By Joanna Putman
Police1
WASHINGTON -- A newly formed national police leadership organization, Police Leaders for Community Safety, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election, USA Today reported.
This endorsement comes just weeks after the National Fraternal Order of Police backed former President Donald Trump, according to the report.
Police Leaders for Community Safety was established in 2024 as a non-partisan 501(c)4 organization. Chairwoman Sue Riseling, former chief of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police, expressed the group’s support for Harris, citing her commitment to public safety.
“This endorsement reflects Vice President Harris’ track record and unwavering commitment to public safety and the rule of law,” Riseling said. “As police leaders who have led law enforcement agencies and the major national law enforcement leadership groups, we know first-hand what it will take to make our communities safer – and that includes having Kamala Harris as our next president.”
This is the first official endorsement for Police Leaders for Community Safety, which was established in June, according to the report. The group’s national advisory board is composed mainly of former law enforcement members, including David Mahoney, retired Dane County, Wisconsin sheriff, and Cynthia Herriott, former chief of the Rochester Police Department.
In contrast, the National Fraternal Order of Police, the nation’s largest law enforcement lobby, has endorsed Donald Trump for the past three elections, according to the report. Its president, Patrick Yoes, emphasized that Trump’s positions on public safety and border security make him the preferred candidate among their members.
The International Union of Police Associations also endorsed Trump earlier this year, praising his policies for supporting law enforcement and community safety.
