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FOP Update - January 28, 2022

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WEEKLY UPDATE | 28 JANUARY 2022NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE"THIS IS THE WORSTI'VE EVER SEEN IT"

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National President Patrick Yoes gave numerous media interviews in regard tolaw enforcement line-of-duty deaths, the crime wave many cities acrossAmerica are experiencing, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.National President Yoes joined NBC News to discuss how the recent attackson law enforcement, particularly amid the growing crime crisis, have someAmerican cities on edge. When asked if he's seen anything like it, NationalPresident Yoes said, “having worked 36 years in law endorsement, I can tellyou this, [attacks on law enforcement] is the worst I’ve ever seen it.” LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYNational President Patrick Yoes attended the funeral services for PastGeorgia National Trustee William Peacock, Jr.National President Patrick Yoes and Executive Director Jim Pascoparticipated in a law enforcement roundtable with U.S. Attorney GeneralMerrick B. Garland, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, and U.S.Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYNational Vice President Joe Gamaldi joined Fox News' America Reports todiscuss the surge in violence against law enforcement officers, noting thatlast year there were more than 360 police officers were shot nationwide, with63 of those officers being killed. Even worse, in 2021, ambush-style attackson police were up 115% from the year prior. National Vice President Joe Gamaldi joined Fox News' Harris Faulkner afterthe funeral service for fallen NYPD Officer Jason Rivera, who was ambushedand killed last week, along with his partner, to discuss the rise in attacks onlaw enforcement. National Vice President Gamaldi also called on Members ofCongress to support and pass H.R. 3079/S. 774, the "Protect and Serve Act,"which would make it a Federal crime to target a law enforcement officer withan assault that results in seriously bodily harm or death.

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYExecutive Director Jim Pasco and Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardsonparticipated in two separate discussions with members of the White HouseDomestic Policy Council regarding law enforcement recruiting issues as wellas firearms issues.Executive Director Jim Pasco spokewith Heather Fong, Counselor to theSecretary of Homeland Security,regarding border issues.Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with U.S. Associate Attorney GeneralVanita Gupta regarding grant programs and continuity of government.

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYExecutive Director Jim Pasco also gave numerous media interviewspertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccinations, and their impact on publicsafety. The National FOP believes in the science behind the COVID-19vaccines and that vaccinations work to prevent people from becominginfected by or transmitting COVID-19. However, the National FOP continues tobelieve that whether or not to accept the vaccine is a personal decision. Executive Director Jim Pasco gave numerous media interviews in regard tocriminal justice reform, the nationwide increase in violent crime, and the issueof rogue prosecutors failing to prosecute violent offenders. Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office ofAbigail A. Spanberger (D-VA) about H.R. 6375, the “COPS on the Beat GrantProgram Reauthorization and Parity Act,” and draft language that wouldamend the Healthcare Enhancement for Local Public Safety (HELPS) RetireesAct by eliminating the direct pay requirement and increasing the tax benefitfrom $3,000 to $6,000.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office ofRepresentative Karen R. Bass (D-CA) about H.R. 6375, the “COPS on the BeatGrant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act,” and the new language draftedto amend H.R. 3071, the “Public Safety Officer Support Act.”

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYSenior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison Matt Brownspoke with staff in the office of Representative Peter J. Meijer (R-MI)regarding H.R. 82, the “Social Security Fairness Act,” H.R. 962, the “LawEnforcement Officers Equity Act," and other FOP priorities.Legislative Liaisons Matt Brown and David Taboh participated in the monthlycall with other stakeholders as part of the Public Pension Network (PPN).Legislative Liaison David Taboh participated in a conference call regardingthe launch of Justice Counts, a new data initiative spearheaded by the U.S.Department of Justice.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the offices ofRepresentative David N. Cicilline (D-RI) and Senator John Cornyn III (R-TX)about the “Active Shooter Alert Act.”Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office ofSenator Timothy E. Scott (R-SC) about criminal justice reform and the newlanguage drafted to amend H.R. 3071, the “Public Safety Officer SupportAct.”Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office ofSenator Roy D. Blunt (R-MO) regarding the new language drafted to amendH.R. 3071, the “Public Safety Officer Support Act.”

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THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONSupreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer announced this week that he isplanning to retire at the end of the court’s current term. Justice Breyer hasserved on the bench for nearly 30 years, after being confirmed in 1994 on an87-9 vote in the Senate.President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., is expected to nominate a successor in thenear future, which would lock up the empty seat for years to come. PresidentBiden presided over Justice Breyer’s confirmation as the Chairman of theSenate Committee on the Judiciary. This is the first time in U.S. history that asitting President would name the successor to a retiring justice that theyoriginally presided over.THE UNITED STATES SENATEThe Senate was in a pro-forma session this week.THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESThe House was in a pro-forma session this week.THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

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TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIESCOSPONSORS60246186H.R. 82The “Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act" would expand the definition of "lawenforcement officer" for salary and retirement benefits to include all Federal lawenforcement officers.The “Social Security Fairness Act” would repeal both the "Windfall EliminationProvision" and the "Government Pension Offset" in current Social Security law.The “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act” would recognize the right oflaw enforcement and other public safety officers to bargain collectively with theiremployers.COSPONSORS92920H.R. 3225COSPONSORS121S. 1888NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATECOSPONSORS228664H.R. 962COSPONSORS43733S. 1302

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LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIESThe "LEOSA Reform Act" would amend the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act(LEOSA), which exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers fromlocal and State prohibitions on the carriage of concealed firearms, to ensure thatthese officers are able to carry in the same venues as civilian concealed carrypermit holders in areas like schools and national parks, as well as use publictransportation and extends the exemption to magazine capacity and would allowactive and retired law enforcement officers to access services at U.S. post offices,Social Security Administration offices or Veterans Affairs facilities.COSPONSORS220S. 1610COSPONSORS53541H.R. 1210The "Protect and Serve Act" would make it a Federal crime to target a lawenforcement officer with an assault that results in seriously bodily harm or death.COSPONSORS23230S. 774COSPONSORS46515H.R. 3079MORE RESOURCES ON OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIESFULL LIST OF LEGISLATION SUPPORTED BY THE FOP+1 NEW

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FOP NEWSROOMThe widow of slain NYPD officer Jason Riveraripped Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggin her husband’s eulogy at his funeral Fridaymorning, as she described the gut wrenchingmoment she found out he’d been killed... MOREWidow of NYPD officer Jason Rivera blastsAlvin Bragg in moving eulogy [NY Post]Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N.Mayorkas released the following statement onNational Human Trafficking PreventionMonth... MOREStatement from Secretary Mayorkas onNational Human Trafficking PreventionMonth [DHS]The number of officers feloniously killed in2021 was the highest number recorded in atleast two decades... MORECriminals are targeting cops at historiclevels following calls to defund the police[Fox News]All across the United States, our communitiesare seeing the real-life consequences of andfeeling the immense pain caused by the recentsurge in violent crime. More and more citizensin this country are justifiably living in... MOREStatement from National FOP PresidentPatrick Yoes on Violent Crime Crisis

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REGISTER FOR THE EVENT2022 VIRTUAL DAY ON THE HILLOnce again, the public health situation in Washington, D.C. has resulted inour decision to pivot to a virtual Day on the Hill. We have concluded it is veryunlikely to have a successful in-person event and, for these reasons, we willhost our 2022 Day on the Hill virtually, just as we did last year. Our event will begin on Monday, 7 February, with an online briefing on ourlegislative agenda hosted by staff in the National FOP’s Government andMedia Affairs Center (GMAC) and members of the National LegislativeCommittee. We encourage all of our members and Day on the Hill participants to set upvirtual meetings with your Members and their staff from your home Statesand districts—conference calls, Zoom calls or other virtual interactions for therest of that week, with a focus on Tuesday and Wednesday, 8-9 February. Even though these meetings will be virtual, it is important to make theseappointments in advance! Every effort should be made to have yourRepresentative or Senators participate in the meeting—making theseconnections is important, especially in an election year.

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SOCIAL SECURITYThis is About Fairness! UrgeCongress to Pass the "SocialSecurity Fairness Act."TAKE ACTIONFEDERAL OFFICERSSupport Our Federal Officers byPassing the "Law EnforcementOfficers' Equity Act."TAKE ACTIONLEOSA REFORMSupport Active and Retired LawEnforcement Officers by Passingthe "LEOSA Reform Act."TAKE ACTIONPROTECT AND SERVEUrge Congress to Protect OurPolice Officers and Pass the"Protect and Serve Act."TAKE ACTIONVACCINE MANDATESWe Must Keep Our COVID-19Heroes Employed! TellCongress to Pass S. 3079! TAKE ACTIONFOP ACTION CENTERCOLLECTIVE BARGAININGWe Must Fight for the Right toBargain Collectively! UrgeCongress to Pass H.R. 3225.TAKE ACTION

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Been Exposed?Are You Sick?READ MOREREAD MOREVIEW A STATE-BY-STATE BREAKDOWNThe National FOP provided memberswith information, released by theDepartment of Homeland Security,regarding non-U.S. individualtravelers entering the country at land portsof entry and ferry terminals. COVID-19 Information for Law EnforcementProtecting Public Safety and HealthFRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEJANUARY 21W W W . F O P C O V I D 1 9 . O R GThe National FOP provided memberswith information that was shared duringa White House COVID-19 ResponseTeam press briefing, where public healthofficials gave a general update on theCOVID-19 pandemic. JANUARY 24:COVID-19 ACTIVITYREAD MORE READ MORE

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LEARN MORE LEARN MORELEARN MORELEARN MOREWatch the latest FOP-TV episodesand hear from National FraternalOrder of Police leaders from acrossthe country as they discuss new andrelevant topics that are impactingour profession and important toleading our organization throughthese turbulent times.The Collaborative Reform InitiativeTechnical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) provides no cost, customizedtechnical assistance solutionsdesigned to meet the unique needsof state, local, tribal, & campus lawenforcement agencies throughoutthe United States.The COPS Office awards grants tohire community policingprofessionals, develop and testinnovative policing strategies, andprovide training and technicalassistance to community members,local government leaders, and alllevels of law enforcement. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP)provides innovative leadership toFederal, state, local, and tribal justicesystems, by disseminating state-of-theart knowledge and practices, andproviding grants for theimplementation of these crimefighting strategies. MORE RESOURCES

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P CThe Fraternal Order of Police is committed to improving theworking conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety ofthose we serve through education, legislation, information,community involvement, and employee representation. Our challenge to you is to have each and every FOP member inyour department, lodge, and State commit $5.00 a month to theNFOP PAC. Please contact the National Legislative Office to learnabout the various ways you can contribute to the NFOP PAC.The NFOP PAC is the power behindour organization's punch on CapitolHill, representing its members inthe most effective way possible. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEECAN YOU CHIP IN $5?DONATEClick Here

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328 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002 PHONE: 202-547-8189 FAX: 202-547-8190TI M R IC HA RD SO NSenior Legislative Liaison JI M P AS COExecutive DirectorDA VI D TA BO HLegislative Liaison MA RK M CD ON AL DLegislative Liaison JE SS IC A CA HI LLPress Liaison MA TT B RO WNLegislative Liaison