danielle_Cutrona@judiciary-rep.senate.gov
John Cornyn - Republican from Texas
Contact: Stephen Tausend at email address:
stephen_tausend@judiciary-rep.senate.gov
Ted Cruz - Republican from Texas
Contact:Scott Keller scott_keller@cruz.senate.gov
Jeff Flake - Republican from Arizona
Contact: Elizabeth Taylor at email address:
elizabeth_taylor@judiciary-rep.senate.gov
Mike Lee - Republican from Utah
Contact:Rob Porterat email address: rob_porter@lee.senate.gov
Please monitor NAPO’s website www.napo.org,
and Facebook page: National Association of Police Organizations,
and follow us on Twitter at NAPOpolice for breaking news
and updates.
