Tester Works to Support Montana Law Enforcement, Leads Senate Resolution Honoring National Police Week

Senator continues to lead bipartisan efforts to recruit and retain officers, combat fentanyl trafficking, hold criminals accountable, and keep Montana safe

As part of his continued efforts to support law enforcement officers and keep Montana communities safe, U.S. Senator Jon Tester will lead a bipartisan resolution marking National Police Week and reiterating support for the men and women in law enforcement.

Tester’s resolution designates the week of May 13 through May 19, 2024, as “National Police Week,” honors 222 officers killed in the line of duty, and expresses unwavering support for law enforcement officers in the Treasure State and across the country.

“The men and women of Montana law enforcement are some of our nation’s finest, and I am grateful for the selfless sacrifices they make every day to keep our communities safe,” said Tester. “I’ve heard from law enforcement all across our state who have told me they need additional resources and manpower to hold criminals accountable and get deadly drugs off our streets, which is why I’m working with Republicans and Democrats to bolster recruitment and retention efforts and support Montana’s police departments. I’ll continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement and do everything I can in the Senate to make sure they have what they need to keep Montana families safe.”

A tireless advocate for Montana’s police officers and first responders, Tester has led the charge to recruit and retain law enforcement officers and keep Montana communities safe.

Last week following conversations with Montana law enforcement, Tester officially co-sponsored the Laken Riley Act to make sure that individuals who enter our country and commit a crime are held accountable.

In April, Tester’s FEND Off Fentanyl Act was signed into law. His bipartisan law imposes economic sanctions on those engaged in the international trafficking of illicit fentanyl, precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, or other related opioids, gives law enforcement more resources to combat fentanyl trafficking, and declares international trafficking of fentanyl as a national emergency.

Tester leading multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation to further support Montana law enforcement. His bipartisan ANTI Drugs Act would increase funding for law enforcement to combat drug trafficking, specifically by increasing resources for three programs – High Intensity Drug Task Forces (HIDTA), Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and Operation Stonegarden – that law enforcement rely on to keep communities safe. Tester’s bipartisan Recruit and Retain Act would boost hiring and retention efforts for Montana law enforcement in understaffed departments across the state by creating a schools-to-law enforcement recruitment program, expanding funding from COPS Hiring Grants, and improving law enforcement recruitment. And Tester’s bipartisan Invest to Protect Act would create a special COPS grant to support hiring and resources for local law enforcement agencies with under 200 officers. 

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester secured more than $1.5 billion in critical funding for Tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement and public safety programs in the 2024 government funding bill, including $664.5 million for the COPS program, $924 million for Byrne JAG, and $600 million for Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Law Enforcement and Justice services.

A one-pager outlining Tester’s work to support the police can be viewed HERE.