“The ‘Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act,’ is a top legislative priority for the FOP,” explains Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, applauded the introduction of H.R. 962, introduced by Representatives William J. Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA) and Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
“Due to their high level of training and the dangerous nature of the profession, Congress rightfully determined that Federal law enforcement officers should receive enhanced salary and retirement benefits compared to other Federal employees.”
“These enhanced benefits are referred to as 6(c) benefits, but, because of regulatory inconsistencies, nearly 30,000 Federal law enforcement officers do not receive these benefits.”
This legislation would provide all Federal law enforcement officers with 6(c) retirement benefits and the ability to retire after 20 years of service after the age of 50 or after 25 years of service at any age.
If enacted, thousands of officers serving in agencies within the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, as well as those employed by the FBI Police, U.S. Postal Service; Federal Protective Service, who were honored in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, the National Institute of Health; U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will receive the same enhanced benefits as their Federal law enforcement counterparts.
“All Federal law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day, no matter which Federal agency they work for,” added Yoes.
“This bill will ensure that all Federal law enforcement officers receive the same benefits when they retire.”
“The FOP is grateful to Representatives Pascrell, Garbarino, Connolly and Fitzpatrick for introducing this legislation which would expand the definition of ‘law enforcement officer’ for retirement benefits to include all Federal law enforcement officers.”
The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with more than 356,000 members.
Additionally, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement in response to the introduction of the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act (HR 962):
“Existing law does not treat all federal law enforcement personnel equally when it comes to determining their pay rates and retirement benefits.”
“Specifically, officers with the Federal Protective Service and police officers at the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments and the U.S. Mint have lower rates of pay than other federal law enforcement professionals and are not eligible for full law enforcement retirement benefits until years after their peers.”
“These inequities lead to high turnover and lower employee morale at agencies that are unable to offer comparable pay and benefits.”
“On behalf of the 700,000 federal and D.C. government employees AFGE represents, including tens of thousands of law enforcement professionals, I sincerely thank Representatives Bill Pascrell Jr., Gerry Connolly, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Andrew Garbarino for reintroducing the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act.”
“This bipartisan bill would expand the definition of law enforcement officer under Title 5 of the U.S. Code to include all federal employees who are authorized to carry a firearm and whose duties involve the investigation or apprehension of suspected or convicted individuals.”
“This important legislation would close a loophole in existing law has resulted in second-class status for many federal law enforcement officers, ensuring they are treated equally when it comes to setting their pay rates and qualifying for full retirement benefits.”
“AFGE look forward to working with Congress to ensure its passage.”
Federal Protective Service Honored in 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
American Security Today’s ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards program is in its Fifth Year and continues to recognize the Outstanding Innovations of top firms and agencies in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields.
2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the much heralded AST ‘ASTORS’ Awards Winners Presentations and exclusive Luncheon at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC has been canceled and rescheduled for 2021 due to the virus.
However, the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program was again a huge success and many new categories were added including a section for COVID-19 Detection and Innovation.
Federal Protective Service in Collaboration with the Argonne National Laboratory
Best Risk, Crisis Management Solution
-
-
Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST) – COVID-19 Telematics Capabilities
-
-
DHS’s Federal Protective Service (FPS) provides integrated security and law enforcement services–including conducting security assessments and detecting and mitigating threats–to over 9,500 federal facilities. To accomplish this mission, FPS leverages the Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST), a joint solution developed in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory.
-
Argonne and FPS have continuously sought ways to improve the tool’s ability to assess, detect, and mitigating threats, and this year, no threat was more pervasive in this country than COVID-19.
-
To confront the threat that COVID-19 posed to the FPS workforce, MIST was enhanced to allow FPS Headquarters and FPS Management to track and display each federal building affected by COVID-19, and to analyze local hospitals and EMS facilities in relation to federal buildings and office locations.
-
Additionally, the map capability within MIST was expanded to allow for many additional layers, allowed FPS a granular understanding of the number of facilities impacted by the virus, and much more.
-
Ultimately, the new COVID-19 telematics capabilities offered FPS decision makers the ability to make better informed decisions on moving personnel and security equipment to best protect people and property, while ensuring safety of their staff.
-
The Federal Protective Service and Argonne National Laboratory have also been recognized in the 2019, and 20188 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Programs respectively.
-
To Learn More, please visit the DHS Federal Protective Service at https://www.dhs.gov/topic/federal-protective-service.
The 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Desktop Alert, X.Labs and Reed Exhibitions, every one a returning Sponsor from 2019.
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more about the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Check Out the New 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2020 ‘A Year in Review’.
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.
It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2020 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
-
For a complete list of 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, click here.
For more information about the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards or All Things American Security Today, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
