AR174

An Assembly Resolution urging Congress and the President of the United States to enact the “Thin Blue Line Act.”

Whereas, As a nation, we rely on law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, and corrections officers to keep our neighborhoods safe, enforce our laws, and respond in times of crisis despite the substantial risks they face each and every day; and

Whereas, Law enforcement officers in this State and throughout the nation are routinely called upon to serve and protect their fellow citizens by responding to horrific events and acting heroically to save the lives of others; and

Whereas, As detailed in recent media accounts, there has been a national outbreak of violent and deadly attacks against members of the law enforcement community; and

Whereas, Over the past 10 years, an average of 146 officers have died in the line of duty every year; and

Whereas, Of the 47 law enforcement officer deaths by gunfire in 2014, 19 percent were due to so-called “ambush attacks”; and

Whereas, The purposeful targeting of law enforcement officers has continued with multiple fatal attacks, including a recent attack in Dallas, Texas in which five law enforcement officers were murdered; and

Whereas, Although the death penalty has been outlawed in New Jersey, it remains authorized in 31 states, as well as by the federal government and the U.S. military; and

Whereas, In determining whether the death penalty should be imposed under federal law, aggravating and mitigating factors are considered, which include offenses committed against certain individuals; and

Whereas, In addition to high-ranking officials such as the President and Vice President of the United States, these individuals include, but are not limited to, federal public servants who are judges, law enforcement officers, or employees of a United States penal or correctional institution; and

Whereas, Proposed federal legislation entitled the “Thin Blue Line Act” provides that the killing of any person who has been targeted because of his or her status as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, first responder, or corrections officer will be considered an aggravating factor; and

Whereas, In recognition of the selfless and heroic service of all law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, and corrections officers in New Jersey and throughout the United States, it is fitting and proper to consider a victim’s status as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, first responder, or corrections officer as an aggravating factor when considering imposition of the death penalty; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The United States Congress and the President of the United States are respectfully urged to enact the “Thin Blue Line Act,” which establishes as an aggravating factor in death penalty deliberations the killing of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, first responder, or corrections officer.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and to every member of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges the United States Congress and the President of the United States to enact the “Thin Blue Line Act,” which provides that the killing of any person targeted because of his or her status as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, first responder, or corrections officer will be considered an aggravating factor when considering whether the death penalty should be imposed under federal law.

Law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, and corrections officers are routinely called upon to serve and protect their fellow citizens by responding to horrific events and acting heroically to save the lives of others. As detailed in recent media accounts, there has been a national outbreak of violent and deadly attacks purposefully targeting law enforcement officers, including a recent attack in Dallas, Texas in which five law enforcement officers were murdered.

Although the death penalty has been outlawed in New Jersey, it remains authorized in 31 states, as well as by the federal government and the U.S. military. In determining whether the death penalty should be imposed under federal law, certain aggravating and mitigating factors are considered. The killing of certain individuals including, but not limited to, the President and Vice President of the United States and federal public servants who are judges, law enforcement officers, or employees of a United States penal or correctional institution is considered an aggravating factor.

This resolution urges the United States Congress and the President of the United States to include the victim’s status as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, first responder, or corrections officer as an aggravating factor when considering imposition of the death penalty under federal law. This recognizes the selfless and heroic service of law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, and corrections officers in New Jersey and throughout the United States.