Submitted by Walker for Indiana
Walker
State Senator Kyle Walker’s campaign announced Monday that he has received endorsements from several statewide public safety organizations, including the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police, the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association and the Indiana Professional Firefighters PAC.
These police and fire organizations noted Walker’s leadership on several initiatives to support first responders and strengthen public safety.
The Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police, which represents over 16,000 law enforcement professionals serving all of Indiana’s communities, thanked Walker for his commitment to supporting police officers and the communities they serve.
“Senator Walker has led several efforts at the Statehouse to support law enforcement and the work our officers do every day to keep Hoosier communities safe,” said Bill Owensby, President of the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police. “He’s advanced innovative solutions to strengthen public safety, give more tools to law enforcement, and provide additional resources, training and support for police officers.”
In 2022, Walker authored legislation to improve electronic monitoring of offenders to prevent them from going on to commit additional crimes while under surveillance (SEA 9). He also authored bills to create the Marion County Crime Reduction Pilot Program to encourage law enforcement collaboration to tackle violent crime in the region (SEA 7), and to protect the identities of child crime victims (SEA 117).
In 2021, Walker co-sponsored landmark, bipartisan law enforcement legislation that provided expanded training for police officers (HEA 1006), and supported the state budget which gave raises to state police and excise officers and increased funding for the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and for other crime reduction programs (HEA 1001). He also sponsored legislation to create and fund the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force, enabling regional law enforcement agencies to work together to track guns used to commit crimes across Central Indiana and bring violent criminals to justice (HEA 1558).
The Indiana Fire Chiefs Association, one of the state’s leading organizations in representation, education, and support of Indiana’s fire and emergency medical services, praised Senator Walker for being a leading voice on public safety issues and his strong record on improving the access, strength, and efficiency of Indiana’s first responders.
“Senator Walker has earned the trust and support of the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association because we believe our members and all citizens throughout Indiana can rely on the Senator to be an advocate for our state’s fire and EMS services,” said Dan Sink, Goshen Fire Chief and President of the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA). “We thank him for his continuing efforts to strengthen those services and improve the quality of life for his constituents.”
In 2022, Walker authored legislation to improve the state’s EMS response process between the 911 system and municipalities to ensure that the closest emergency response agency is notified, regardless of jurisdictional lines (SEA 247). Walker also sponsored legislation (HEA 1314) that will provide more tools and resources to retired, professional, and volunteer firefighters.
In its endorsement, the Indiana Professional Firefighters PAC noted Walker’s support for issues that affect firefighters, paramedics and EMTs which make up their membership.
“Senator Walker’s commitment in the General Assembly to improving training standards, safety standards, and protecting our retirement and disability funds for firefighters and EMS professionals and their families makes us proud to offer him our support,” said Anthony Murray, President of the Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana (PFFUI) and the Indiana Professional Firefighters PAC. “This commitment makes it possible for our members to provide a high standard of care and service to the Hoosier communities we serve.”
“Our law enforcement officers, fire fighters, EMS and all first responders risk their lives to save others every day and they will always have my steadfast support,” Walker said.
Walker has also been endorsed by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana State AFL-CIO and the Indiana State Pipe Trades Association.
Walker’s district encompasses parts of Hamilton and Marion counties, including all of Fishers and part of Lawrence. For more information visit WalkerforIndiana.com.