The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police is urging lawmakers to keep public safety a top priority as they discuss cutting even more from the state Department of Public Safety’s budget. Hundreds of F.O.P. members who patrol Arizona’s highways are reminding Governor Brewer and state legislators that motorist safety is jeopardized by slow response times and fewer available officers.

"On behalf of our member officers across the state, we implore Arizona’s lawmakers to consider reasonable budget solutions that won’t decimate DPS," said Sgt. John Ortolano, president of the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police DPS Lodge 32. "It’s entirely possible that an injured motorist could wait hours for help, or that an officer in distress won’t receive immediate backup, and that’s simply unacceptable."

The F.O.P. urges lawmakers and the Governor’s Office to put public safety above politics. The organization also calls upon Arizona residents to contact their legislators and ask them to implement sensible solutions.