Project for Opportunity and Safety

International Association of Chiefs of Police Draft Letter of Support  

In a sign of continued momentum, the world’s largest organization of law enforcement executives joins the growing list of law enforcement officials urging Congress to fix our broken federal criminal justice system and pass comprehensive reform this summer.

Led By Major U.S. Chiefs Of Police From Across The Country, The International Association Of Chiefs Of Police Endorse The Sentencing Reform & Corrections Act Of 2015.

The International Association Of Chiefs Of Police (IACP) Supports The Sentencing Reform And Corrections Act Because It “Achieves A Proper Balance Of Preserving And Expanding Mandatory Minimums For Violent Offenders And Career Criminals, While Reducing Recidivism, And Addressing The Burgeoning Prison Population Through Thoughtful And Careful Measures.” “On behalf of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the world’s largest organization of law enforcement executives, we write in support of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015, S. 2123. We applaud the efforts of the sponsors of S. 2123 for working with the law enforcement community and other stakeholders throughout the process. We believe the revised legislation achieves a proper balance of preserving and expanding mandatory minimums for violent offenders and career criminals, while reducing recidivism, and addressing the burgeoning prison population through thoughtful and careful measures.” (Terrence Cunningham, Letter To Senators McConnell and Reid, International Association of Chiefs of Police, 5/11/16)

IACP: “The Safety Of Our Communities Is The Paramount Priority For Law Enforcement, And That Includes Keeping Violent Offenders Off The Streets And Working With Prior Offenders On Rehabilitation Efforts So That When They Are Released They Return As Productive And Upstanding Citizens.” “The safety of our communities is the paramount priority for law enforcement, and that includes keeping violent offenders off the streets and working with prior offenders on rehabilitation efforts so that when they are released they return as productive and upstanding citizens. To that end, we believe that this legislation strikes a proper balance between ensuring that those convicted of violent felonies are off the streets while modifying the current three strikes rule.” (Terrence Cunningham, Letter To Senators McConnell and Reid, International Association of Chiefs of Police, 5/11/16)

IACP’s Endorsement Follows The National District Attorneys Association And Many Other Law Enforcement Endorsements.

The National District Attorneys Association, The Largest Association Of Prosecutors In The Country, Joins “More Than 400 Groups And Organizations Across The Political Spectrum” Supporting The Revised Legislation. “‘In a recent letter of support from the National District Attorneys Association, the largest association of prosecutors in the country, the organization’s president wrote, ‘As a result of months of changes and good faith negotiations, our organization feels the latest version of the bill strikes the appropriate balance between targeting the highest level drug traffickers plaguing our communities, while simultaneously decreasing crime rates and addressing the burgeoning prison population.’ The bill enjoys support from coalitions representing more than 400 groups and organizations across the political spectrum.”  (Sen. Mike Lee Release, “Sentencing Reform & Corrections Act Expands Bipartisan Support,” 4/28/2016)

William Fitzpatrick, President Of NDAA: “Our Organization Feels The Latest Version Of The Bill Strikes The Appropriate Balance Between Targeting The Highest Level Drug Traffickers Plaguing Our Communities, While Simultaneously Decreasing Crime Rates And Addressing The Burgeoning Prison Population.” “On behalf of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), the largest prosecutor organization representing 2500 elected and appointed District Attorneys across the United States as well as 30,000 assistant district attorneys, I write in support of S. 2123, the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015. As a result of months of changes and good faith negotiations, our organization feels the latest version of the bill strikes the appropriate balance between targeting the highest level drug traffickers plaguing our communities, while simultaneously decreasing crime rates and addressing the burgeoning prison population.” (William Fitzpatrick, NDAA Support Letter To Sen. McConnell and Reid, 4/26/16)

NDAA Says “The Revised Version ‘Filters Out The Truly Dangerous Individuals’ So They Don’t Benefit From The Reduced Mandatory Minimum Sentences.” “The bill also now says that other reduced mandatory minimum sentences won’t apply retroactively for anyone who has been convicted of any serious violent felony. And it adds enhanced mandatory sentences for crimes involving Fentanyl, an opioid drug. The influential district attorneys group wrote to Senate leaders earlier this week, saying the revised version ‘filters out the truly dangerous individuals’ so they don’t benefit from the reduced mandatory minimum sentences.” (Politico, “Compromise Struck On Criminal Justice Reform,” 4/28/2016)

Law Enforcement Leaders, A Coalition Of 160 Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, District Attorneys Federal Prosecutors And Attorneys General Submitted A Letter Endorsing The Sentencing Reform & Corrections Act. “We write to express our support for the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015 (S. 2123), similar to the Sentencing Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 3713). As current and former leaders of the law enforcement community — police chiefs, U.S. Attorneys, federal law enforcement, and heads of national law enforcement organizations — we believe that protecting public safety is a vital goal.” (Law Enforcement Leaders, Letter To Senators McConnell and Reid, 1/20/16)

Law Enforcement Leaders: The Legislation Will “Reduce Crime While Also Reducing Unnecessary Arrests, Prosecutions, And Incarceration.” “Our experience has shown us that the country can reduce crime while also reducing unnecessary arrests, prosecutions, and incarceration. We believe the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act will accomplish this goal and respectfully urge you to support it. We appreciate your leadership on and concern for the important criminal justice issues facing the country today.” (Law Enforcement Leaders, Letter To Senators McConnell and Reid, 1/20/16)

“As Law Enforcement Leaders, We Want To Make Clear Where We Stand: Not Only Is Passing Federal Mandatory Minimum Reform Necessary To Reduce Incarceration, It Is Also Necessary To Help Law Enforcement Continue To Keep Crime At Its Historic Lows Across The Country.” “This is a unique moment of rare bipartisan consensus on the urgent need for criminal justice reform. As law enforcement leaders, we want to make clear where we stand: Not only is passing federal mandatory minimum reform necessary to reduce incarceration, it is also necessary to help law enforcement continue to keep crime at its historic lows across the country. We urge Congress to pass the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act.” (Law Enforcement Leaders, Letter To Senators McConnell and Reid, 1/20/16)

Other Law Enforcement Endorsers Include:

National District Attorneys Association
Law Enforcement Leaders
67 Former Federal Prosecutors and Judges
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
International Association of Police Chiefs
Association of Prosecuting Attorneys
National Latino Peace Officers Association
National Association of Former United States Attorneys
Major Cities Chiefs Association
National Black Prosecutors Association