Bill Overview
Title: Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Justice to report on (1) targeted attacks on law enforcement officers, (2) the feasibility of incorporating such attacks into existing crime reporting systems, and (3) the mental health resources that are available to law enforcement officers.
Sponsors: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Target Audience
Population: Law Enforcement Officers
Estimated Size: 800000
- The bill focuses on law enforcement officers, as it requires reporting on targeted attacks against them.
- It also considers the mental health resources available to law enforcement, indicating concern for their wellbeing.
- The bill requires action from the Department of Justice, an agency working on national-level data and policies, suggesting a nationwide impact.
- By addressing targeted attacks and mental health resources, the bill directly impacts the working conditions and personal safety of officers.
Reasoning
- The bill primarily impacts law enforcement officers, potentially improving their safety and overall wellbeing through better reporting on attacks and enhanced mental health resources.
- While law enforcement officers directly benefit from this policy, indirect effects might extend to their families due to improved mental wellbeing.
- Budget constraints mean the policy must focus on efficient data collection and resource allocation, possibly prioritizing regions with higher incidents of targeted attacks.
- Considering the large number of officers potentially affected, policy impact will vary based on individual circumstances, geographical factors, and pre-existing support systems.
- Non-impacted individuals may include those in professions unrelated to law enforcement or policy implementation like teachers, healthcare workers, or IT professionals.
Simulated Interviews
Police Sergeant (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a step in the right direction, especially considering recent increases in targeted attacks.
- Mental health resources are critical, and more officers should be encouraged to use them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Detective (Austin, Texas)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The added focus on mental health is reassuring.
- We need more than just reports; actionable plans are necessary.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
NYPD Officer (New York City, New York)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reporting is good, but the real need is for better preventive measures against attacks.
- Mental health initiatives should be mandatory, not just available.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Sheriff's Deputy (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm near the end of my career, so the policy's effects are less relevant to me personally, but important for younger officers.
- It's good to see mental health finally being prioritized.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Police Officer (Miami, Florida)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Training needs to include how to handle stress and trauma from being targeted.
- Support needs to be constant, not just reactive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Rookie Officer (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the resources becoming available thanks to this policy.
- There needs to be ongoing assessments to maintain effectiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Sheriff (Rural Iowa)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For smaller communities, the issue is less about attacks and more about resource allocation.
- Uniform standards across regions would help smaller departments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Police Officer (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might help in reducing the stigma around officers seeking mental health support.
- Immediate threat levels need to be addressed along with wellness measures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 1 |
Traffic Officer (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm not usually targeted, the focus on mental health is welcome for overall officer wellness.
- The push for better data collection might make us feel heard by policymakers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Swat Team Member (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- High stress comes with the job, so mental health support is crucial.
- Efficient data might help us prepare better for threats.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 2: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 3: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 5: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 10: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 100: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Key Considerations
- The cooperation between federal and local law enforcement agencies is crucial for effective implementation.
- Monitoring and evaluating outcomes over time can ensure that resources and strategies are efficiently aligned.
- Outcomes could depend on the quality of mental health resources identified and their accessibility to officers.