[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 179 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTERS REFORM AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 
                                  2015

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise in 
support of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Reform and 
Improvement Act (H.R. 3842). This bipartisan bill will codify and 
reauthorize the duties and responsibilities of Federal Law Enforcement 
Training Centers (FLETCs). FLETCs improve domestic preparedness, 
prevention, and response to terrorism by providing basic and advanced 
training to federal employees involved in federal law enforcement 
activities or homeland security operations. I am proud that this 
important national security work occurs in several locations across the 
country, including in my home state of New Mexico.
  However, I have concerns about one particular provision within H.R. 
3842: The ability for FLETCs to offer state and local law enforcement 
agencies training, which is meant for federal security personnel. 
Although I strongly believe that federal security personnel need to 
coordinate and work closely with state and local law enforcement 
agencies to prepare, prevent, and respond to terrorism, I have grave 
concerns with the ability of community police departments to have 
complete and unrestricted access to military-style training at FLETCs.
  For example, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) has access to 
every Department of Energy National Training Center (NTC) class, which 
are intended for federal law enforcement personnel to protect our 
nation's nuclear materials. APD has completed dozens of DOE-instructed 
classes, including lessons on ``vehicle ambush,'' ``tactical leadership 
assault executions,'' and ``how to lead a small element in a combat 
situation.'' The U.S. Department of Justice is currently reviewing 
APD's use of NTC classes, resources, and facilities.
  I encourage FLETCs to enact sensible oversight mechanisms and 
restrictions on state and local law enforcement access to FLETC 
resources and facilities. FLETCs should have criteria to determine what 
training topics or classes, if any, are appropriate for state and local 
law enforcement. FLETCs should also consider the duty assignments and 
responsibilities of individual officers when determining allowing 
access. In addition, police departments under a Department of Justice 
consent decree for violating the constitutional rights of Americans or 
departments with a history of excessive or unnecessary force, should 
not receive military-style training provided by FLETCs.
  I will continue to work with the Administration on strengthening the 
mission of FLETCs and on ensuring that state and local law enforcement 
have appropriate access.

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