Our police officers are the cornerstone of our community’s safety. These men and women who protect us every day risk not only their lives but the well-being of their families to serve us.

However, it has become increasingly difficult to find individuals willing to make such sacrifices, and departments across the state are struggling to recruit and retain qualified officers. For these officers, not only are the risks high, but the rewards remain low. The average Colorado police officer salary is about $60,000, according to Zip Recruiter. And like the number of police officers per capita continues to decrease, the danger they face increases. In fact, violent and property crime rates still remain higher than they were before the pandemic.

For those who make the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf, their families only receive 70% of the salaries of those officers, often adding a financial crisis to a personal tragedy.

That’s why I support Proposition 130, which calls for the state to allocate $350 million in grants — not taxpayer money — to local law enforcement agencies to improve police pay, recruiting, hiring and training — including use-of-force training and apprehension — as well as bringing in extra officers to tackle certain types of criminal activity or focus on high-crime areas. Although the $350 million is a one-time set aside, the state should continue to pay the $1 million death benefit in the future.

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Importantly, the measure also establishes a $1 million benefit for the family of an officer killed in the line of duty. Too many families, who lose their loved one in a split second, face substantial financial struggles that only add to their prolonged and debilitating pain. Providing these families with some financial security is the least we can do when our loved ones sacrifice their lives to protect us.

To maintain a strong and effective police force, we must prioritize both recruitment and retention. The importance of retaining our most talented and ethical officers cannot be overstated. Staff shortages are not just a budgetary concern; directly affects public safety. Understaffing leads to increased overtime costs and decreased efficiency, which can hinder our officers’ ability to serve and protect.

Investing in effective training for our departments is equally crucial. Well-trained officers are better equipped to handle complex situations, make sound decisions under pressure, and keep the public safe.

In recent years, Colorado has taken significant steps to reform law enforcement with the goal of improving accountability and transparency. However, these well-intentioned changes must include a balanced system that recognizes and rewards the risks and hard work of our dedicated officers.

I urge you to join me in showing our officers, deputies and their families that we stand with them in support of safe and thriving communities.

Vote yes on Proposition 130.

Joe O’Dea, the 2022 Republican candidate for the US Senate, is the CEO of Denver-based Concrete Express. Inc.