NCJ Number
130325
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 58 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1991) Pages: 18,20
Date Published
1991
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article presents the comments of President Bush and Attorney General Richard Thornburgh in a meeting on April 22, 1991 with 13 editors of law enforcement publications.
Abstract
In an opening statement, President Bush comments on his administration's commitment to steer a comprehensive crime legislative package through the U.S. Congress. He expresses his continued commitment to anti-narcotics efforts and the importance of preventive education in the schools. In response to a question regarding the potential significance of the success of the war in the Persian Gulf for domestic law enforcement, the President expresses his hope that the cooperation, planning, and execution manifested in the war effort could also provide lessons in teamwork and management for addressing the Nation's drug problem. A number of questions focus on current economic limitations in law enforcement. The President advises that the Federal Government cannot provide additional funds for State and local law enforcement, but can provide leadership and guidance for local law enforcement efforts. A question regarding the possibility of sending grant money directly to local police agencies is answered in the negative by the President, as he supports the concept of having State governments disperse Federal funds in accordance with States' assessments of their needs. Regarding Federal funds dispersed to the States, Attorney General Thornburgh advises that funds are being dispersed much more rapidly than previously. In response to a question on the implications of the police-brutality case in California, the President notes that he views this as aberrant rather than general police behavior.