U.S. Representative Shomari Figures, D-Alabama, announced Monday that the National Fraternal Order of Police has endorsed his legislation to cover college and job-training costs for the children of law enforcement officers, other first responders, educators and social workers.
Figures’ bill, the Public Service Educational Assistance Act, would cover the cost of college and job training for the children of law enforcement officers, other first responders, educators and social workers.
Figures introduced the legislation in September alongside Senator Cory Booker, D-New Jersey; Representative Jahana Hayes, D-Connecticut; and Representative Mike Ezell, R-Mississippi.
In a letter sent to Figures’ and Ezell’s offices last week, leaders of the National Fraternal Order of Police, the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the U.S., endorsed the legislation and thanked its sponsors for introducing it.
The bill would establish a federal education assistance program that covers the full cost of postsecondary education and training opportunities for the dependents of educators, first responders and social workers who have completed at least 20 years of qualifying service.
In the endorsement letter, the organization’s national president, Patrick Yoes, argued that the legislation would help improve recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers while providing affordable routes to higher education for public servants’ dependents.
“Public servants are the backbone of America, serving in vital roles that ensure the safety and well-being of their communities every day,” Yoes wrote in the letter. “As law enforcement in America faces a critical recruitment and retention crisis, and as postsecondary education becomes more expensive and crucial in our modern world, it is vital that the Federal government ensures that our public servants have the necessary funding and opportunities to receive postsecondary education.”
“On behalf of the more than 382,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, thank you both for your leadership on this important issue,” Yoes added.
Figures described the legislation in a Monday statement as an attempt to give back to law enforcement officers’ families.
“Every day, our police officers put their lives on the line to keep our streets and communities safe,” Figures said. “They and their families make tremendous sacrifices for us, and we should be there to give back to them in any way that we can. That’s why I introduced this bipartisan bill to recognize the vital work of our law enforcement officers by investing in their families’ future.”
In addition to the National Fraternal Order of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians and the Major Cities Chiefs Association have endorsed the legislation.
