; Whereas progressive politicians and interest groups have responded to this violence with calls to defund law enforcement agencies across the Nation; Whereas defunding or otherwise handcuffing law enforcement officers will make officers less likely to intervene in dangerous situations and will result in law enforcement pulling back from the neighborhoods they are entrusted to protect; Whereas violent crime increases when law enforcement is forced to withdraw from neighborhoods; Whereas the vilification of the Nation’s law enforcement officers and the embracing of hateful rhetoric against these brave men and women only places them further in harm’s way; Whereas these brave men and women must operate in an environment where their moral and legal authority is constantly being scrutinized, and they undertake the critical yet difficult task of addressing the actions of those affected by addiction, homelessness, and mental illness; and Whereas efforts to defund police departments will cause irreparable and lasting damage to the Nation: Now, therefore, be it