Meet a Dedicated Police Advocate; Key Legislative Priorities This Session; and a New Federal Bill to Protect Cops

And a resource designed to help police officers heal

There are organizations and individuals among us who work overtime to advocate for our nation’s heroes. Given that they often do their good deeds without expecting credit, there’s a good chance you may not even know their names.

One such person I’d like you to meet is Bert Eyler, president of the Police Officers’ Defense Coalition.

Bert is a U.S. Marine and retired law enforcement officer who has chosen to spend his retirement years advocating for police officers. Not for prestige or the promise of a position, but because he genuinely cares about the men and women of law enforcement.

You can listen to Bert here as he and Betsy Brantner-Smith discuss efforts to protect officers, including by pushing to codify qualified immunity into law.

Bert drives 45-minutes to D.C. twice weekly to lobby on Capitol Hill (one day on the Senate side and the other on the House side) to develop relationships with members of Congress and advance positive legislation. He told me he averages nine meetings each visit!

(FYI: Walking the halls of government is actually quite effective. Years ago, my husband, Steve, would spend his lunch hours walking the halls of the Wisconsin State Capitol in search of a state sponsor for a proposed law enforcement license plate bill. That determination paid off, because the bill was signed into law. Because of this bill, not only can residents now express visible support for our officers, but the families of our state’s fallen heroes are provided with financial aid.)

By partnering with Bert and his organization, along with the National Police Association and some other organizations (can’t wait to tell you all about a new initiative currently in the works!), I feel more confident than ever that this will be the year when solid legislation will finally be enacted.

This truly is a team effort and I feel blessed to be a part of it.

Legislative Priorities in the 119th Congress

These are the key federal bills I’m actively monitoring and / or lobbying for. Given that this is a work in progress, this spreadsheet will be regularly updated. I’ll also be creating a dedicated legislative page as I did with the 118th Congress.

What Are Your Legislative Priorities?

Is there something we’re missing, some issue you’d like to see addressed via federal or state legislation? Or do you have thoughts on the above bills? Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments section below, or contact me at fortheblue@substack.com.

New Federal Bill: Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act (S. 180 / H.R. 621)

While the infusion of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl and other lethal substances into our country has placed all of us at risk, the greatest burden is on police officers. By nature of their work, officers are on the front lines every day, thrust into unknown situations. It’s a scenario that places them in close contact with lethal substances.

Exposure to even a miniscule amount of a chemical like fentanyl can result in respiratory distress, and even death.

A new bipartisan bill called the Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act, introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (IA) on the Senate side, and Rep. David Joyce (OH-14) on the House side, would make current U.S. Department of Justice funds available for state and local law enforcement agencies to purchase drug containment devices.

Police and other first responders use these containment devices to safely store fentanyl and other narcotics, as well as potentially lethal toxins like anthrax.

If enacted, this bill would help protect officers from exposure to the lethal substances they now confront on a regular basis. It’s one less threat (from a growing number of threats) that would be mitigated.

After reading more about this bill (here), would you please contact your U.S. senator urging sponsorship?

A Resource Designed to Bring Comfort and Healing to Police Officers

I’ve come to believe that the desire to be a police officer is innate. Why, after all, would anyone willingly endure the rigors of a thankless job that places immeasurable stress on one’s physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, and that can compromise family life and other important relationships, unless there’s a strong inner drive to protect and serve?

While we can empathize with what police officers endure -especially in this unforgiving environment- most of us will never really truly understand the life at a deep level.

There are, however, others who do understand the life and who are poised to help. One faith-based organization I recently learned about from

Jeff Daukas

, who has 20-plus years in law enforcement, is called Mission First Alliance.

This is from their website:

“The traumatic calls they respond to, the brokenness they encounter, and the evil they face leave them discouraged and isolated. Most first responders do not have the hope and peace that can only be found in Christ, and those who are Christians struggle to live in Christ and on mission for His Kingdom. With their identities split between the badge and Christ, they struggle to find joy in their calling and they struggle to feel supported in their community. At Mission First Alliance, we want them to know they are not alone. We want them to experience the love that comes from knowing they have a community all around them who understands what they endure each and every day. We want them to see why Real Hope in Christ is critical.”

Professional help is indeed critical for officers suffering with serious mental health disorders associated with the job, and legislation aimed at dedicating more resources to these services is a priority. There are, however, other complementary resources available from people who get it. This is just one of them.

Whether you’re an officer or civilian, please take care of yourself. : )

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For the Blue is a solutions-based initiative. I’m just an American patriot asking questions. I don’t work with any political party and I answer to nobody. For me, the health of the nation, due process (including for police officers), the rule of law, and respect for individual liberties, will always transcend party affiliation. I welcome your thoughts, even if you disagree; though personal attacks will be ignored. You can reach me at fortheblue@substack.com.