Expressing support for America's law enforcement professionals.
H. Con. Res. 31 is a House concurrent resolution expressing strong support for America’s law enforcement professionals. It highlights the size and importance of the law enforcement workforce, honors fallen officers and their families, and notes the challenging and increasingly dangerous environment officers face. The resolution calls for steps to improve officer safety and well-being—such as adding policing personnel, improving training and equipment, enacting tougher penalties for assaults on officers, and expanding mental health resources—and urges all levels of government to ensure officers receive needed support. Because it is a concurrent resolution, it does not itself create new law or authorize funding; instead, it serves as a formal, non-binding statement of Congress’s support and priorities, potentially guiding future policy discussions and funding decisions.
Key Points
- 1Expresses high respect and appreciation for America’s law enforcement professionals and honors those who are injured or killed in the line of duty.
- 2Documents substantial officer risk and trauma (e.g., 800,000 officers; 24,000 names on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial; 79,000 assaults in 2023; 1,055 officers shot in the past three years; 172 killed in the line of duty; 400–600 traumatic events per officer; 54% higher suicide rate).
- 3Notes workforce declines (more than 5.3% drop in full-time state and local officers from 2019 to 2021, about 37,000 fewer officers) and the resulting impact on communities.
- 4Calls for increased measures to maximize safety and well-being, including: more policing personnel, improved training and equipment, tougher penalties for assaults or killings of officers, and expanded mental health resources for officers.
- 5Urges all levels of government to ensure law enforcement professionals receive the support and resources needed to keep America safe.