FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2020
Contact: Ally Livingston, alivingston@jeanneshaheen.org

Manchester, N.H. – The New Hampshire Police Association, representing more than 2,000 police officers from the New Hampshire State Police, local and municipal officers, and corrections officers, endorsed Senator Jeanne Shaheen, highlighting her lifelong support for state and local police departments and her advocacy for mental health services and suicide awareness for law enforcement. In their endorsement announcement, the Police Association specifically thanked Senator Shaheen for her bipartisan efforts to increase opioid response funding for New Hampshire.

“From serving on the front lines of the pandemic to confronting New Hampshire’s opioid crisis, Granite Staters trust our local law enforcement to keep them safe, and I will always have their back,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “Throughout my career, I have fought to make sure they have the resources they need, especially during this pandemic, as state and local government budgets prepare for severe shortfalls. The men and women of New Hampshire law enforcement put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and strong, and I have fought to increase resources for mental health services to make sure law enforcement have the support they need. I am honored to have their support in this campaign.”

“Senator Shaheen has been a supporter of New Hampshire law enforcement and the law enforcement profession for her entire political career and 2020 has been no different.” said Mark Morrison, President of the New Hampshire Police Association. “Senator Shaheen has consistently worked hand in hand with law enforcement on a variety of topics from law enforcement suicide awareness to securing funding for community policing efforts. As New Hampshire deals with the opioid epidemic and all forms of substance misuse, Senator Shaheen has actively supported law enforcement and the state of New Hampshire in efforts to deal with it. In a time where differences in opinion are common, Senator Shaheen has been working with members of all parties to bring forward common sense reform measures that will have meaningful change and aid law enforcement in a responsible and successful way.”

In the Senate, Senator Shaheen has consistently fought for funding for New Hampshire law enforcement, helping secure hundreds of millions of federal dollars annually for COPS Hiring and Byrne-JAG grant programs. She also secured $5 million for mental health and wellness services for officers and helped create the first ever nationwide data set and report on police suicides for Federal, State, and local law enforcement. One of the first members of Congress to declare the opioid crisis an emergency, she took on her own party to increase funding and delivered a tenfold increase to $35 million for treatment and prevention in New Hampshire.

During the pandemic, Shaheen has been in constant contact with law enforcement to ensure they have the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to safely continue serving on the frontlines of this crisis. She also secured $4.4 million in CARES funding for New Hampshire law enforcement, and she continues to fight for a relief package that includes state and municipal aid.

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