National law enforcement group endorses Kamala Harris for president

A group of national law enforcement leaders have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris weeks after the National Fraternal Order of Police backed former President Donald Trump.

The group, Police Leaders for Community Safety, was created in 2024 as a non-partisan 501(c)4, and describes itself as an organization that represents dozens of police officials. In a press release Monday, chairwoman Sue Riseling expressed the organization's support for Harris.

“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.”

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First endorsement for the group

As the group has only been around since June, this marks the first endorsement for Police Leaders for Community Safety, with the group throwing their support for Harris.

Who is part of Police Leaders for Community Safety?

The majority of the members in the group's national advisory board and its board of directors are former law enforcement members. Among them is their chairwoman, Sue Riseling, the former chief of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police.

Other members of the group's leadership include David Mahoney, retired Dane County, Wisconsin sheriff and past president of the National Sheriffs’ Association, and Cynthia Herriott, former chief of the Rochester Police Department.

Other law groups go for Trump

The endorsement comes as the National Fraternal Order of Police, the nation's oldest law enforcement lobby, endorsed Trump in recent weeks. The organization has endorsed Trump in the last three presidential elections.

“Public safety and border security will be important issues in the last months of this campaign,” Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police said. “Our members carefully considered the positions of the candidates on the issues and there was no doubt—zero doubt—as to who they want as our President for the next four years: Donald J. Trump.”

Another group, the International Union of Police Associations also threw its support behind Former President Trump in February. In a press release, the union cited Trump's history of support for law enforcement as a reason to endorse the Republican candidate.

"His policies and actions were directed at improving safety in our communities and the men and women who provide that shield. He has earned and deserves our wholehearted support," the organization said.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Police Leaders for Community Safety endorses Kamala Harris