Sen. Gowan Urges Support For Law Enforcement Families Through Prop 311

Sen. Gowan Urges Support For Law Enforcement Families Through Prop 311

By Daniel Stefanski |

A Republican state legislator is advocating for increased benefits for families of law enforcement who have experienced loss of a spouse or parent in the line of duty.

In the Arizona Senate Republicans’ recent newsletter, State Senator David Gowan issued a statement in support of a ballot measure that would provide financial assistance to the families of first responders who are killed in the line of duty through a criminal action – Proposition 311.

Gowan said, “Four Arizona police officers were tragically killed in the line of duty in 2024 alone, while many more have been seriously injured protecting our communities. Our state’s law enforcement puts their lives on the line daily. Their jobs have only become more dangerous as a result of the Biden- Harris open border crisis and the climate they’ve perpetuated against our law enforcement and first responders.

The Republican lawmaker added, “We need to do more to protect these heroes’ lives as well as their families, which is why I sponsored Prop. 311 on the November ballot. If approved, $250,000 would go to the spouse or children of a first responder killed in the line of duty as the result of a criminal act. The measure would also increase penalties for criminals who assault our first responders, which will hopefully save lives by acting as a deterrent. I believe we can really make a difference by establishing this support and protection for our state’s heroes and their families.”

According to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, Prop 311 would “require the state to pay $250,000 to the surviving spouse or children of a first responder killed in the line of duty.” The measure would “creat[e] a State Supplemental Benefit Fund to pay the State Death Benefit; increas[e] criminal punishments for aggravated assaults against peace officers and other first responders; and require a $20 penalty fee be imposed on every criminal conviction to fund the State Supplemental Benefit Fund.”

Tom Hatten, the Chairman of Back the Blue, issued a statement in support of Prop 311, writing, “Back the Blue will strengthen penalties on criminals who assault our first responders and establish a $250,000 survivor benefit to be paid to families of first responders who are killed in the line of duty, paid for by a $20 surcharge on criminal convictions. Best of all, it sends a strong message that Arizona stands with our first responders. Back the Blue gives us all a chance to show our support for the men and women who keep us all safe. They have our backs – it’s time for us to have theirs.”

Former Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio also weighed in to support the measure. He said, “Please offer your strongest support for this Back the Blue measure. As an elected official, I saw the ranks of our police department drop to dangerously low levels because of the attacks on our heroes and their families. This measure says we support our men and women in blue, we support those protecting our families.”

Prop 311 was one of several measures referred to the November General Election ballot by Republicans in the Arizona Legislature.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

University Of Arizona Convinces Police Officer To Take Social Justice Approach

University Of Arizona Convinces Police Officer To Take Social Justice Approach

By Corinne Murdock |

The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) convinced a cop to take a social justice approach in his career, based on their online programming.

UAGC featured this police officer, Michael Ander, in an article praising his commitment to social justice. As UAGC noted, Ander was unfamiliar with the concept of social justice until he began taking university classes. UAGC initially described social justice as equality and fairness for all in their article, but then described equity-oriented implementation. 

Equity proposes disparate treatment in order to achieve purportedly equal outcomes, unlike equality which proposes equal treatment that may result in unequal outcomes. Ander echoed that difference when defining social justice.

“Social justice seeks to understand the why,” said Ander. “Why people don’t have the same opportunities and why some people need more humanity than others.”

As Britannica notes, “social justice” is comparative to an equity-oriented concept known as “distributive justice” — “the fair and equitable distribution of social, political, and economic benefits and burdens.”

Ander initially left community college in 2011 when he was accepted in the police academy. It wasn’t until recent years that he returned to finish his degree — not out of an unprompted desire to do so, but rather because he couldn’t advance any further in his career field without one. In order to rise above sergeant to become a lieutenant, Ander was required to obtain a bachelor’s degree. 

UAGC gave Ander a full-ride scholarship in partnership with his former community college, Rio Salado College.

Ander received an online degree in UAGC’s Social and Criminal Justice program. As part of the program, students review the application of select social justice principles — equality, solidarity, and human rights —  as well as apply knowledge of cultural sensitivity and diversity awareness to social and criminal justice.

One of the program chairs, Shari Schwartz, has tweeted in support of social justice policies such as gun control, Black Lives Matter, ending the death penalty, and allowing gender transitions for minors.

UAGC focuses heavily on expanding social justice perspectives. The university frequently hosts diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) events. 

Forbes interviewed the UAGC chair of Forbes School of Business & Technology, Misty Resendez, about how social justice ideologies such as DEI are necessary components of education and leadership.

“My goal, my aspiration is to help educate leaders so they don’t fall to that dark side of leadership and to be aware, right, to help develop that self-awareness, that purpose-driven value leadership,” said Resendez. 

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.