NJFOP Backs Menendez for Re-Election

New Brunswick, NJ — The Menendez for Senate Campaign today announced that the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police (NJFOP), which represents thousands of active and retired law enforcement officers across the state, has endorsed Bob Menendez for reelection to the U.S. Senate. Nationally, the FOP operates 2,200 lodges with more than 330,000 members, and is the voice of those dedicating their lives to protecting and serving our communities.

“I am grateful to have the support of the amazing men and women who serve our communities and keep our families safe, while bravely risking their lives each and every day to protect us,” said Sen. Menendez.  “As a former mayor, I understand what New Jersey communities need and the critical role the federal government can play in keeping our neighborhoods and residents safe.  That’s why I have continually fought for the federal resources our police and first responders need to do their jobs effectively and to ensure our public safety.  This election has never mattered more, and with your help, we will be victorious Nov. 6.”

“Senator Menendez has always been with us over the years on any national police issue.  He has always been honest with us and told us what he thought—whether he agreed with us or not—and because of his continued support for police, we have endorsed Bob Menendez as our candidate as we have in the past,” said NJFOP President Robert W. Fox.

Bob Menendez has been a champion for first responders, ensuring they have the personnel and equipment needed to both protect themselves and keep their communities safe.  The Senator leads the annual appropriations funding letter for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring program to help local law enforcement bolster their community policing efforts.  Under the COPS Hiring Program, New Jersey police departments received $103.2 million which they used to hire 570 police officers since 2008.

Sen. Menendez was the original author of the James Zadroga Act, named after the New Jersey native and NYPD detective who died from 9/11-related health issues, which he first introduced in 2006.  He was an original cosponsor of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act which created the World Trade Center Health Program to provide treatment and benefits to eligible emergency responders and recovery and cleanup workers that responded to the 9/11 attacks, while reopening the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).  He has since fought for the law’s extension.

Sen. Menendez has continually fought for robust, increased funding for Homeland Security Grant programs that provide critical resources for New Jersey.  In FY17, he secured for New Jersey: $8,337,000 from the State Homeland Security Program; $20,034,000 from the Urban Area Security Initiative; $8,370,698 in Emergency Management Performance Grants; $3,814,953 from the Nonprofit Security Grant Program; $3,606,228 from the Port Security Grant Program; and $21,799,373 from the Transit Security Grant Program.