Senator Hawley Introduces David Dorn Back the Blue Act

On Tuesday, September 8, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley introduced the David Dorn Back the Blue Act, in an attempt to raise police officer salaries and increase officer hiring and retention. Senator Hawley’s bill would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize $15 billion for the U.S. Attorney General to fund more officer hiring and salary increases for state and local law enforcement.

Courageous law enforcement officers are more vital now than ever - U.S. Senator Josh Hawley

“Police departments across the country are under siege—underfunded, facing increased retirements, and struggling to make new hires,” said Hawley. “But as violence and rioting sweeps across American cities big and small, our courageous law enforcement officers are more vital now than ever. Democratic politicians are bending to radical activists who want to defund the police. We should do just the opposite. Our officers deserve a raise, not defunding. They deserve our unqualified support. And this bill would give it to them.”

Senator Hawley’s bill would allow recipients to use federal funds to increase the number of officers on their forces and raise the salaries of officers up to 110% of the local median earnings, and would exclude cities that defund their police.

David Dorn, a retired St. Louis Police captain, was killed on June 2, 2020, while protecting a friend’s store during a violent night of rioting in the city of St. Louis. He served for 38 years with the St. Louis Police Department.

In the week since Hawley introduced the David Dorn Back the Blue Act, the bill has been met with an outpouring of support from Missouri law enforcement officers.

“Senator Hawley understands the struggles our police are facing each day,” stated the Missouri Police Chiefs Association. “It comes at a critical time for law enforcement which are too often underfunded and facing increased threats to their safety. We thank Senator Hawley for continuing to be a champion for law enforcement.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story