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Rep. Steel Launches Law Enforcement Advisory Board

May 11, 2021

Hosted Orange County officers for lunch and discussion in honor of National Police Week

Huntington Beach, C.A. – In honor of National Police Week, yesterday Representative Michelle Steel (CA-48) launched a new Law Enforcement Advisory Board with members of Orange County’s law enforcement community. Rep. Steel hosted officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove and Seal Beach Police Departments to discuss ways to work together to improve community safety and share key priorities with leaders in Congress.

“Our law enforcement officers deserve our support and our thanks for the sacrifice and bravery they bring to our communities every day,” said Rep. Steel. “I am grateful for their input and guidance on this advisory board and look forward to continuing our conversations throughout the year.”

As Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, in 2020 Rep. Steel introduced a resolution to make August 11th “Law Enforcement Appreciation Day” in Orange County. In Congress, Rep. Steel is a cosponsor of the JUSTICE Act, introduced by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), a former police officer. This legislation would:

  • Increase the number of body cameras
  • Emphasize community reflective recruitment, ensuring the makeup of police departments more closely resemble the communities they serve
  • Restore investment in community policing, helping to build trust between officers and the communities they serve
  • Invest in improved police training, with an emphasis on de-escalation and duty to intervene

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.