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FOP Update - May 10

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NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE WASHINGTON WATCH LEGISLATIVE UPDATE WEEK OF 10 MAY 2020 SALUTE TO OUR FALLEN HEROES FOP Honors 185 Officers Ultimate Sacrifice Amid Pandemic 106 Officers Have Died Due To COVID 19 Senate Passes Resolution to Honor Fallen Officers House Fails to Recognize Police Week for the Second Year in a Row PATRICK YOES National President Sign Up To Receive The FOP s Weekly Update JIM PASCO Executive Director

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY National President Patrick Yoes joined Attorney General William P Barr Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F Wolf and Jim Carroll Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy as a panelist on the White House s Police Week Briefing Call with America s Law Enforcement Executive Director Jim Pasco and the National Legislative Office staff were also on the briefing call Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Jack A Rauch Deputy Associate Director with the White House Office of Public Liaison regarding the Administration s actions to combat the coronavirus FOP s video memorial tribute to honor our fallen officers the President s meeting with FOP members during his trip to Pennsylvania pending legislation and the White House s Police Week briefing call Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Tim Shea Interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia regarding recent instances of violence against law enforcement officers Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Brian Dorow Deputy Assistant Secretary Office for State and Local Law Enforcement OSLLE regarding the White House s Police Week briefing call as well as issues pertaining to law enforcement officers acquiring personal protective equipment PPE and COVID 19 tests FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Jeffrey R Favitta Senior Law Enforcement Advisor to the Attorney General regarding the FOP s request for the Department of Justice DOJ to issue a Statement of Interest in the New Jersey FOP s LEOSA case against the New Jersey Attorney General and State Police Commissioner Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Rachel Bissex Deputy Chief of Staff to the Attorney General regarding the ongoing cooperative efforts between the DOJ and the FOP Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Dean M Kueter Jr Executive Director of the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice regarding the White House s Police Week briefing call activities related to the Commission and pending action Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson presented on behalf of the FOP at an informational webinar briefing for congressional staff entitled Supporting Public Safety s Response to COVID 19 Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with Representative Carolyn B Maloney D NY regarding her draft legislation that would create a compensation fund modeled on the 9 11 Victims Compensation Fund for law enforcement and other essential workers who are injured or impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with Hope D Janke Director of the Office of Public Safety Officers Benefits PSOB program about pending legislation and how the PSOB program under current law processes death benefits claims of officer s who took their own lives owing to a duty related mental illness like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with minority staff of the House Judiciary Committee about the Public Safety Officers Benefits PSOB program and pending legislation Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office of Senator Patrick J Leahy D VT about the need for legislation to amend the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act to suspend the qualification requirement for qualified retired law enforcement officers for the duration of the national emergency and a potential companion bill for H R 1156 the LEOSA Reform Act Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson participated in a virtual hearing of the Police Officer Health Working Group of the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice at which Dr Darren L Higginbotham presented on Best Practices for Police Officer Mental Wellness FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson participated in a virtual hearing of the Social Problems Impacting Public Safety Working Group at which Hallie Fader Towe program director for Behavioral Health at the Council of State Governments presented Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson participated in a virtual hearing of the Recruitment Retention and Training Working Group of the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice at which the following persons presented William Bill Johnson Executive Director National Association of Police Organizations Inc NAPO Mark Napier Sheriff Pima County AZ Michael Harrison Commissioner Baltimore MD and Sylvia Moir Chief Tempe AZ Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson participated in two virtual hearings of the Recruitment Retention and Training Working Group of the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice at which the following persons presented Erik Bourgerie Director Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training POST Ric Bradshaw Sheriff Palm Beach County FL and Grady Judd Sheriff Polk County FL Legislative Liaison Mark McDonald spoke with Amy Huston Lead Chief of Staff State Outreach and Consultation for AT T s FirstNet program regarding a new partnership between the FOP and FirstNet Built With AT T FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON D C THE WHITE HOUSE President Donald J Trump delivered a special video message at this year s National Peace Officers Memorial Service President Donald J Trump took time to meet with the State leadership and members of the FOP during his trip to Pennsylvania FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON D C THE U S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House is expected to pass H R 6800 the HEROES Act largely along party lines The legislation which consists of 1 815 pages is considered to be the Phase 4 bill in response to the current pandemic and is still being analyzed by staff It is not expected to be considered by the Senate but will serve as a starting point for future negotiations The House also adopted a rule change that will allow for proxy voting FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON D C THE UNITED STATES SENATE The Senate unanimously passed S Res 577 during National Police Week The resolution introduced by Senators Lindsey O Graham R SC and Dianne G Feinstein D CA was cosponsored by 87 members of the Senate and designates the week of 10 May through 16 May 2020 as National Police Week The Senate unanimously passed S 2746 the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act The legislation would establish a program to collect data on law enforcement and former law enforcement suicides at the local State and Federal level The bill now goes to the House for further action The Senate unanimously passed S 3434 the Confidentiality Opportunities for Peer Support COPS Counseling Act The legislation would reduce the barriers for law enforcement officers when trying to access mental health resources The bill now goes to the House for further action The Senate passed S 3607 the Safeguarding America s First Responders Act by voice vote The legislation would establish that officers who die or who are disabled from COVID 19 or a COVID 19 related illness are presumed to have done so in the line of duty and are eligible for the death benefit administered by the Public Safety Officers Benefits PSOB program The bill now goes to the House for further action FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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NATIONAL FOP S NEW COVID 19 SITE National President Patrick Yoes announced that the FOP has launched its new COVID 19 website This new website contains comprehensive COVID 19 information specific to law enforcement Please Visit FOPcovid19 org FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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NATIONAL FOP COVID 19 ACTIVITY May 15 Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Jack A Rauch Deputy Associate Director with the White House Office of Public Liaison regarding the Administration s actions to combat the coronavirus FOP s video memorial tribute to honor our fallen officers the President s meeting with FOP members during his trip to Pennsylvania pending legislation and the White House s Police Week Briefing Call with America s Law Enforcement May 15 Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Brian Dorow Deputy Assistant Secretary Office for State and Local Law Enforcement OSLLE regarding the White House s Police Week briefing call as well as issues pertaining to law enforcement officers acquiring personal protective equipment PPE and COVID 19 tests May 15 Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with minority staff of the House Judiciary Committee about the Public Safety Officers Benefits PSOB program and pending legislation May 15 Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office of Senator Patrick J Leahy D VT about the need for legislation to amend the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act to suspend the qualification requirement for qualified retired law enforcement officers for the duration of the national emergency and a potential companion bill for H R 1156 the LEOSA Reform Act FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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NATIONAL FOP COVID 19 ACTIVITY May 12 Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson presented on behalf of the FOP at an informational webinar briefing for congressional staff entitled Supporting Public Safety s Response to COVID 19 May 11 The National Legislative Office provided FOP members with information regarding which states have taken action to address the issue of establishing a presumption within their existing workman s compensation programs that public safety officers who are exposed to or contract COVID 19 did so in the line of the duty This map below reflects those states that have taken executive and or legislative actions including when those actions are limited in scope FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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UPDATE FOP TOP PRIORITIES H R 141 S 521 THE SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT HOUSE COSPONSORS This bill would repeal both the Windfall Elimination Provision 186 59 and the Government Pension SENATE COSPONSORS Offset in current Social Security law 33 245 38 5 H R 1195 S 473 THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS EQUITY ACT HOUSE COSPONSORS This bill would would expand the definition of law enforcement 44 14 officer for salary and retirement benefits to include all Federal SENATE COSPONSORS law enforcement officers 58 6 1 5 H R 1154 S 1394 THE PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYER EMPLOYEE COOPERATION ACT HOUSE COSPONSORS This bill would recognize the right of law enforcement and 206 21 2 New other public safety officers to SENATE COSPONSORS bargain collectively with their employers 17 227 19 FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP 2 GLFOP FOPnational

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UPDATE FOP PRIORITIES H R 1156 THE LEOSA REFORM ACT This bill would would amend the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act LEOSA which exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from local and State prohibitions on the carriage of concealed firearms to ensure that these officers are able to carry in the same venues as civilian concealed carry permit holders in areas like schools and national parks as well as use public transportation and extends the exemption to magazine capacity and would allow active and retired law enforcement officers to access services at U S post offices Social Security Administration offices or Veterans Affairs facilities HOUSE COSPONSORS 1 New 35 36 0 H R 1325 THE PROTECT AND SERVE ACT This bill would would make it a Federal crime to target a law enforcement officer with an assault that results in seriously bodily harm or death HOUSE COSPONSORS 36 FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE 29 GLFOP GLFOP 7 FOPnational

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PRESIDENT YOES LETTER TO AG BARR Requests AG Barr and DOJ Assist With NJ FOP s LEOSA Case FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT YOES 39th Annual Peace Officers Memorial Service FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT YOES Senate Unanimously Passes Resolution to Honor Fallen Officers FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT YOES Senate Passes Vital Legislation During National Police Week FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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ANNOUNCEMENT NEW FOP PARTNERSHIP FOP AT T Partnership to Educate Members on FirstNet FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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39TH PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL SERVICE Were you not able to watch the 39th Annual Peace Officers Memorial Service live To Watch This Year s Memorial Service CLICK HERE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY ELAINE CHAO Secretary of Transportation Elaine L Chao offered a special video message in honor of our fallen officers FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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TWEET OF THE WEEK National FOP GLFOP We are sad to report that 106 heroes have died in the line of duty due to COVID19 Please keep their families friends and all of America s law enforcement officers in your thoughts and prayers FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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Help Us Repeal the WEP and GPO We need your help to increase the number of cosponsors in order to repeal the Windfall Elimination WEP and the Government Pension Offset GPO Urge your Representative and Senators to support H R 141 S 521 the Social Security Fairness Act CLICK HERE To Contact Your Representative and Senators FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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The Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center CRI TAC provides no cost customized technical assistance solutions designed to meet the unique needs of state local tribal campus law enforcement agencies throughout the U S VISIT WEBSITE The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing professionals develop and test innovative policing strategies and provide training and technical assistance to community members local government leaders and all levels of law enforcement VISIT WEBSITE The Office of Justice Programs OJP provides innovative leadership to federal state local and tribal justice systems by disseminating state of the art knowledge and practices across America and providing grants for the implementation of these crime fighting strategies VISIT WEBSITE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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National FOP Political Action Committee The Fraternal Order of Police is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education legislation information community involvement and employee representation The NFOP PAC is the power behind our organization s punch on Capitol Hill representing its members in the most effective way possible P C Can You Chip In 5 Our challenge to you is to have each and every FOP member in your department lodge and state commit 5 00 a month to the NFOP PAC Please contact the Legislative Office to learn about the various ways you can contribute to the NFOP PAC Call 202 547 8189 Email mmason fop net FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational

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The Steve Young Law Enforcement Legislative Advocacy Center 328 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NE WASHINGTON D C 20002 PHONE 202 547 8189 FAX 202 547 8190 JIM PASCO TIM RICHARDSON Executive Director jpasco fop net Senior Legislative Liaison MARK MCDONALD MICHELLE MASON Legislative Liaison mmcdonald fop net Administrative Assistant mmason fop net FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE trichardson fop net GLFOP GLFOP FOPnational