NCJ Number
143631
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 62 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1993) Pages: 5-9
Date Published
1993
Length
5 pages
Annotation
To ensure that Federal and State legislation pertaining to law enforcement is practical and furthers law enforcement objectives, agencies must learn to monitor legislation before it becomes law and educate lawmakers on the nature of law enforcement.
Abstract
The Baltimore County (Maryland) Police Department initiated a program to enable the department to participate actively in the legislative process. Two officers served as legislative liaisons for three months during the State legislature's annual session and began networking with elected officials to develop laws that would benefit the community at large. Similar programs have been implemented in other jurisdictions and at the Federal level. Once a police department adopts a position on proposed legislation, several techniques can be used to promote it, including writing letters, sending telegrams, telephoning legislators, contacting legislators personally, and testifying at committee hearings. When a law enforcement agency does get involved in the legislative process, labor-management issues and possible conflict of interest with other government agencies must be considered. 3 notes