Congressman spearheads ‘blue alert’ legislation
May 29, 2012
By Staff
U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert — Issaquah’s lawmaker in Congress — applauded the May 15 passage of legislation to create a National Blue Alert, a nationwide system to inform the public about people suspected of injuring or killing law enforcement officers.
Reichert, a former King County sheriff and Auburn Republican, cosponsored the National Blue Alert Act of 2012. The bill passed the House of Representatives, 394-1, on National Peace Officer Memorial Day.
“When a criminal murders a law enforcement officer, speedy apprehension is essential to protecting the public, preventing further loss of life and returning peace to communities,” he said in a statement.
The legislation establishes a communications network within the U.S. Department of Justice to disseminate information after a law enforcement officer is killed or injured in the line of duty.
The system is envisioned as similar to the AMBER Alert, a network of electronic billboards, TV spots and other messages to alert people to missing children.
The measure heads to the Senate for additional consideration.
In March, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a state “blue alert” measure into law.
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