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the responsibility that government leaders have to promote respect for the police. Nothing fancy; simple vows:
“Those of us in leadership roles must say and do nothing that in any way increases the risk you and your colleagues face when you walk the streets of America,” he asserted.
Sessions then made a plea to validate what has been mani- festing through community policing efforts throughout Chi- cago the past few years: “We must teach our children better,” he suggested. “We must teach them respect and discipline, following the rules and the value of hard work.”
Sessions turned up the applause meter when crescendo- ing with a reference to the National FOP motto that law is a safeguard of freedom.
“I would go one step further by saying that the rule of law is the safeguard of freedom,” he addendumed. “The law se- cures our God-given rights, and you, the officers who enforce it, ensure all Americans enjoy these rights. The DOJ and the Trump administration are proud to stand with you as you continue to do your critical and honorable work.”
One last piece of we-got-your-back evidence proved a timely conclusion to Sessions’ appearance in Nashville. He informed members that President Trump was issuing an ex- ecutive order that day rescinding restrictions from the pri- or administration that limited law enforcement agencies’ opportunities to get equipment through federal programs: lifesaving gear like Kevlar and helmets; rescue equipment like what was used when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston; and more than $5.4 million in recycled gear that taxpayers have already purchased, to repurpose it in the fight against terror- ism and crime and for disaster relief.
“This is the type of equipment that could stop a bullet and
National FOP President Chuck Canterbury, right, introduces U.S. Attorney General Je Sessions for his keynote address at the National FOP Confer- ence.
save the life of an officer in the Orlando nightclub shoot- ing. This is the type of equipment officers needed to pursue and ultimately kill a terrorist in San Bernardino,” Sessions detailed. “Studies have shown that this equipment reduces crime rates, reduces the number of assaults against police officers and reduces the number of complaints against po- lice officers. The executive order ensures you can get the gear you need to do your jobs and send the strong message that we will not allow criminal activity, violence and lawless- ness to become a new normal.”
With that, the attorney general exited to go back to Wash- ington, D.C., where the applause for what the new admin- istration is doing to support the police probably can still be heard. d
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