Ten national law enforcement organizations have started a partnership focusing on effective strategies to address gun violence, calling the problem a “crisis” and “unacceptable.” The National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence was launched at International Association of Chiefs of Police convention in Orlando. The groups said that 100,000 Americans or killed or injured with firearms every year.
In 2008, 34 officers were killed in the line of duty with firearms. So far this year, there have been 43 such deaths. Chief Katherine Perez, president of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, said, “The trend is worsening, and we need to take immediate action.” Other groups involved in addition to the IACP itself include the Police Executive Research Forum, Police Foundation, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, National Sheriffs’ Association, and Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association.