Each day, more than 900,000 federal, state , and local law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep our
communities safe. Tragically, sometimes the unthinkable happens and a police officer is injured or killed in the line of
duty by a violent criminal. In such instances, the quick dissemination of important, time-sensitive information about
suspected criminals is essential to keeping our communities safe.
The National Blue Alert Act will encourage, enhance and integrate blue alert plan s throughout the United States in
order to effectively disseminate information notifying law enforcement, media and the public that a suspect is wanted
in connection with an attack on a law enforcement officer.
A growing number of states (now 18) have established a Blue Alert system. However, there is no national Blue Alert
system, nor is there a federal official designated to coordinate the Blue Alert program and share best practices among
states.

Specifically, the National Blue Alert Act of2013 directs the Department of Justice to:

• Establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to disseminate
information when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, in coordination
with federal, state, and local Blue Alert plans.
• Assign an existing DOJ officer to act as the national coordinator ofthe Blue Alert communications network.
This coordinator will, among other things:

o Provide assistance to states and local governments that are using Blue Alert plans ;
o Establish voluntary guidelines for states and local governments to use in developing such plans;
o Ensure compliance with privacy laws and civil liberties protections;
o Develop protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects;
o Work with states to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network;
o Act as the nationwide point of contact for the development of the network and the regional coordination
of Blue Alerts through the network; and
o Determine and share what procedures and best practices are in use for notifying law enforcement and the
public when a law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty
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