The Washington Report

The Newsletter of the National Association of Police Organizations

Representing Americas Finest December 1, 2011 NAPO LOBBIES HELICOPTER NOISE RELIEF In October, NAPO contacted Congressman Howard Berman (D-CA) concerning a provision in his bill, The Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011, (H.R. 2677). This legislation contains regulations that aim to reduce helicopter noise in residential areas. However, section two, sub-paragraph B of H.R. 2677 states the Administrator may exempt helicopter operations related to emergency, law enforcement, or military activities from requirements . . . we believe the language needs to be changed so as not to have an adverse effect on law enforcement. NAPO proposes that the language of the legislation be changed from may exempt to shall exempt. NAPO agrees with the intent of Congressman Bermans underlying bill; it is important for helicopter operators to fly safely while minimizing noise impact on the surrounding communities. Equally important is the ability of first responders to preserve public safety. NAPO was successful in its lobbying efforts, working with Congressman Berman and his staff, to strengthen the exemption language without undermining the underlying objective of the bill. Similar legislation has been introduced as an amendment in the Senate by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), this time affecting New York State. NAPO is working to add this change to the language of his amendment. NAPO appreciates efforts to address the helicopter noise problem throughout our communities but at the same time we will work to ensure Capitol Hill is cognizant of the legitimate needs of local law enforcement. MINIBUS SPENDING PACKAGE SENT TO PRESIDENT OBAMA On November 17, 2011, both the House (298-121) and the Senate (70-30) cleared the first spending package for FY12, H.R. 2112. This was done in advance of the November 18 th selfimposed deadline and also extends the current budget resolution through December 16th. Included in the minibus are three appropriations bills; Agriculture, Commerce-Justice and Science (CJS) and Transportation-HUD. Prior to the final vote on the package the two chambers met in conference negotiations over the amount. During the Summer the House Appropriations Committee passed their version of the FY12 CJS spending bill without funding for the COPS Program. The Senate allocated $200 million for the COPS Hiring Program in September. The conference reported out $166 million in COPS Hiring funds. It is important to note that there Copyright NAPO 2011. All rights reserved.

is a 25% match requested from the departments and a cap of $125,000 for salaries. The Byrne JAG program received $470 million but after carve-outs the new amount is $325 million. $25 million was directed to the Bulletproof Vest Program and $2 million was awarded to VALOR; Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability. NAPO continues our efforts to educate members on the importance of these programs and to lobby for increased funding. We will maintain our efforts to secure FY12 funds to benefit law enforcement through the Department of Homeland Security grants. EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT NAPOS LABOR RIGHTS SEMINAR AND OHIO VICTORY On October 24th and 25th NAPO hosted our National Labor Rights Seminar in Orlando, Florida. There were almost 100 members in attendance. The agenda included breakout working groups resulting in best practice solutions and communications plans on implementation of action items. NAPO would like to extend a special thanks to the following NAPO presenters; Rob Nixon with the New Jersey State PBA, Terry Gallagher the current Executive Director of the Ohio PBA and Jeff Pedicino the incoming Executive Director of the Ohio PBA. The results of the Labor Rights Seminar tied in with the November victory for public employees in the State of Ohio. Republican Governor John Kasich supported the removal of collective bargaining rights that would affect 350,000 public workers. Over the past few months labor groups, led by the Ohio PBA joined in an effort with teachers and other first responders known as We Are Ohio in opposition to the Governors position. The group canvassed the streets and worked phone banks to acquire the required number of signatures to put the issue up for a vote on the November ballot. Governor Kasichs initiative, known as Issue 2, was rejected by the voters; defeating a proposal that would have had a detrimental effect on public safety. The Ohio PBA took the lead to ensure that the ballot language was not convoluted, helping to give the voters a clear signal that a NO vote was appropriate. NAPO President, Tom Nee flew to Ohio to support NAPOs membership. Terry Gallagher spoke on behalf of the collective bargaining efforts to the media during the election watch event held at the Cleveland Airport. On Tuesday, November 15th members of the Ohio Executive Board attended a victory rally in Euclid, Ohio. Vice President Biden attended the Euclid event to show the support of the Administration. The Ohio victory should serve as a beacon to public workers across the country. It demonstrates the political power achieved by the unification of police, firefighters, teachers and citizens to form a united front on collective bargaining attacks. Ohio continues to face an uphill battle with three additional bills still on the table affecting pensions. Now, more than ever, critical events such as NAPOs Labor Rights Seminar can provide useful information and facilitate critical information sharing and communication initiatives critical to the preservation of collective bargaining.

Copyright NAPO 2011. All rights reserved.

IRS NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE NAPO has been successful at postponing the enactment date for the IRS Normal Retirement Age from January 1, 2009, to 2011 and then to its current date; January 1, 2013. The IRSissued regulations began in 2007 and would make public pension plans define normal retirement age for public safety officers in regards to in-service distributions as age 50 and not based on years of service. It is important to note that a public safety officer can still retire after 20 or 25 years of service, even if he has not reached the age of 50, and receive a full, unreduced pension as long as he serves all employment with the employer who maintains the plan. This would no longer be considered normal retirement age, but rather early unreduced retirement. The IRS normal retirement age is not retroactive. If an officer is already retired or is planning to retire prior to January 1, 2013, the new IRS rule should not affect him or her. If you would like additional information on the enactment of the IRS Normal Retirement Age please do not hesitate to contact NAPOs Director of Government Affairs, Rachel Hedge at 703-549-0775. NAPO WELCOMES 10,395 NEW MEMBERS IN 2011 In the month of January we welcomed the Conroe Police and Firefighters' Retirement Fund on board as new members of NAPO with 98 officers. In July, we were able to welcome as new members the Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs with 4,800 members. Also in July, NAPO welcomed the Royal Bahamas Police Staff Association on board with 2,200 members. The New York State Troopers PBA joined us in November with a force of 3,297. NAPO PARTNERS WITH FORD FOR THE POLICE APPRECIATION PROGRAM The Police Appreciation Program for $500 cash back on a Ford or Lincoln has been extended through January 7, 2013. Be sure to advertise this great program to your members. You wont want them to miss out! All NAPO members who are active or retired officers and residents of the continental United States are eligible. New in 2012: The offer may be used up to five times per program year and may be applied to members of the same household (residing at the same address). Please visit www.fordspecialoffer.com/police/napo for more information. A new flyer is in the works. If you are interested in receiving flyers to distribute to your membership, please contact Nina Kunkel at the NAPO Office at (703) 549-0775 or nkunkel@napo.org. NAPO relies on your assistance to administer the program. Please help by not only informing your members, but also provide them with your organizations username and password so they can immediately act on this great deal. The NAPO office can provide you with these access codes, which are unique for each organization, in case you do not already have them.

Copyright NAPO 2011. All rights reserved.

Save the Dates!

Please Make Note of NAPOs 2012 Events 24th Annual Police, Fire, EMS & Municipal Employee Pension & Benefits Seminar
Sunday, January 15 Tuesday, January 17, 2012 Caesars 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

Saturday, May 12, 2012 The Mayflower Hotel -- Washington, District of Columbia

NAPOs 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: info@napo.org with any questions.

Copyright NAPO 2011. All rights reserved.