CSSE Celebrates National Police Week

May 15, 2023 – The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections (CSSE) issues the following statement:

National Police Week is an opportunity to reflect on the work of law enforcement officers across the country and the sacrifices they make, including their contributions to keeping our elections safe and secure. Election officials and workers have increasingly faced violent threats, intimidation, and harassment as they seek to carry out their duties. When election officials are faced with these unlawful threats or intimidation, law enforcement officers are there to respond, playing a crucial role in helping to prevent and de-escalate dangerous situations. 

As part of our mission, CSSE is committed to fostering relationships and communication between election officials and members of the law enforcement community –  encouraging them to plan, prepare, and work in partnership to keep our election officials and voters safe.

This week, we recognize CSSE members who are current and former members of law enforcement for their dedication to protecting the people who administer and participate in our elections:

• Sheriff Don Barnes (Orange County, California)
• Major Christopher Grotton (Maine State Police (Ret.))
• Chris Harvey (Deputy Director of the Georgia P.O.S.T. Council)
• Neal Kelley (Former San Bernardino Police Officer and Riverside County Deputy Sheriff)
• Dr. Tracie L. Keesee (Denver Police Department Captain (Ret.), former NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Training, and NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Inclusion)
• Sheriff Peter Koutoujian (Middlesex, Massachusetts)
• Major Craig Latimer (Hillsborough County, Florida (Ret.))
• Captain Harold Love (Michigan State Police (Ret.))
• Sheriff Paul Penzone (Maricopa County, Arizona)
• Sheriff Justin Smith (Larimer County, Colorado (Ret.))

Learn more about the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections here.