Allen West Goes Around District Praising Police Officers After Voting To Cut Federal Assistance To Them

This week is National Police Week, an annual week of commemoration for the nation’s police officers that began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed “a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day.”

To mark this week’s celebration of those who protect and serve, Rep. Allen West (R-FL) attended multiple events throughout his district this week, praising his district’s police officers. These events were posted onYoutube. Watch a ThinkProgress compilation of West’s remarks before his district’s police officers:

There is certainly nothing wrong with West praising his district’s police officers, especially during a week where the country is thanking those who risk their lives to keep us safe and secure.

However, West’s gracious words for the nation’s police forces do not reflect his votes in Congress. West was a supporter of the GOP continuing resolution and budget plans, which cut $600 million to the long-standing Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, which channels federal dollars to local police forces across the country. If the cuts had passed into law, the GOP would have been “essentially killing the program.”

Numerous police officers in West’s district have been recipient of COPS grants. The program’s website shows that one city he represents, Hollywood, Florida, received $1,885,038 in grants for six officers:

West should back up his words with his votes. (HT: AmericanPatriotsPres YouTube account)