Preventing Violence Against Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Law Enforcement Officers
Signed: February 9, 2017
Published: February 14, 2017
Document Number: 2017-03115
đSummary
This executive order directs the executive branch, led by the Department of Justice, to prioritize protecting federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement officers by enforcing existing federal laws and improving how violence against officers is prosecuted. It affects the Department of Justice most directly, and also involves coordination with other federal agencies and with state, tribal, and local governments and law enforcement agencies. It requires the Attorney General to develop a prosecution strategy, support multi-jurisdiction efforts, review whether current federal laws are sufficient, and recommend possible new legislationâincluding potentially new federal crimes and higher penalties such as mandatory minimum sentences. It also orders a review of Justice Department grant programs to see how well they support officer safety and to recommend changes to grant funding and, if needed, related legislation.
đźBusiness Impact
This order most directly affects businesses that interact with law enforcement or operate in higher-risk environmentsâprivate security firms, event venues and promoters, transportation/logistics, retail chains, bars/nightlife, and government contractorsâbecause DOJ will prioritize multiâjurisdiction prosecutions and seek tougher penalties for violence (or attempted violence) against officers. While it doesnât create new compliance rules by itself, it increases enforcement risk around incidents on your premises or involving your employees/contractors, and it may shift DOJ grant funding toward technologies, training, and programs that protect officersâcreating sales opportunities for security, surveillance, protective equipment, and training providers. Immediate actions: review workplace violence and incident-response plans (including deâescalation and protocols for interacting with officers), tighten contractor/vendor controls for security staff, and document training and reporting procedures to reduce liability and demonstrate cooperation if an incident triggers federal involvement. If you sell to public safety agencies, monitor DOJ grant program changes and align offerings to officer-safety priorities (e.g., body-worn cameras, access control, threat detection, training).
Full Text
Executive Order 13774 of February 9, 2017
Preventing Violence Against Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Law Enforcement Officers
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1 . Policy. It shall be the policy of the executive branch to:
(a) enforce all Federal laws in order to enhance the protection and safety of Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers, and thereby all Americans;
(b) develop strategies, in a process led by the Department of Justice (Department) and within the boundaries of the Constitution and existing Federal laws, to further enhance the protection and safety of Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers; and
(c) pursue appropriate legislation, consistent with the Constitution's regime of limited and enumerated Federal powers, that will define new Federal crimes, and increase penalties for existing Federal crimes, in order to prevent violence against Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers.
Sec. 2 . Implementation. In furtherance of the policy set forth in section 1 of this order, the Attorney General shall:
(a) develop a strategy for the Department's use of existing Federal laws to prosecute individuals who commit or attempt to commit crimes of violence against Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers;
(b) coordinate with State, tribal, and local governments, and with law enforcement agencies at all levels, including other Federal agencies, in prosecuting crimes of violence against Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers in order to advance adequate multi-jurisdiction prosecution efforts;
(c) review existing Federal laws to determine whether those laws are adequate to address the protection and safety of Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers;
(d) following that review, and in coordination with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, make recommendations to the President for legislation to address the protection and safety of Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers, including, if warranted, legislation defining new crimes of violence and establishing new mandatory minimum sentences for existing crimes of violence against Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers, as well as for related crimes;
(e) coordinate with other Federal agencies to develop an executive branch strategy to prevent violence against Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers;
(f) thoroughly evaluate all grant funding programs currently administered by the Department to determine the extent to which its grant funding supports and protects Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers; and
(g) recommend to the President any changes to grant funding, based on the evaluation required by subsection (f) of this section, including recommendations for legislation, as appropriate, to adequately support and protect Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers.
Sec. 3 . General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: ( printed page 10696)
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 9, 2017.