§50501. Definitions — Inbound Citations
34 U.S.C. § 50501
Cited by 78 provisions in release 119-102.
Citations to §50501(1)
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(a) The Attorney General shall assign an existing officer of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of the Blue Alert communications network.
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(b) The Coordinator shall—(1) provide assistance to States and units of local government that are using Blue Alert plans;(2) establish voluntary guidelines for States and units of local government to use in developing Blue Alert plans that will promote compatible and integrated Blue Alert plans throughout the United States, including—(A) a list of the resources necessary to establish a Blue Alert plan;(B) criteria for evaluating whether a situation warrants issuing a Blue Alert;(C) guidelines to protect the privacy, dignity, independence, and autonomy of any law enforcement officer who may be the subject of a Blue Alert and the family of the law enforcement officer;(D) guidelines that a Blue Alert should only be issued with respect to a law enforcement officer if—(i) the law enforcement agency involved—(I) confirms—(aa) the death or serious injury of the law enforcement officer; or(bb) the attack on the law enforcement officer and that there is an indication of the death or serious injury of the officer; or(II) concludes that the law enforcement officer is missing in connection with the officer’s official duties;(ii) there is an indication of serious injury to or death of the law enforcement officer;(iii) the suspect involved has not been apprehended; and(iv) there is sufficient descriptive information of the suspect involved and any relevant vehicle and tag numbers;(E) guidelines that a Blue Alert should only be issued with respect to a threat to cause death or serious injury to a law enforcement officer if—(i) a law enforcement agency involved confirms that the threat is imminent and credible;(ii) at the time of receipt of the threat, the suspect is wanted by a law enforcement agency;(iii) the suspect involved has not been apprehended; and(iv) there is sufficient descriptive information of the suspect involved and any relevant vehicle and tag numbers;(F) guidelines—(i) that information should be provided to the National Crime Information Center database operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under section 534 of title 28, and any relevant crime information repository of the State involved, relating to—(I) a law enforcement officer who is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty; or(II) an imminent and credible threat to cause the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer;(ii) that a Blue Alert should, to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation with law enforcement agencies of States and units of local governments), be limited to the geographic areas most likely to facilitate the apprehension of the suspect involved or which the suspect could reasonably reach, which should not be limited to State lines;(iii) for law enforcement agencies of States or units of local government to develop plans to communicate information to neighboring States to provide for seamless communication of a Blue Alert; and(iv) providing that a Blue Alert should be suspended when the suspect involved is apprehended or when the law enforcement agency involved determines that the Blue Alert is no longer effective; and(G) guidelines for—(i) the issuance of Blue Alerts through the network; and(ii) the extent of the dissemination of alerts issued through the network;(3) develop protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects that address activities during the period beginning at the time of the initial notification of a law enforcement agency that a suspect has not been apprehended and ending at the time of apprehension of a suspect or when the law enforcement agency involved determines that the Blue Alert is no longer effective, including protocols regulating—(A) the use of public safety communications;(B) command center operations; and(C) incident review, evaluation, debriefing, and public information procedures;(4) work with States to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network;(5) establish an advisory group to assist States, units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and other entities involved in the network with initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans, which shall include—(A) to the maximum extent practicable, representation from the various geographic regions of the United States; and(B) members who are—(i) representatives of a law enforcement organization representing rank-and-file officers;(ii) representatives of other law enforcement agencies and public safety communications;(iii) broadcasters, first responders, dispatchers, and radio station personnel; and(iv) representatives of any other individuals or organizations that the Coordinator determines are necessary to the success of the network;(6) act as the nationwide point of contact for—(A) the development of the network; and(B) regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and(7) determine—(A) what procedures and practices are in use for notifying law enforcement and the public when—(i) a law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty;(ii) a law enforcement officer is missing in connection with the officer’s official duties; and(iii) an imminent and credible threat to kill or seriously injure a law enforcement officer is received; and(B) which of the procedures and practices are effective and that do not require the expenditure of additional resources to implement.
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(ii) that a Blue Alert should, to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation with law enforcement agencies of States and units of local governments), be limited to the geographic areas most likely to facilitate the apprehension of the suspect involved or which the suspect could reasonably reach, which should not be limited to State lines;
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(iv) representatives of any other individuals or organizations that the Coordinator determines are necessary to the success of the network;
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(2) The guidelines established under subsection (b)(2) shall, to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation with law enforcement agencies of States and units of local government), provide that appropriate information relating to a Blue Alert is disseminated to the appropriate officials of law enforcement agencies, public health agencies, and other agencies.
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(d) The Coordinator shall cooperate with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Transportation, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and appropriate offices of the Department of Justice in carrying out activities under this chapter.
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(e) The Coordinator may not—(1) perform any official travel for the sole purpose of carrying out the duties of the Coordinator;(2) lobby any officer of a State regarding the funding or implementation of a Blue Alert plan; or(3) host a conference focused solely on the Blue Alert program that requires the expenditure of Federal funds.
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(1) perform any official travel for the sole purpose of carrying out the duties of the Coordinator;
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(f) Not later than 1 year after May 19, 2015, and annually thereafter, the Coordinator shall submit to Congress a report on the activities of the Coordinator and the effectiveness and status of the Blue Alert plans that are in effect or being developed.
Citations to §50501(2)
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The Attorney General shall establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice to issue Blue Alerts through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of Blue Alert plans, in coordination with States, units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and other appropriate entities.
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(a) The Attorney General shall assign an existing officer of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of the Blue Alert communications network.
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(B) criteria for evaluating whether a situation warrants issuing a Blue Alert;
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(C) guidelines to protect the privacy, dignity, independence, and autonomy of any law enforcement officer who may be the subject of a Blue Alert and the family of the law enforcement officer;
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(D) guidelines that a Blue Alert should only be issued with respect to a law enforcement officer if—(i) the law enforcement agency involved—(I) confirms—(aa) the death or serious injury of the law enforcement officer; or(bb) the attack on the law enforcement officer and that there is an indication of the death or serious injury of the officer; or(II) concludes that the law enforcement officer is missing in connection with the officer’s official duties;(ii) there is an indication of serious injury to or death of the law enforcement officer;(iii) the suspect involved has not been apprehended; and(iv) there is sufficient descriptive information of the suspect involved and any relevant vehicle and tag numbers;
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(E) guidelines that a Blue Alert should only be issued with respect to a threat to cause death or serious injury to a law enforcement officer if—(i) a law enforcement agency involved confirms that the threat is imminent and credible;(ii) at the time of receipt of the threat, the suspect is wanted by a law enforcement agency;(iii) the suspect involved has not been apprehended; and(iv) there is sufficient descriptive information of the suspect involved and any relevant vehicle and tag numbers;
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(ii) that a Blue Alert should, to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation with law enforcement agencies of States and units of local governments), be limited to the geographic areas most likely to facilitate the apprehension of the suspect involved or which the suspect could reasonably reach, which should not be limited to State lines;
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(iii) for law enforcement agencies of States or units of local government to develop plans to communicate information to neighboring States to provide for seamless communication of a Blue Alert; and
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(iv) providing that a Blue Alert should be suspended when the suspect involved is apprehended or when the law enforcement agency involved determines that the Blue Alert is no longer effective; and
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(i) the issuance of Blue Alerts through the network; and
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(3) develop protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects that address activities during the period beginning at the time of the initial notification of a law enforcement agency that a suspect has not been apprehended and ending at the time of apprehension of a suspect or when the law enforcement agency involved determines that the Blue Alert is no longer effective, including protocols regulating—(A) the use of public safety communications;(B) command center operations; and(C) incident review, evaluation, debriefing, and public information procedures;
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(B) regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and
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(2) The guidelines established under subsection (b)(2) shall, to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation with law enforcement agencies of States and units of local government), provide that appropriate information relating to a Blue Alert is disseminated to the appropriate officials of law enforcement agencies, public health agencies, and other agencies.
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(A) provide mechanisms that ensure that Blue Alerts comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local privacy laws and regulations; and
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(3) host a conference focused solely on the Blue Alert program that requires the expenditure of Federal funds.
Citations to §50501(3)
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The Attorney General shall establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice to issue Blue Alerts through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of Blue Alert plans, in coordination with States, units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and other appropriate entities.
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(1) provide assistance to States and units of local government that are using Blue Alert plans;
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(2) establish voluntary guidelines for States and units of local government to use in developing Blue Alert plans that will promote compatible and integrated Blue Alert plans throughout the United States, including—(A) a list of the resources necessary to establish a Blue Alert plan;(B) criteria for evaluating whether a situation warrants issuing a Blue Alert;(C) guidelines to protect the privacy, dignity, independence, and autonomy of any law enforcement officer who may be the subject of a Blue Alert and the family of the law enforcement officer;(D) guidelines that a Blue Alert should only be issued with respect to a law enforcement officer if—(i) the law enforcement agency involved—(I) confirms—(aa) the death or serious injury of the law enforcement officer; or(bb) the attack on the law enforcement officer and that there is an indication of the death or serious injury of the officer; or(II) concludes that the law enforcement officer is missing in connection with the officer’s official duties;(ii) there is an indication of serious injury to or death of the law enforcement officer;(iii) the suspect involved has not been apprehended; and(iv) there is sufficient descriptive information of the suspect involved and any relevant vehicle and tag numbers;(E) guidelines that a Blue Alert should only be issued with respect to a threat to cause death or serious injury to a law enforcement officer if—(i) a law enforcement agency involved confirms that the threat is imminent and credible;(ii) at the time of receipt of the threat, the suspect is wanted by a law enforcement agency;(iii) the suspect involved has not been apprehended; and(iv) there is sufficient descriptive information of the suspect involved and any relevant vehicle and tag numbers;(F) guidelines—(i) that information should be provided to the National Crime Information Center database operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under section 534 of title 28, and any relevant crime information repository of the State involved, relating to—(I) a law enforcement officer who is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty; or(II) an imminent and credible threat to cause the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer;(ii) that a Blue Alert should, to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation with law enforcement agencies of States and units of local governments), be limited to the geographic areas most likely to facilitate the apprehension of the suspect involved or which the suspect could reasonably reach, which should not be limited to State lines;(iii) for law enforcement agencies of States or units of local government to develop plans to communicate information to neighboring States to provide for seamless communication of a Blue Alert; and(iv) providing that a Blue Alert should be suspended when the suspect involved is apprehended or when the law enforcement agency involved determines that the Blue Alert is no longer effective; and(G) guidelines for—(i) the issuance of Blue Alerts through the network; and(ii) the extent of the dissemination of alerts issued through the network;
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(A) a list of the resources necessary to establish a Blue Alert plan;
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(5) establish an advisory group to assist States, units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and other entities involved in the network with initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans, which shall include—(A) to the maximum extent practicable, representation from the various geographic regions of the United States; and(B) members who are—(i) representatives of a law enforcement organization representing rank-and-file officers;(ii) representatives of other law enforcement agencies and public safety communications;(iii) broadcasters, first responders, dispatchers, and radio station personnel; and(iv) representatives of any other individuals or organizations that the Coordinator determines are necessary to the success of the network;
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(2) lobby any officer of a State regarding the funding or implementation of a Blue Alert plan; or
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(f) Not later than 1 year after May 19, 2015, and annually thereafter, the Coordinator shall submit to Congress a report on the activities of the Coordinator and the effectiveness and status of the Blue Alert plans that are in effect or being developed.
Citations to §50501(4)
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(B) includes a law enforcement officer employed by the Amtrak Police Department or Federal Reserve.
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(C) guidelines to protect the privacy, dignity, independence, and autonomy of any law enforcement officer who may be the subject of a Blue Alert and the family of the law enforcement officer;
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(D) guidelines that a Blue Alert should only be issued with respect to a law enforcement officer if—(i) the law enforcement agency involved—(I) confirms—(aa) the death or serious injury of the law enforcement officer; or(bb) the attack on the law enforcement officer and that there is an indication of the death or serious injury of the officer; or(II) concludes that the law enforcement officer is missing in connection with the officer’s official duties;(ii) there is an indication of serious injury to or death of the law enforcement officer;(iii) the suspect involved has not been apprehended; and(iv) there is sufficient descriptive information of the suspect involved and any relevant vehicle and tag numbers;
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(aa) the death or serious injury of the law enforcement officer; or
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(bb) the attack on the law enforcement officer and that there is an indication of the death or serious injury of the officer; or
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(II) concludes that the law enforcement officer is missing in connection with the officer’s official duties;
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(ii) there is an indication of serious injury to or death of the law enforcement officer;
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(E) guidelines that a Blue Alert should only be issued with respect to a threat to cause death or serious injury to a law enforcement officer if—(i) a law enforcement agency involved confirms that the threat is imminent and credible;(ii) at the time of receipt of the threat, the suspect is wanted by a law enforcement agency;(iii) the suspect involved has not been apprehended; and(iv) there is sufficient descriptive information of the suspect involved and any relevant vehicle and tag numbers;
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(I) a law enforcement officer who is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty; or
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(II) an imminent and credible threat to cause the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer;
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(i) a law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty;
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(ii) a law enforcement officer is missing in connection with the officer’s official duties; and
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(iii) an imminent and credible threat to kill or seriously injure a law enforcement officer is received; and
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(B) include standards that specifically provide for the protection of the civil liberties, including the privacy, of law enforcement officers who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, is missing in connection with the officer’s official duties, or who are threatened with death or serious injury, and the families of the officers.
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(a) Not later than 1 year after June 16, 2020, the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall establish, for the purpose of preventing future law enforcement suicides and promoting understanding of suicide in law enforcement, the Law Enforcement Officers Suicide Data Collection Program, under which law enforcement agencies may submit to the Director information on suicides and attempted suicides within such law enforcement agencies, including information on—(1) the circumstances and events that occurred before each suicide or attempted suicide;(2) the general location of each suicide or attempted suicide;(3) the demographic information of each law enforcement officer who commits or attempts suicide;(4) the occupational category, including criminal investigator, corrections officer, line of duty officer, 911 dispatch operator, of each law enforcement officer who commits or attempts suicide; and(5) the method used in each suicide or attempted suicide.
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(3) the demographic information of each law enforcement officer who commits or attempts suicide;
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(4) the occupational category, including criminal investigator, corrections officer, line of duty officer, 911 dispatch operator, of each law enforcement officer who commits or attempts suicide; and
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(d) The report described under subsection (c) may not include any personally identifiable information of a law enforcement officer who commits or attempts suicide.
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(2) the term “law enforcement officer” means any current or former officer (including a correctional officer), agent, or employee of the United States, a State, Indian Tribe, or a political subdivision of a State authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of the criminal laws of the United States, a State, Indian Tribe, or a political subdivision of a State; and
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(1) The term “law enforcement agency” means a Federal agency that employs a law enforcement officer.
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(2) The term “law enforcement officer” has the meaning given the term “Federal law enforcement officer” in section 115 of title 18.
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(4) The term “peer support counseling program” means a program provided by a law enforcement agency that provides counseling services from a peer support specialist to a law enforcement officer of the agency.
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(5) The term “peer support counseling session” means any counseling formally provided through a peer support counseling program between a peer support specialist and 1 or more law enforcement officers.
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(6) The term “peer support participant” means a law enforcement officer who receives counseling services from a peer support specialist.
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(7) The term “peer support specialist” means a law enforcement officer who—(A) has received training in—(i) peer support counseling; and(ii) providing emotional and moral support to law enforcement officers who have been involved in or exposed to an emotionally traumatic experience in the course of employment; and(B) is designated by a law enforcement agency to provide the services described in subparagraph (A).
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(ii) providing emotional and moral support to law enforcement officers who have been involved in or exposed to an emotionally traumatic experience in the course of employment; and
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(1) an observation made by a law enforcement officer of a peer support participant outside of a peer support counseling session; or
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(2) knowledge of a law enforcement officer about a peer support participant not gained from a peer support communication.
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(a) The President shall issue a medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders who were killed in the line of duty.
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(B) In the case of an official finding of wrongdoing, the Commission established under subsection (c) shall investigate the circumstances surrounding the law enforcement officer’s or first responder’s cause of death, including considering any findings by the local, State, Tribal, territorial, or Federal agency with respect to the officer’s or responder’s death. The Commission established under subsection (c) shall make a final determination as to the officer’s eligibility for the medal established under subsection (a).
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(C) In this paragraph, the term “official finding of wrongdoing” means a determination by the law enforcement officer’s or first responders’ superior officer or employing law agency that the officer acted outside of the scope of their duties or not in accordance with the agency’s official policies or procedures.
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(1) The President shall establish a Commission on the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders (hereinafter known as the “Commission”).
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(2) Not later than 150 days after May 28, 2026, the President shall appoint 12 members of the Commission. Such members shall be law enforcement officers, first responders, and representatives of organizations knowledgeable about law enforcement.
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(A) advise the Commission on the design of the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders;
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(B) promote the establishment of the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders;
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(C) determine how the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders shall be presented;
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(6) The Commission shall award the following law enforcement officers the medal of sacrifice:(A) Deputy Ralph “Butch” Waller (Badge #8434);(B) Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz (Badge #7637); and(C) Deputy Luis Paez (Badge #3882).
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(d) The medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders shall be a modified quatrefoil, with rounded lobes extending from a central octagon. The field incorporates features of the Great Seal of the United States, redesigned by Tiffany & Co1 in 1885. The American eagle is charged with a coat of arms as a shield, argent, on a chevron gules between three lions rampant azure, as many chevronels argent; the crest, out of a coronet or, a double-tailed lion rampant azure, holding in its dexter paw a torch or enflamed proper; and “Integritas” included as a motto. Surrounding the seal are mullets, 47 in number, alternating with three rampant lions and incorporating four chevrons. In base, the word “SACRIFICE” is inscribed. In dexter base, three oak leaves are placed, symbolizing the national tree of the U.S., representing strength, resilience, and honoring the families and widows of the fallen. The reverse of the medal is sandblasted and bears an engraving of the names of the fallen heroes. The medal is suspended from a ribbon, either Azure or Gules depending on the fallen hero being honored. The ribbon bail is prepared and attached by hand soldering to the back of the medal. The medal is crafted from Silver Ag925 with 24k Gold Vermeil, with a weight of approximately 63 grams. It has a diameter of 2.25 inches. The Vermeil plating has a thickness of 2.5 microns. The medal combines national symbols with heraldic elements to represent the sacrifice of the fallen deputies. The use of Silver and Gold signifies the value and honor associated with their service.
Citations to §50501(5)
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The Attorney General shall establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice to issue Blue Alerts through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of Blue Alert plans, in coordination with States, units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and other appropriate entities.
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(a) The Attorney General shall assign an existing officer of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of the Blue Alert communications network.
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(i) the issuance of Blue Alerts through the network; and
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(ii) the extent of the dissemination of alerts issued through the network;
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(5) establish an advisory group to assist States, units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and other entities involved in the network with initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans, which shall include—(A) to the maximum extent practicable, representation from the various geographic regions of the United States; and(B) members who are—(i) representatives of a law enforcement organization representing rank-and-file officers;(ii) representatives of other law enforcement agencies and public safety communications;(iii) broadcasters, first responders, dispatchers, and radio station personnel; and(iv) representatives of any other individuals or organizations that the Coordinator determines are necessary to the success of the network;
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(iv) representatives of any other individuals or organizations that the Coordinator determines are necessary to the success of the network;
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(A) the development of the network; and
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(B) regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and