McConnell Pushes Bill to Create “Blue Alert” to Help Catch Suspects Who Attack Law Enforcement Officers
September 24, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced he will cosponsor legislation to establish a national “Blue Alert” system within the U.S. Department of Justice to help catch those who kill or harm law enforcement officers. The National Blue Alert Act would create a nationwide system similar to what the Amber Alert system does for abducted children. Should law enforcement officers be killed or seriously injured in the line of duty, this system would be utilized to widely disseminate information to help identify and apprehend potential suspects.
“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect Kentuckians and this legislation will help bring justice to those who do harm to our police officers and hopefully help to deter the violence in the first place,” Senator McConnell said. “In light of last week’s violent attack at the Navy Yard and the recent senseless loss of Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis, I wholeheartedly support this legislation on behalf of the thousands of Kentucky brave law enforcement officers.”
The House passed its version of the bill earlier this year.