Washington, D.C. – In honor of National Police Week, today, Congressman Tom Emmer sent a letter to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) urging that language fully funding the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program be included in the Fiscal Year 2026 CJS government funding bill.

“We cannot overlook the psychological toll that comes with a career in law enforcement. These men and women risk their lives every day to keep us safe. We are proud to lead this effort to equip law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to support officers’ mental health amid growing challenges,” Congressman Emmer said.

Background
The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program was created in 2018. This nonpartisan program provides resources and grants for law enforcement agencies to develop internal mental health and peer monitoring programs, tools for suicide prevention, as well as support and resources for officers’ families. In 2023, the program provided more than $9 million in grants to local law enforcement agencies across the country, including a grant for the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

You can read the letter in its entirety here. 

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