Last week, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) announced $11.54 million in funding for Kansas law enforcement in the FY2022 Appropriations Package, in addition to increases in the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program and Community Oriented Policing Service Hiring Program. Moran is the lead Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science.
“At a time in which certain groups are calling to defund the police, in which the work and dedication of men and women in blue is questioned, I have and will continue to be an advocate for our law enforcement officers,” Moran stated. “After attempts to gut law enforcement programs, my committee was able to protect and increase vital resources for our men and women in blue. This includes new funding to make certain police officers receive the best training, the newest technology and the tools they need to protect our communities and keep our officers safe.”
Although no local sheriff’s offices or police departments are receiving Congressional resources, recipients do include the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and the Fort Hays State University De-Escalation Center. Funding for training is vastly superior to providing military weapons to local police forces, as the federal government has done since 1996 under a program called “1033.” Since 1033’s inception, nearly 10,000 jurisdictions have received more than $7 billion of equipment.
The call to “defund” police comes across as a drastic move akin to banning locks on doors. It would be better to advocate for the redirecting of funding – from militarization to community protection.
Sen. Moran wants law enforcement officers to know that he stands with them and respects them. That is true for most Kansans. He might also mention that this legislation supports continued efforts at police reform and racial justice. At least 25% of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds must be spent in specified ways aimed at improving police practices. A precondition for receiving the funds is that state and local governments comply with nine conditions with that goal, including eliminating racial profiling and implicit bias; eliminating excessive force and chokeholds; eliminating “no-knock” warrants in drug cases; eliminating contractual arrangements that prevent investigations of law enforcement misconduct; and eliminating sexual contact between police and persons in their custody.
Supporting law enforcement does not mean we can't support better practices.
