Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 408 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: SEPTEMBER 2016 T he Indianapolis FOP is demanding action. President Rick Snyder said the police union is calling on state lawmakers to create a “Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act” which would increase the charges against anyone attacking a law en- forcement officer. “It’s a new day in our country,” Snyder said. “There’s too many attacks on our police officers and the city and state must come forward and help protect us.” “Over the past several years over 700 Indianapolis officers are assaulted every year. These numbers are just staggering. “For starters we are asking our own City-County Coun- cil to approve emergency funding to ensure that body armor is available for every on or off duty officer at all times.” The Indy FOP has re- quested bullet resistant vests and helmets as well as trauma kits. While a com- munity fundraising drive did raise enough money to outfit 1500 officers with the kits, Snyder said the funding has not been maintained. He estimates the cost of the kits and armor at around $2000 per officer or about $3.2 million overall – not a whole lot of money, he says, when it comes to protecting officers. Indy cops are also de- manding that the Depart- ment evaluate and update its training curriculum. They want more focus on protect- ing officers from ambush- style attacks, like the one that happened in Dallas. The requests come as the mayor and council are work- ing on the upcoming budget and are searching for ways to address a $50 million structural deficit. “Our call is for our com- munity and police depart- ment to be prepared, not scared,” Snyder said. “We should not should be re- sponding to these rapid rise in violent attacks on our community out of fear. “We should respond with a proactive model that’s well thought-out and planned with the safety of all our of- ficers the top concern.” Demands for action in- clude enacting a “State Law Enforcement Officer Pro- tection Act” including in- creasing charges for anyone attacking an officer; enhanc- ing protection equipment in- cluding tactical body armor, Kevlar helmets and trauma kits; and evaluating and updating state training cur- riculum to include ambush attacks, response to elevated shooter conflicts and better ways to resolve improvised weapon scenarios. Snyder is asking every law enforcement official in the country to support the effort. “We need all the support we can get,” Snyder said. “Contact the Indianapolis elected officials I’ve listed below, identify your orga- nization and your city and state and politely encour- age them to appropriate emergency funding for the equipment we need. “This is going to make a powerful statement and it will pave the way for you to demand the same in your jurisdiction. “We will be happy to make calls on your behalf as well. Just let us know.” Here are the people to reach out to: • Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett: 317-327-3601 • City County Council President Maggie Lewis: 317-327-424 • Minority Leader Michael McQuillen: 317-327-4242 Trauma kits: cheap and effective, but cops don’t have them. Indianapolis FOP President Rick Snyder is standing, second from right. He wants more protection for his members. City and state must step up SAN DIEGO SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Now Hiring Laterals $75,000.00 – $100,245.00* Lateral Bonus of up to $5,000.00 13 Unique Stations to Choose From Learn More About What We Offer At: WWW.JOINSDSHERIFF.NET *Reflects current contract progressing through 2017