Weeks after the National Fraternal Order of Police endorsed former President Donald Trump, a group of national law enforcement leaders has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
The group, Police Leaders for Community Safety, describes itself as a nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization established in 2024 that represents several dozen law enforcement officers. In a press release Monday, President Sue Reiseling voiced the organization’s support for Harris.
“This endorsement reflects Vice President Harris’ track record and her unwavering commitment to public safety and the rule of law,” Reiseling said. “As law enforcement leaders who have led leading groups in law enforcement and major national law enforcement agencies, we know firsthand what it takes to make our communities safer, and that includes having Kamala Harris as our next president.”
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The group’s first recommendation
The group was only formed in June, so this will be the first endorsement of police leaders for community safety, and the group will be endorsing Harris.
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Who are the members of Police Leaders for Community Safety?
Most of the members of the group’s national advisory committee and board of directors are former law enforcement officials, including former University of Wisconsin-Madison police chief Sue Reiseling as chair.
Other leaders of the group include David Mahoney, the former sheriff of Dane County, Wisconsin, and former president of the National Sheriffs’ Association, and Cynthia Herriott, a former chief of the Rochester Police Department.
Other legal groups support Trump
The endorsement comes after the nation’s oldest law enforcement lobbying group, the Fraternal Order of Police, backed Trump in recent weeks. The organization has supported Trump in the past three presidential elections.
“Public safety and border security will be key issues in the final months of this campaign,” said Patrick Yoess, national president of the Brotherhood of Police. “Our members carefully considered where the candidates stand on these issues, but there was no doubt in their minds about who they want as president for the next four years: Donald J. Trump.”
Another group, the International Federation of Police Unions, also endorsed former President Trump in February, citing Trump’s history of support for law enforcement in a press release as a reason for backing the Republican candidate.
“His policies and actions have been directed at improving the safety of our communities and the men and women who provide their shield. He has earned and deserves our wholehearted support,” the group said.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a featured news reporter for USA TODAY. Email him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com. Follow him at X @fern_cerv_.