Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/1731
62 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: MAY 2009 We've been "stuck on stupid" in American criminal justice S enator Jim Webb (D- VA) has introduced bipartisan legislation, The National Crimi- nal Justice Commission Act of 2009 (S.714), to create a blue-ribbon commission charged with conducting an 18-month, top-to-bottom review of the nation's entire criminal justice system and offering concrete recom- mendations for reform. Senator Arlen Specter (R- PA), the ranking member on the Judiciary Committee, is the principal Republican cosponsor. The high-level body cre- ated by the National Crimi- nal Justice Commission Act of 2009 legislation will be comprised of experts in fi elds including criminal jus- tice, law enforcement, pub- lic heath, national security, prison administration, social services, prisoner reentry, and victims' rights. The commission will be led by a chairperson to be appointed by the President. The majority and minority leaders in the House and Senate, and the Democratic and Republican Governors Associations will appoint the remaining members of the commission. "America's criminal justice system has deteriorated to the point that it is a nation- al disgrace," said Senator Webb. "With fi ve percent of the world's population, our country houses twenty-fi ve percent of the world's prison population. Incarcerated drug offenders have soared 1200 percent since 1980. "And four times as many mentally ill people are in p r i s o n s t h a n i n m e n t a l health hospitals. We should be devoting precious law enforcement capabilities toward making our commu- nities safer. Our neighbor- hoods are at risk from gang violence, including transna- tional gang violence." Webb said frankly, it was time to discuss the elephant in the living room that is the American criminal jus- tice system: "There is great appreciation from most in this country that we are do- ing something drastically wrong. And, I am gratifi ed that Senator Specter has joined me as the lead Re- publican cosponsor of this effort. "We are committed to get- ting this legislation passed and enacted into law this year." Jim Webb: a lifetime of service Webb was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri to James Henry Webb and his wife Vera Lorraine Hodges. He grew up in a military family, descended from Scots Irish immigrants from Ulster who emigrated in the 18th century to the British North American colonies. Webb's 2004 book Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America details his family history, noting that his ancestors fought in every major American war. After graduating from Annapolis, Webb was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a fi rst lieutenant during the Vietnam War, he served as a platoon commander with Delta Company, 1st Battal- ion 5th Marines. He earned a Navy Cross, the second highest decoration in the Navy and Marine Corps for heroism in Vietnam. Webb also earned the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. Senator Jim Webb (Democrat/Virginia) is leading the charge. The National League of Cities (NLC) recently ap- plauded the President and the Attorney General for their commitment to a part- nership between the federal government and localities. The recent announce- ment by Attorney General Eric Holder at NLC's Con- gressional City Conference to provide $1 billion for law enforcement is a welcome step that will employ more than 5,500 police during very diffi cult economic cir- cumstances. "It is hard to underesti- mate the importance of this announcement. "These funds are much needed and much appre- ciated," said NLC Presi- dent Kathleen M. Novak, who is also the mayor of No r t h g l e n n , Co l o r a d o . "The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program is a successful example of cities and the federal government work- ing together." The choice of venue also demonstrates the serious- ness in which the admin- istration takes the relation- ship between the federal government and cities. " By m a k i n g t h i s a n- nouncement at the National League of Cities, the Ad- ministration is showing how much it values the work cit- ies perform," Novak said. The COPS Hiring Recov- ery Program is a competi- tive grant program designed to address the full-time sworn offi cer needs of state, local and tribal law enforce- ment agencies nationwide. Through it, the Department of Justice will provide fund- ing directly to local law enforcement agencies to hire new law enforcement offi cers, or to rehire experi- enced offi cers. Attorney General Holder said the program does not require a match from local governments. NLC applaudes C.O.P.S. No matching funds required locally Circle number 64 on the Reader Service Card. Law Enforcement Tactical Entry Equipment Since 1987 GET MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! www.swatools.com (401) 305-3134