Contending that a lawful society “is not possible without law enforcement,” Congressman Fred Upton this week has signed a nationwide police pledge to stand with law enforcement and “oppose any bill, resolution, or movement to ‘Defund the Police.'”
The pledge states, “A lawful society…is not possible without law enforcement,” and adds, “Police Officers have chosen a noble profession. They dedicate their lives to upholding the law and protecting the sacred rights of their fellow citizens. As a profession, they deserve support and respect.”
The St. Joseph Republican Congressman says, “Our police officers fight every day to protect our communities and keep us safe, and I promise to always have their back in that fight.” He adds, “These men and women have more courage in their hearts than most of us could ever imagine. They take an oath to protect our families and our communities, risking their lives every day for ours. Any time I have an opportunity to chat with an officer here in southwest Michigan, I always say, ‘thank you.’ They don’t hear that enough, and I will always be proud to stand for them.”
Local county sheriffs expressed their support for Upton’s pledge.
Collectively, Sheriff Frank Baker of Allegan County, Sheriff Paul Bailey of Berrien County, Sheriff Rick Behnke of Cass County, Sheriff Mark Lillywhite of St. Joseph County, and Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott of Van Buren County issued a statement saying, “The men and women who serve in law enforcement across southwest Michigan do so to help protect our communities and to keep southwest Michigan a great place to live. These jobs are challenging, but we are grateful to know that we have Congressman Fred Upton’s unwavering support here at home and in Washington. Fred has our backs and we have his.”
Upton’s team shared that in the Sixth Congressional District race, his Democratic opponent State Representative Jon Hoadley voted in June against a resolution encouraging local municipalities to not defund or abolish their police departments.
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market shows Upton speaking to the dedication ceremony at Benton Harbor’s Resiliency Plaza honoring the memory of 9/11 several years ago.
