IBPO Endorses John Kerry for President
Says 2000 Choice George Bush Has Turned His Back on Police Officers;
Cites Kerry's Lifetime of Dedication to Law Enforcement

May 14, 2004

Washington, DC - The International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO) proudly endorsed Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry for President Friday, citing his commitment to law enforcement and public safety throughout his life of public service.

"John Kerry has been a friend of law enforcement officers for nearly thirty years, first as a prosecutor and now United States Senator, and the IBPO looks forward to working with him as President," said IBPO President David Holway. "After three and a half years of disappointing leadership under George Bush, we need to change course in November and elect a President with a real record of supporting police officers and a lifetime of standing with law enforcement."

"As President, I will build a stronger America by standing by police officers and giving them the resources they need to protect our communities," Kerry said. "I'm honored to receive IBPO's endorsement today, and I know that together, we'll work every day to make America safer and more secure. I believe that America should always honor and reward the courage and service of police officers. And when I'm President, that's exactly what we're going to do."

John Kerry has a record of standing by police officers. In the Senate, Kerry led the fight to fully fund efforts to add 100,000 police to our streets through his work on the 1994 crime bill the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. He supported the current ban on assault weapons and is a national leader supporting measures to crack down on armor-piercing, "cop killer," bullets. As a prosecutor, Kerry built a strong record of being tough on crime, winning convictions of high profile murder, rape and mafia cases.

IBPO endorsed candidate George Bush in the 2000 presidential race only to see him turn his back on America's police officers as President. He has cut the COPS program in every one of his budgets and threatened the overtime pay of officers across the country. He has also made it harder for police to do their jobs on the frontlines by not giving states and local communities the resources they need to fight the war on terror.

"John Kerry will give law enforcement more than empty rhetoric and meaningless photo-ops," Holway said. "A veteran who knows what it's like to put his life on the line for his country, Kerry will lead where George Bush has failed and provide the men and women who risk their lives to protect America's families with the tools they need."

As President, Kerry will provide states and localities the resources they need for crime fighting and homeland security, including $25 billion for fiscal relief. To help police officers on the front lines in protecting homeland security, Kerry will push for greater intelligence sharing between state and local authorities and federal agencies. He supports the reauthorization of the assault weapons ban and as president, will bring prosecutors into high-crime neighborhoods in an effort to reduce crime in the areas that need it the most.

The only major national police organization to endorse the winner of the last three presidential elections, IBPO is one of the largest police unions in the country. Recognized throughout the country for its effectiveness in protecting the rights of police officers, the IBPO has been instrumental in advocating for law enforcement and public safety at all levels of government.
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