WASHINGTON D.C., DC — When Congress passed a $1.2 trillion spending bill in March, the final budget did not include a $29 million funding request from the U.S. Department of Justice that would have improved safety for deputy marshals, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
As WCNC Charlotte reported in the aftermath of Monday's shooting, Director Ronald Davis expressed gratitude in February that the president included the funding in his budget proposal. USMS has since confirmed Congress did not approve the funding request.
Federal records show the agency planned on using the $29 million requested to establish a protective equipment program, which would've added funding for lifesaving equipment and additional deputy U.S. marshals (DUSMs).
"The USMS requests 20 positions (9 DUSMs) and $29,000,000 to establish the protective equipment program and provide resources to strengthen DUSM health and wellness," the President's Budget says. "The protective equipment program will focus on innovating, evaluating, selecting, procuring, distributing, and training of lifesaving equipment for DUSMs. This funding will allow operational employees to train more regularly within their team environment, with the best equipment, while utilizing common techniques and concepts. This request will make DUSMs safer, healthier, and more resilient."
Not only did USMS not receive that funding, a review of the previous two approved budgets shows Congress actually cut funding this year for the federal agency's salaries and expenses by $13 million in all.
North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards, a Republican representing North Carolina District 11, currently sits on the House Appropriations Committee.
"Congressman Edwards did not sit on the House Appropriations Committee for the FY24 bill drafting process and is not a member of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, but he will review any related funding priorities from the administration as the FY25 process moves forward to full committee consideration of each respective appropriations bill, including Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies," a spokesperson for the congressman said.
In February, USMS' director warned a House Judiciary oversight subcommittee of the growing safety risk to his deputy marshals and task force officers.
While USM has said the agency does not release specific employee training records, a spokesperson has since shared additional details about the training the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force receives.
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"The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, involved in the Charlotte incident, is a highly skilled unit whose training hours, including High Risk Fugitive Apprehension, exceeds the agency's annual requirement," the spokesperson said.
RELATED: Before Charlotte shooting, U.S. Marshals director warned of growing safety risk for officers
As WCNC Charlotte previously reported, a federal audit flagged the agency's failure to ensure all deputy marshals and task force officers were appropriately trained, citing the HRFA training specifically as an area for safety improvement.
"Following the 2019 OIG Audit, USMS now provides the core components of HRFA training to all deputy marshals in the training academy," the spokesperson added. "All deputy marshals in the field are required to receive annual training which includes blocks of instruction on HRFA. All TFOs are also required to receive the same blocks of training. To further enhance officer safety, the USMS has developed a 40-hour officer safety, human performance training course. This class was developed in 2022, and we are currently cycling deputy marshals and TFOs through this course. Providing this one-week course to close to 4,000 deputies and 4,000 TFOs will require time. No amount of training can eliminate the inherent dangers associated with arresting the nation's most violent fugitives."
Task force members were trying to serve a warrant on a convicted felon with a history of gun charges on the afternoon of April 29 when police said the man opened fire. Four officers were killed and several others were injured.
Contact Nate Morabito at nmorabito@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.