Cops Group Declares: Tough-on-Crime Candidate Poised to Win Election as Next Attorney General in California

SPRINGFIELD, Va., Nov. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Law Enforcement is optimistic that tough-on-crime prosecutor Steve Cooley will prevail in the California Attorney General race.

The nation's largest coalition of law enforcement professionals, crime victims and concerned citizens is optimistically following the final ballot tabulation in the closest statewide election in America: the contest for California Attorney General.

This election pitted tough-on-crime Los Angeles County Prosecutor and former police officer Steve Cooley, overwhelmingly supported by rank and file cops and police leadership, including groups such as the California State Sheriffs' Association, California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA), the state lodge of the FOP and the California State Law Enforcement Association (CSLA), against San Francisco County Prosecutor Kamala Harris, a darling of the national liberal establishment who has come under fire for refusing to seek the death penalty in any case, including that of a police officer gunned down by gang member.

LEAA is the nation's largest coalition of law enforcement professionals, crime victims and concerned citizens and it works to promote common sense, tough-on-crime criminal justice policy at all levels of government. LEAA -- through a multitude of outreach efforts -- is actively involved in issues related to crime, justice and education regarding the need for meaningful criminal justice reform. This includes keeping criminals behind bars and calling on members of the leadership of the criminal justice system, including judges, to fight crime and protect the innocent while severely punishing criminals and not coddling those who flout the law or 'game' the system.

Retired police officer and LEAA Executive Director James J. Fotis remarked, "In the closest statewide election of 2010, much is at stake for the future of California. We are very pleased to see Steve Cooley retake the lead in ballot counting and optimistic that when all the votes are counted, it will be clear that Californians chose a common sense crime fighter over a political celebrity who refuses to respect the rule of law in California that provides for the death penalty for California's worst criminals."

LEAA national spokesman Ted Deeds added that as a non-partisan, non-profit, police-based organization that also supports victims' rights, LEAA is often an outspoken advocate in educating voters about important criminal justice issues regarding attorneys general and judicial elections. Said Deeds, "We stridently believe that voters want to know where candidates stand on important criminal justice and public safety issues. This is especially important to the public when it involves candidates directly involved in the criminal justice system, such as prosecutors, judges and attorneys general."

LEAA is a national leader in defending tough-on-crime public policy from the 'Death Penalty' to 'Truth in Sentencing' and 'Three Strikes', as well as supporting the rights of law abiding Americans to own firearms and defend themselves with them. For information about LEAA, visit its web site at www.leaa.org

The Law Enforcement Alliance of America, Inc., (LEAA) is the nation's largest coalition of law enforcement professionals, crime victims, and concerned citizens dedicated to making America safer and is a 501(c)(4) entity.

SOURCE Law Enforcement Alliance of America