Colorado Politics

Gardner-backed bill on police suicides heads to Trump’s desk

A bipartisan bill aimed curbing suicides among law enforcement officers, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, is headed to President Donald Trump for his signature.

The Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis Act passed the House Wednesday. Gardner, R-Colorado, was among the 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats who sponsored the bill in the Senate.

The legislation passed the Senate unanimously on May 16 “to expand support for police officer family services, stress reduction, and suicide prevention, and for other purposes.”  

If signed by Trump, it would put $7.5 million into grants over five years.

“Law enforcement officers in Colorado and across our nation are the foundation of safe communities, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they and their families have the resources necessary to receive mental health assistance,” Gardner said in a statement.

“I’m glad to see this bill pass Congress and head to the president’s desk to provide support for our officers. I’ll continue to fight for measures like this to back our men and women in uniform.”

Gardner’s office said the legislation was supported by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the National Sheriffs’ Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Fraternal Order of Police, the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the New York City Police Department, the National District Attorneys Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

In this 2018 file photo, Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., flanked by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., left, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington.
(AP File/J. Scott Applewhite)
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