In the week since U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the David Dorn Back the Blue Act, the bill has been met with an outpouring of support from Missouri law enforcement officers. Senator Hawley’s bill would authorize $15 billion for the U.S. Attorney General to fund more officer hiring and salary increases for state and local law enforcement across the country.
“Senator Hawley understands the struggles our police are facing each day. The Missouri Police Chiefs Association fully supports Senator Hawley’s bill to raise police salaries and hire new officers. It comes at a critical time for law enforcement which are too often underfunded and facing increased threats to their safety. We thank Senator Hawley for continuing to be a champion for law enforcement.”
— Missouri Police Chiefs Association
“As an elected Sheriff, I fully endorse Senator Hawley’s effort to provide much needed pay raises for our state and local law enforcement officers. His ‘David Dorn Back the Blue Act’ will provide more resources and manpower to our departments to help keep St. Charles County and the entire state of Missouri safe.”
— Sheriff Scott Lewis, St. Charles County
“Thank you, Senator Hawley, for introducing the ‘David Dorn Back the Blue Act’. I have been in law enforcement for 25 years and acutely aware that those men and women working in this profession are significantly underpaid. These men and women of law enforcement have agreed to serve and protect their communities. They have agreed to do so under any dire circumstance that may come their way. It only makes sense that we reimburse them in a way that reflects our appreciation. When you consider that those serving in law enforcement are willing to sacrifice so much, from special days with families to even their own health and safety this bill is a firm thank you for that service. While law enforcement officers don’t necessarily get into this profession for pay, it is nice to be able to have some financial peace while agreeing to serve the community. Thank you, sir, for your efforts to raise our salaries in law enforcement. It is comforting to know that, while we are out on the streets keeping citizens safe, you’ve got our six.”
— Sheriff Randee Kaiser, Jasper County
“This bill introduced by Senator Hawley will help bring back safety and security for our citizens. We’ve all seen the struggles our communities are facing. Because of this, Police agencies across the nation are experiencing severe retention and recruitment issues. At a time where our communities need us the most, we simply don’t have the personnel resources we need. Many feel the pay is simply not worth all the risks. This bill would provide safety for our citizens, and that’s something we all want.”
— Chief Jim McMillen, Sikeston Department of Public Safety
“I think it is refreshing that someone in DC is addressing what we in law enforcement already know is an epidemic. Police officer recruit numbers are dwindling and the profession is under attack, and no departments are more vulnerable in the current climate than those in rural Missouri.” — Chief Joey Higgerson, New Madrid Police Department
“I am honored to support this bill with Senator Hawley. Something must be done to support Law Enforcement and also to improve our training and staffing issues.”
— Chief Jarrett Bullock, Malden Police Department
“Josh has never wavered from strongly supporting law enforcement, and that is an anomaly up there in the swamp.”
— Chief Danny Whiteley, Poplar Bluff Police Department
“Once again, Senator Hawley has demonstrated that he not only understands the public safety crisis our communities face, but he recognizes the need for someone in D.C. to stand up for the men and women who stand in harm’s way to protect our citizens from violence. Our officers know Senator Hawley has not forgotten them and that he is fighting to protect our communities.”
— Columbia Police Officers Association
“I believe the bill introduced by Senator Hawley is an excellent approach to improving law enforcement across the country and specifically in Southeast Missouri. Police departments in our region suffer from attrition to larger cities and, frankly, other occupations due to compensation and workload issues. Increasing funding for additional officers to mitigate workload concerns and increasing salaries to promote hiring and retention would be very beneficial.”
— Chief Wes Blair, Cape Girardeau Police Department
“I appreciate the support and aggressive action from Sen. Hawley to address this issue in the current atmosphere of defunding police. In these uncertain times, it is a beacon of hope for all law enforcement.”
— Sheriff Ruth Ann Dickerson, Cape Girardeau County
“This bill, if it allows for the addition of police officers and would fund those positions, that would huge for the department, being able to go out and make sure we’re addressing even more specific needs of the community.”
— Captain Will Davis, Joplin Police Department