From serving as local police officers to serving as members of Congress, our mission has remained the same: protect the American people and uphold the Constitution. 

This National Police Week, we reflect on how our time in Congress isn’t the first time we’ve raised our right hand and sworn an oath to defend this country. As former law enforcement officers, we both vowed to put our life on the line to protect our communities. The time we spent serving our neighbors as police officers is the inspiration for serving our neighbors as members of Congress. 

Whether it was in Mississippi or Colorado, our shared experience as police on the front lines of the community connects us and shapes the decisions and negotiations we make in Washington. We’re proud of where we come from, and we carry that perspective with us every day. 

As police officers, you don’t ask for someone’s party affiliation before stepping up to help. Whether they were a Republican, Democrat or Independent, it didn’t matter — what mattered was doing the right thing in the moment and keeping people safe. That same mindset guides our approach in Congress. We’re committed to giving solutions over soundbites and to working with anyone who shares our values of making America stronger. 

Unfortunately, dangerous anti-law enforcement political narratives have taken root in recent years — from calls to defund the police to support for sanctuary state laws. Most people who repeat these political talking points don’t realize that when they turn into policies, they have tangible consequences: rising crime, emboldened criminal networks and deadly drugs like fentanyl and tusi flooding our streets. These policies handcuff law enforcement and weaken national security, directly putting families at risk.  

Both of us came to Congress to fight these problems and to offer solutions. That’s why we are dedicated to introducing and supporting legislation with local law enforcement in mind. It is imperative we give local law enforcement the tools, support and legal authority they need to do their jobs to the best and highest of their abilities, no matter what state they serve in. 

For example, the UPLIFT Act tackles sanctuary state policies by empowering local law enforcement to go after foreign criminals and gangs operating in our communities, especially in sanctuary cities where local law enforcement’s hands are tied. There’s also the Resolution in Support of Law Enforcement, which calls for stronger penalties for assaulting or killing officers, increased mental health support, better training and equipment, and a coordinated national strategy to back our law enforcement professionals.  

There are real, actionable steps that Congress is taking to rebuild trust and reinforce safety in our communities, and they come from our time as police officers. As law enforcement officers, we sat through the briefings, de-escalated dangerous situations, buried our friends, comforted the living and worked hard on the front lines. That firsthand experience carries into every bill we introduce, every hearing we attend and every vote we cast. 

The combination of service as a law enforcement officers and service in Washington has shown us that restrictive laws and misguided policies frequently put criminals ahead of police officers and victims. Officers are expected to keep communities safe with one hand tied behind their backs. These limitations don’t just frustrate officers — they endanger the public.   

We didn’t come to Washington to play politics. We came here to serve our communities. 

Gabe Evans represents Colorado’s 8th Congressional District and Mike Ezell represents Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District.