Congressmembers Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.-04) and John Rutherford (R-Fla.-05) introduced bipartisan legislation to address law enforcement officer mental health issues. The legislation, titled the Officer Wellness and Peer Support Act, is intended to “identify barriers to mental health support for law enforcement officers across the country,” according to a press release from Gillen and Rutherford.
The Port Authority PBA supports and recognizes the efforts of Congressmembers Gillen and Rutherford. Port Authority PBA President Frank Conti said, “On behalf of the Executive Board and the entire Membership of the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, I truly appreciate and respect Congresswoman Gillen’s recognition of not only the work that police officers do nationwide on a daily basis, but the inevitable associated costs and consequences incurred by those who choose this profession.”