Earlier this month, the United States Senate tacked on an amendment to the 9/11 Commission Homeland Security Legislation that would create a “Rural Policing Institute” (RPI) within the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, which already offers limited training to local law enforcement, particularly in the drug field. Even so, only 32 officers across Virginia enrolled last year.
Senator Webb wants a rural-policing institute, but Albemarle cops question how much good it will do for them.
|
“Our rural communities are facing new challenges, particularly with the spread of methamphetamines,” said Senator Jim Webb, one of the 82 senators to back the amendment, in a press release. The institute, as advertised, will offer training programs to assist police troops in combating methamphetamine use and distribution, domestic violence and law enforcement response related to school shootings.
Still, it’s unclear just how the RPI would affect local law enforcement, or if there’s even a need for it. “We are right on the cutting edge with regards to domestic violence,” says Albemarle County Police Lieutenant John Teixeira. As far as response to school shootings: Thankfully, we haven’t had one, but Teixeira says county police are trained in a highly regarded program.
The discussion may be moot anyway. While the Senate recently approved the broad homeland security bill, the White House has threatened to veto it over an unrelated provision. Now the RPI amendment must go to committee, where a similar version was pulled last year during negotiations to resolve differences between the House and the Senate versions of the bill.
C-VILLE welcomes news tips from readers. Send them to news@c-ville.com.
