May 15, 2026

National Police Week: Honoring the Profession and Advancing Public Safety Priorities

Police and law enforcement officers from across the United States gathered in Washington, DC, to honor the service and sacrifice of all policing professionals during National Police Week, Congress advanced several bipartisan public safety initiatives while federal agencies, congressional leaders, and law enforcement organizations engaged on issues impacting the policing profession. This week brought significant legislative movement, continued discussions surrounding officer wellness and public safety resources, and engagement on emerging threats facing communities nationwide.

House Action

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed several bipartisan public safety bills under suspension of the rules.

• • H.R. 2853 – Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 (CORCA)
    This legislation strengthens coordination between federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to address organized retail crime and cargo theft operations occurring across jurisdictions.
  • H.R. 2267 – NICS Data Reporting Act of 2025
    The bill aims to improve the reporting and submission of relevant records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to strengthen the effectiveness and accuracy of background checks.
  • H.R. 8352 – Criminal History Access Act of 2026
    This legislation improves access to criminal history information for law enforcement agencies and authorized entities to support hiring, investigations, and public safety operations.

All three bills passed the House and now await Senate consideration.

Senate Judiciary Committee Police Week Markup

In conjunction with National Police Week, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bipartisan package of policing-focused legislation intended to support officer wellness, improve leadership and training opportunities, strengthen investigative capabilities, and ensure officers and surviving families receive critical support services.

The committee favorably reported the following bills:

• • S. 3897 – Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026
    The legislation aims to improve and expedite the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program process for injured officers and surviving families. During the markup, Senator Ted Cruz specifically recognized IACP among the organizations supporting the legislation.
  • S. 825 – Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2026
    Directs the Department of Justice to develop treatment and support programs for first responders experiencing PTSD and trauma-related mental health challenges.
  • S. 1890 – Carla Walker Act
    Establishes a pilot grant program supporting forensic genetic genealogy and advanced DNA analysis capabilities to assist law enforcement agencies investigating cold cases and violent crimes.
  • S. 736 – Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act
    Strengthens penalties related to smuggling contraband cellphones into correctional facilities and directs review of related enforcement policies.
  • S. 3966 – TREY’S Law
    Prohibits enforcement of nondisclosure agreements that prevent survivors from disclosing child sexual abuse.
  • S. 3041 – Tribal Warrant Fairness Act
    Expands collaboration between tribal law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Marshals Service to support execution of tribal criminal warrants and improve public safety coordination.

Digital Asset Market Clarity Act and Crypto ATM Updates

This week, the Senate Banking Committee voted to advance the H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. This legislation is intended to establish a clearer federal regulatory framework for digital assets and cryptocurrency markets.

Ahead of the markup, IACP joined a coalition of law enforcement and prosecutor organizations in sending a letter to Senate Banking Committee leadership expressing concerns about Section 604 of the legislation. The coalition warned that gaps in oversight and accountability could make it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to investigate and combat crimes involving digital assets, including fraud, organized retail crime, narcotics trafficking, ransomware, child exploitation, and terrorism financing. To read the joint letter, click here.

Throughout the week, IACP also met with congressional offices, to discuss the growing public safety concerns surrounding cryptocurrency kiosks and crypto ATM fraud schemes that continue to target vulnerable populations nationwide. To view IACP’s recently passed resolution on the topic, click here.

IACP Police Week Engagement

The IACP Board of Directors Spring Governing Body Meetings was held at IACP HQ in Alexandria, Virginia, in conjunction with National Police Week.

Throughout the week, IACP leadership and staff participated in a range of events honoring fallen officers and engaging with federal partners and congressional leaders.

IACP representatives attended the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil honoring officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, where IACP President David B. Rausch was honored to read the names of fallen officers added to the memorial this year.

IACP staff and leadership also participated in

• • FBI Wall of Honor Memorial Service
  • ATF Memorial Observance
  • DEA Memorial Service
  • CBP Valor Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony
  • National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service
  • FOP Annual Peace Officers’ Memorial Service Breakfast
  • DOJ Police Week Reception and engagements
  • A Roundtable hosted by the House Committee on Homeland Security
  • “Coffee with Law Enforcement” hosted by House Speaker Mike Johnson
  • White House National Police Week events and meetings with White House officials
  • Meeting with Director Kash Patel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Meeting with Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr.

Past Legislative Updates