Hoffman Sponsoring Legislation to Honor Retiring Police Officers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is sponsoring legislation to allow police officers the opportunity to purchase their service badges and firearms upon retirement.

“The men and women who are actively involved in serving on the frontlines to protect the interests and safety of our communities deserve our unwavering support,” Hoffman said. “As a token of gratitude for their dedication and service, I’m proud to sponsor a bill that would allow law enforcement officers to purchase their official state badge and service weapon at the time of their retirement from duty.”

Currently, state law dictates that law enforcement officers be required to return their state badge and service weapon to the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) upon retirement. Hoffman’s Senate bill 2640 simply allows officers retiring from the State Police Department, Secretary of State’s office, Department of Natural Resources, and State Fire Marshal Arson Investigator Special Agents to purchase their badge and service weapon.

“Our police risk a great deal in the line of duty to meet the unique demands of the communities they serve,” Hoffman said. “The least we can do to express our ongoing thanks and support is to legitimize the ownership of the very tools they utilize during the course of their service.”