Rep. Flood Launches "Nebraska Backs the Blue" Initiative
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood launched “Nebraska Backs the Blue,” a new initiative to support the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers in Nebraska. “Nebraska Backs the Blue” is a loose coalition of elected officials, law enforcement officials, and community leaders who want to get the word out: Nebraska wants more peace officers to choose the Good Life.
“While respect for law enforcement has deteriorated in large urban centers, Nebraska has continued our tradition of supporting the men and woman who wear the uniform and keep our communities safe each and every day,” said Rep. Flood. “‘Nebraska Backs the Blue’ is a movement aimed at getting more Americans to consider becoming law enforcement officials in Nebraska from both within and outside of the state. I am excited about what we can accomplish with this. There truly is an opportunity in Nebraska for every person considering a job in law enforcement.”
At the “Nebraska Backs the Blue” launch, Rep. Flood was joined by State Senator Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, Norfolk Chief of Police Don Miller, Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner, and the Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol Colonel John Bolduc. During the event, Rep. Flood announced that he had added a page on his congressional website featuring resources for law enforcement officers across the country that are interested in Nebraska. The page can be found by clicking here.
Earlier in the day, Rep. Flood hosted a roundtable with key law enforcement leaders to listen to challenges they’ve been experiencing with recruitment and retention. He also recently delivered a floor address highlighting the advantages Nebraska offers for people working in law enforcement. Video of the remarks can be found by clicking here.
NEBRASKA BACKS THE BLUE BACKGROUND
In 2022, before he entered Congress, Rep. Flood was the proud cosponsor of the Law Enforcement Attraction and Retention Act in the Nebraska Legislature. This bill provided a variety of cash incentives for individual officers to help law enforcement agencies retain their workforce. It received nearly unanimous approval from the body.
In the 2023, State Senator Eliot Bostar offered and passed the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Law, which allows for sworn officers and their dependents to receive a 100% tuition waiver at any state university, college, or community college that is good for five years.
Nebraska has also continually maintained the policy of qualified immunity for law enforcement officials, while many other states such as Colorado, Connecticut, New Mexico, and New York have done away with the policy.
Feedback from today’s roundtable and other avenues will help inform the ongoing work of “Nebraska Backs the Blue.”