WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Lawmakers on Capitol Hill unveiled a bipartisan bill Thursday aimed at reducing the shortage of police officers across the country.
Law enforcement leaders came to D.C. Thursday to share how the officer shortage has affected their cities.
San Diego Police Sgt. Jared Wilson has been an officer for more than 20 years.
“Staffing levels are the lowest I have ever seen,” said Wilson, who is also president of the San Diego Police Officers Association.
He has seen how the shortage of officers has affected public safety.
“A domestic violence or burglary call takes an average of over 30 minutes to respond across our city,” Wilson said.
Wilson says a combination of officer retirements, resignations and a lack of qualified candidates has forced departments to make complex decisions.
“Like in Tehama County where they stopped day patrols due to a lack of sworn personnel,” Wilson said.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are paying attention.
“It has become more difficult to get the police officers we need on the scene,” said Rep. Salud Carbajal (R-Calif.).
The recent bill from California Democratic Congressman Salud Carbajal and Republican Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska aims to fix this problem.
“This is to help get this problem under control, get our recruitment and retention back up, because we need it,” Bacon said.
The Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act would double funding for a federal program and add an additional $162 million to facilitate local law enforcement agencies hire more officers.
Additionally, officers hired under this program must undergo background checks and mental health evaluations.
“It is important that the right people are selected and hired to fill these important positions,” said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown.
The bill is one of several before Congress this National Police Week aimed at supporting law enforcement.
