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The Newsletter of the National Ass ociation of Police Organizations

Representing America’s Finest

November 1, 2011

SMALLER JOBS PACKAGE OFFERS $35 BILLION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, TEACHERS AND NURSES

President Obama’s Americans Jobs Bill failed to garner enough votes necessary to pass. However, this does not mean the legislation is doomed. Democratic leadership in the Senate has offered the first of several expected smaller bills of the American Jobs Bill. The Teacher and First Responder Stabilization Act, (S. 1723) is sponsored by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ). This bill will provide $35 billion for First Responders, Teachers and Nurses.

Specifically, S. 1723 would keep the $4 billion COPS Hiring provision originally proposed by the Administration in the original American Jobs Bill. Additional funding is needed now more than ever before. According to the COPS Office, by the end of 2011 it is expected that nearly 12,000 police officers and sheriff’s deputies will have been laid off and approximately 30,000 law enforcement jobs will be unfilled.

NAPO actively voiced its support for these vital funds. NAPO’s involvement with the $4 billion in funding for the COPS Hiring provision in the American Jobs Bill was initiated when we sent out call information with the Vice President on September 12th.

NAPO was the only rank-and-file group in attendance when Vice President Biden visited Alexandria to highlight how the American Jobs Act would benefit first responders. NAPO President Tom Nee joined the Vice President aboard Air Force Two in Flint, Michigan again to highlight the need for the $4 billion in funds for COPS Hiring. NAPO was invited to Capitol Hill to join Vice President Biden, , Senator (D-IL) Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and several other Senators to bring attention to the importance of the passage of S.1723. Finally, NAPO has also sent a formal letter notifying Congress of our strong support of the bill.

Majority Leader Reid filed cloture on The Teacher and First Responder Stabilization Act on October 19, 2011. The vote will need support in both chambers before the President can sign the bill into law. Please contact your Representatives and let them know that you support The Teacher and First Responder Stabilization Act. If you require assistance please contact NAPO’s Director of Government Affairs, Rachel Hedge: 703-549-0775.

NAPO SERVES AS A MEMBER ON THE OFFICER SAFETY AND WELLNESS GROUP

In July of 2011, NAPO participated in the planning session of the Officer Safety and Wellness Group. The inaugural meeting was held on September 22, 2011. NAPO serves as the active voice for its membership, working on its behalf on issues of health and safety.

The effects of an unstable economy have resulted in budget decreases in all geographic areas; forcing states and municipalities to make difficult decisions impacting the operations of many law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement has experienced a steady reduction in the employment and retention of officers. This has had a dramatic impact on officer safety, wellness and health.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 149 officers have been killed in the line of duty from January 1, 2011 to October 19, 2011. There are a variety of other contributing factors that can impact an officer’s career. These include but are not limited to; poor health, stress, nutrition and other physical and mental issues. With that in mind, NAPO is working together with the Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) Office, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Department of Justice agencies, and other law enforcement stakeholders to improve officer safety and wellness in the by a series of quarterly meetings.

The has prioritized “Operation and Emergency Response” as the point of focus for three priorities. They are as follows; injuries and death due to gunfire, premeditated and unprovoked ambush situations and rifle/long-gun threats.

The other topics identified were; education and training for officers, leadership and safety practices, emergency vehicle operation and safety, physical health training (fatigue, alcohol, weight and nutrition) and psychological health. Suggested topics that were not included in the initial discussion ranged from post-incident procedures to self-aid and buddy-aid training.

NAPO is committed to ensure that safety and wellness needs are met. NAPO has been at the forefront of this issue and continues to distinguish itself as a leader on the topic of Officer Safety and Wellness for rank-and-file. In order to accurately identify your needs, NAPO is asking members to contribute best practices for officer’s safety or any other related concerns. Please direct this information to NAPO’s Director of Government Affairs, Rachel Hedge: [email protected] by December 31, 2011.

The next Officer Safety and Wellness working group is scheduled for the latter half of January 2012.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT NAPO OPPOSITION TO THE WEBB CRIME COMMISSION

Congress has until November 18th to find a way to fund the federal government. The Senate has taken action on this deadline by bundling a small set of funding bills together in one package, known as a minibus. The 3 bills rolled together in the first minibus of FY12 are: Agriculture, Commerce- Justice and Science (CJS) and Transportation-HUD. During this process Senators have the opportunity to offer amendments to the bill.

Senator (D-VA) offered up his amendment, The National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2011, as Senate Amendment 750 (S.A. 750). NAPO is strongly opposed to this amendment.

Initially, in the 111th Congress, NAPO supported the original version of Senator Webb’s Crime Commission Bill (S. 714). However, over time the bill morphed into a different piece of legislation which NAPO could no longer support.

Our primary opposition to the amendment is based on the clauses affecting the selection of members for the Commission. Specifically, the selection of the members to serve on this panel do not represent a balance of political parties, also, rank-and-file should be specifically identified to be appointed to the commission. Finally, additional details regarding membership should be specifically outlined.

A secondary concern with the legislation is the restrictive timeframe in which the commission must complete its findings. The 18-month timeframe is not sufficient and is largely based on President Lyndon Johnson’s 1965 Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice. For comparison purposes, it took the Prison Rape Commission five years on that one issue and over four years for a Forensic Commission.

The amendment authorizes $5 million in new spending over two fiscal years and must be offset. The recommended offset is through the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Program’s Administrative Account. Rather than fund this proposed study, the money could be used to put officers directly in our communities though funding for the COPS Hiring program.

NAPO, along with the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) served as leaders in working against S.A. 750. NAPO was the only law enforcement group not to follow suit of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in supporting this flawed legislation. On October 20, 2011, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) spoke on the Senator floor referencing the opposition of both NAPO and NDAA. Senator Hutchison also submitted NAPO’s remarks for the Congressional Record. The efforts of NAPO’s members made the noticeable difference and S.A. 750 failed to garner the 60 votes necessary to pass with the final vote count: 57 to 43.

NAPO agrees with the Crime Commission’s underlying intent to examine our criminal justice system. However, rank-and-file officers are the most visible form of government in America. It is essential they be represented by a secured seat on the commission. It is in the best interest of all parties involved to ensure officers have the support they need to succeed. NAPO will continue to provide updates of our work to advance the interests of America’s law enforcement through advocacy.

NAPO ATTENDS FIRST EVER SENATE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAUCUS

The first ever bipartisan law enforcement caucus in the Senate was held on October 12, 2011. Founding Senators (R-MO) and (D-DE) delivered opening remarks. To date the caucus has eighteen founding members including Senators; Kent Conrad (D-ND), Jeff Session (R-AL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ben Nelson (D-NE), (R-AK), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), (R-SC), (R-NC), (D-MN), (R-MS), Mark Kirk (R-IL), (R-AK), (R-ND), (D-CN) and Dean Heller (R-NV).

The goals of the caucus are;  To raise awareness and support for beneficial law enforcement and criminal justice initiatives in the Senate.  Reinforce the federal commitment to assisting state and local law enforcement agencies in the performance of their duties.  Strengthen working partnerships between national, state and local law enforcement agencies,  Facilitate an exchange and debate of information, ideas and concerns within law enforcement.  Promote an inclusive and collaborative approach to combating crime and promoting community safety.  Advocate policies and measures that emphasize and enhance officer safety and highlight and promote professional careers in law enforcement.

NAPO has established a good working relationship with the caucus founders. We will be in regular briefings with the caucus.

NAPO WEIGHS IN ON COPS HIRING TO JOINT DEFICIT REDUCTION COMMITTEE

The Joint Selection Committee on Deficit Reduction has been tasked with the goal of budgetary savings equal to at least $1.2 trillion over the next decade. The Committee is comprised of twelve members from both chambers and parties. The Deficit Reduction group is Co-Chaired by Senator (D-WA) and Representative Jeb Hensarling (R-TX).

On October 14, 2011, NAPO wrote the Co-Chairs expressing our concerns regarding the debt reduction debate and our strong support for the COPS Hiring Program. NAPO is sensitive to the current efforts to reduce the nation’s budget deficit. However, we feel this should not be at the expense of law enforcement. A copy of the letter can be found on NAPO’s website: www.napo.org.

Save the Dates! Please Make Note of NAPO’s 2012 Events

24th Annual Police, Fire, EMS & Municipal Employee Pension & Benefits Seminar Sunday, January 15 – Tuesday, January 17, 2012 Caesar’s Palace -- Las Vegas, Nevada

Annual Legal Rights and Legislative Seminar Friday, May 11, 2012 The Mayflower Hotel -- Washington, District of Columbia

19th Annual TOP COPS Awards Dinner Saturday, May 12, 2012 The Mayflower Hotel -- Washington, District of Columbia

NAPO’s 34th Annual Convention Saturday, July 21 – Wednesday, July 25, 2012 Palm Beach County Florida

Please visit www.napo.org for detailed event information and exhibiting/sponsorship opportunities. Contact us at (800) 322-6276 or via e-mail: [email protected] with any questions.