U.S. Representative Juan Guadalupe Ciscomani said on April 18 that he fought to secure $4 million for the Tucson Police Department to replace technology that is more than 25 years old, following the line-of-duty death of Officer Adam Buckner. The statement highlights congressional efforts to modernize law enforcement tools in southern Arizona.
The issue has gained urgency after Officer Buckner died in March 2024 while responding to a call when his patrol vehicle was struck at an intersection, according to his social media post. Rep. Ciscomani shared details of the funding allocation for the Tucson Police Department and linked it directly to recent events involving officer safety according to his social media post.
Tucson Police Department officers continue to use patrol vehicles and communication systems originally deployed in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The department has faced challenges maintaining response times and officer safety amid population growth in Pima County, where Tucson serves as the largest city. These conditions have increased calls for federal support to update critical infrastructure used daily by first responders according to city records.
Across the United States more than 40 percent of local police departments report using technology and equipment older than 15 years according to federal surveys. Line-of-duty deaths involving vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of officer fatalities nationwide with 2025 data showing continued risks from outdated response vehicles. Such statistics have driven bipartisan discussions in Congress about targeted grants for law enforcement modernization according to Fox10 Phoenix.
Ciscomani represents Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District after being elected in 2022 and reelected in 2024. The Tucson native is the first naturalized American citizen from Mexico to serve in the U.S. House from Arizona. He previously worked in the office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and served as membership director for the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce according to his official biography.
“Our officers deserve modern equipment to protect them as they work every day to keep our communities safe,” Ciscomani said.