It is with great sadness and sense of loss that Rick Bannon has informed us of the passing of former Coral Gables PD Sergeant Irby Ralph Wheeler. Ralph died peacefully in his sleep at 5:00 a.m. November 12, in the morning. As soon as Rick is informed, we will let you know of the funeral arrangements.
May he rest in peace.
11/13/17
May he rest in peace.
11/13/17
There will be a Mass in Memory of Paul M. Goyette who passed away October 15, 2017.
November 11 at 8:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
St. Raymond Catholic Church
3475 SW 17 Street
Miami, FL 33145
After the Memorial Mass, there will be a "Celebration of his Life" -
November 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lotus Garden Restaurant
318 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, FL
November 11 at 8:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
St. Raymond Catholic Church
3475 SW 17 Street
Miami, FL 33145
After the Memorial Mass, there will be a "Celebration of his Life" -
November 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lotus Garden Restaurant
318 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, FL
COLA - STATUS
Below please find the Notice of Pending Class Action.
| cola_notice.pdf |
Washington Watch: Legislative Update
For the Week of 14 March 2016
I. Legislative News and Activity
II. This Week in Congress
III. Update on Top Legislative Priorities
IV. CONGRESS ANSWERS FOP'S CALL: HATE CRIMES BILL INTRODUCED
V. Obituary for Robert M. McGlotten
IV. NFOP CONDEMNS MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER
V. Follow the FOP National Legislative Office on Twitter!
I. LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY
Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Roy L. Austin, Jr., Deputy Assistant to the President, Director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs and Caroline Bettinger-Lopez, Office of the Vice President, Advisor on Violence Against Women, in response to sexual assault and domestic violence guidance.
Executive Director Pasco spoke with Paul M. Rosen, Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to discuss threat assessments.
Executive Director Pasco spoke with Uma Amuluru, Counsel to U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, to discuss the killing of Prince George's County Officer Jacai Colson.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson represented the FOP at the quarterly meeting of the Officer Safety and Wellness Working Group, which is hosted by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson and Legislative Liaison Mike Martin represented the FOP at the quarterly briefing held by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson participated in a stakeholders conference call with majority staff on the Committee of Homeland Security as well as staff from the offices of Representative David G. Reichert (R-WA) and Senator Mark Warner to discuss H.R. 699, the "Email Privacy Act."
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson met with the minority staff on the Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss H.R. 228/S. 125, the "Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Reauthorization Act," and other FOP priorities.
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson and Legislative Liaison Marisa Beam met with staff in the office of R. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) to discuss H.R. 699.
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson and Legislative Liaison Martin met with staff in the office of Raul R. Labrador to discuss H.R. 228/S. 125 and other FOP priorities.
Legislative Liaison Beam represented the FOP at a law enforcement stakeholders meeting with the majority staff on the House Committee on the Judiciary to discuss H.R. 699.
Legislative Liaison Beam met with staff in the offices of Representatives Steven I. Cohen (D-TN), John L. Ratcliffe (R-TX), F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI) and Lamar S. Smith (R-TX) to discuss H.R. 699.
II. THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS
The House and Senate were in session this week.
Action in the House
The House considered and approved a resolution authorizing the Speaker of the House to file an amicus curiae brief in the case of Texas v. United States.
Action in House Committees
The Committee considered and favorably reported H.R. 4731, the "Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act," on an 18-9 vote. The bill next be considered on the House floor.
Action in the Senate
The Senate considered and approved a resolution authorizing the Senate to take legal action against Backpage.com, a website associated with sex trafficking.
III. UPDATE ON TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
For the complete list of cosponsors for all of our top legislative priorities, or to find out if your Representative and Senators are cosponsors of specific bills, check out http://thomas.loc.gov.
A. Support H.R. 973/S. 1651, the "Social Security Fairness Act"
We have 134 cosponsors on H.R. 973.
We have 22 cosponsors on S. 1651.
B. Support H.R. 2254, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Equity Act"
We added 1 cosponsor to H.R. 2254, bringing our current total to 16.
IV. CONGRESS ANSWERS FOP'S CALL: HATE CRIMES BILL INTRODUCED
Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, welcomed news that Representative Kenneth R. Buck (R-CO) introduced legislation that would expand the existing Federal hate crimes law to include protections for law enforcement officers.
“Talking heads on television and inflammatory rhetoric on social media are inciting acts of hatred and violence toward our nation’s peace officers,” Canterbury said. “Our members are increasingly under fire by individuals motivated by nothing more than a desire to kill or injure a cop. Enough is enough!”
Canterbury recounted numerous incidents in the past several days in which law enforcement officers were deliberately targeted for death or injury:
- Last June, a gunman armed with assault weapons and explosives used an armored car to get close to the headquarters of the Dallas Police Department and opened fire in an effort to kill law enforcement officers.
- Officer Thomas W. Cottrell, Jr. of the Danville Police Department in Ohio was shot and killed in an ambush attack by a man who told his ex-girlfriend that he intended to kill a law enforcement officer.
- Officer Douglas S. Barney of the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake in Utah was responding to the scene of a car crash when one of the drivers, a man with an extensive criminal background and active Federal and State warrants, shot and killed him. The shooter wounded another officer before being killed by responding officers.
- Officer Jason Moszer of the Fargo Police Department in North Dakota responded to a domestic violence disturbance call. A man, armed with multiple long guns, called dispatchers after barricading himself inside of his home and told them he was going to shoot at officers. He shot and killed Officer Moszer from his barricade.
“It is not just talk; it is not just rhetoric,” Canterbury stated. “Those spewing this hatred and those calling for violence are having an impact. They have been given a platform by the media to convey the message that police officers are their enemy and it is time to attack that enemy. Social media accounts are full of hatred and calls to target and kill police officers. The vitriol, the hateful screeds and statements of those we are sworn to protect and defend, as well as public calls to kill and injure police officers, are horrifying. There is a very real and very deliberate campaign to terrorize our nation’s law enforcement officers.”
In October of last year the Department of Justice released their “Ambushes of Police” report that detailed the amount of ambush attacks on law enforcement officers from 1990-2013. In 2013, there were between 200-300 ambush attacks reported on law enforcement officers. The Executive Summary of the report states: “…the proportion of fatal attacks on officers attributable to ambushes increasing. Concerns about targeted violence against police are on the rise, while officers must not only be guardians of the public but also be prepared to respond to violence targeting them.”
“The FOP intends to continue work closely with Representative Buck to ensure this bill receives full consideration and ultimately passes on the House floor,” Canterbury said.
V. Obituary for Robert M. McGlotten
On March 12, 2016, one of the great champions of the American working man and woman passed away. Bob McGlotten, retired Legislative Director of the AFL-CIO, member of the Board of the Congressional Black Caucus, successful private sector labor advocate, veteran, and friend and mentor to countless denizens of the political world, is gone.
Bob was a big bear of a man who didn't use his size or his manner to intimidate; in fact, he almost never raised his voice. But when he did speak, the room paused to listen, out of universal respect for his thinking and opinions. His temperament was complimented by a great sense of humor - one which has stood him in good stead in view of current political events.
He was preceded in death by, among others, his beloved brother Wayne, a Philadelphia Police Lieutenant and member of FOP Philadelphia Lodge 5.
Bob wasn't a cop, and we're not affiliated with the AFL-CIO, nor do we always agree with the Black Caucus. That being said, I guarantee all of you that we all have lost a friend in Washington who we may never replace.
VI. NFOP CONDEMNS MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER
Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, expressed sadness, anger and frustration over yesterday’s murder of Officer Jacai Colson of the Prince George’s County, MD Police Department. “Another cold blooded murder of a hero – another affront to law and justice and humanity right here in the United States- but there’s no public outrage, no cry for justice, just the obligatory platitudes and back to business. I have been calling for years and-particularly in the last 18 months- for Congress to add hate crimes against police officers to existing Federal legislation- as yet to absolutely no avail. It’s really easy to find an elected official who is ready to criticize the police, but those same officials get awfully hard to find when it comes to backing cops up.” Canterbury released the following statement this morning:
Another police officer was murdered last night- another victim of a growing epidemic of unprovoked and undeserved attacks on those who have sworn to protect and defend. Officer Jacai Colson, 28, joins the long and growing list of men and women who died for you while you worked, or slept, or ate dinner. He and his brothers and sisters in blue leave behind wives and husbands and children and friends like yours. They worried about car payments and college loans and mortgages like many millions of us do. They were just ordinary friends and neighbors – till they went to work.
That’s when everything changes – when they put on their uniforms and pinned on their badges, when they strapped on their weapons and headed out to the “office”. They were murdered in their workplace, whether it was their squad car, or in the street, or outside the station. Pundits wring their hands about workplace violence- well, how about this for workplace violence:
The last two and a half months of 2015 saw 46 officers shot in the line of duty. 16 of those officers that were shot in that period lost their lives. During that time we saw 10 officers shot in a 7 day period. Where was the outrage then by the media and our politicians? Since January 1, 2016 we have seen even more officers shot in the line of duty. 55 officers in 2016 shot while doing their job. 13 of those officers have been killed. In one week 11 officers were shot and 9 killed.
In October of last year the Department of Justice released their “Ambushes of Police” report that detailed the amount of ambush attacks on law enforcement officers from 1990-2013. In 2013, the final year of the report, there were between 200-300 ambush attacks reported on law enforcement officers. In the Executive Summary of the report they state, “…the proportion of fatal attacks on officers attributable to ambushes increasing. Concerns about targeted violence against police are on the rise, while officers must not only be guardians of the public but also be prepared to respond to violence targeting them.” Where was the media responding to this report or our politicians calling for more protections for our law enforcement officers by expanding the Federal hate crimes statute to include attacks on police officers?
The men and women of law enforcement around this country will continue to stand up and protect the people of our great country no matter what. They will continue to do this even though attacks on law enforcement officers are up, and while members of the media and our elected officials continue to stay silent and ignore the facts.
V. Follow the FOP National Legislative Office on Twitter!
Sign up today for the latest news from Capitol Hill: https://twitter.com/FOPLegislative
Obituary of former CGPD Detective, Joel W. Tierce, Jr.
Joel W. Tierce, Jr., 72, of Eustis, passed away Monday, March 14, 2016. Born in Miami, Florida, he first moved to Eustis in 1977. He was a Detective and was a member of the Fraternal Order Of Police. Joel is survived by his wife of 46 years, Karen S. Tierce, Eustis, FL; 2 daughters, Wendy (Ed) Shoman, Fort Myers, FL, Connie Tierce, Eustis, FL; sister, Sandra T. Green, Umatilla, FL; honorary sister, Connie Lepera, Middletown, OH; 3 grandchildren, Thomas Simonds, Pamela Simonds, Connor Tierce; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joel & Mattie Tierce and his son, Warren Tierce. The family appreciates the loving care that Joel received from Dr. Shahbaz Cheema. Services will be private for the family only. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.comArrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.
Joel W. Tierce, Jr., 72, of Eustis, passed away Monday, March 14, 2016. Born in Miami, Florida, he first moved to Eustis in 1977. He was a Detective and was a member of the Fraternal Order Of Police. Joel is survived by his wife of 46 years, Karen S. Tierce, Eustis, FL; 2 daughters, Wendy (Ed) Shoman, Fort Myers, FL, Connie Tierce, Eustis, FL; sister, Sandra T. Green, Umatilla, FL; honorary sister, Connie Lepera, Middletown, OH; 3 grandchildren, Thomas Simonds, Pamela Simonds, Connor Tierce; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joel & Mattie Tierce and his son, Warren Tierce. The family appreciates the loving care that Joel received from Dr. Shahbaz Cheema. Services will be private for the family only. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.comArrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.
Congratulations Frank and Jim for joining the ranks of the retired.
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Washington Watch: Legislative Update
For the Week of 11 January 2016
I. Legislative News and Activity
II. This Week in Congress
III. Update on Top Legislative Priorities
IV. DAY ON THE HILL 2016!!!
V. Follow the FOP National Legislative Office on Twitter!
I. LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY
Executive Director Jim Pasco attended the FOP's National Labor Coalition which was held last weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida. Executive Director Pasco introduced two of the speakers at this event, Vanita Gupta, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), who discussed the state of current investigations and Robert N. Driscoll, a former Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Chief of Staff for the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, who shared his perspective as an active legal practitioner in the civil rights area.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison Marisa Beam represented the FOP on a conference call with M. Kendall Day and Alice W. Dery, the Chief and Deputy Chief of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section of the DOJ to discuss asset forfeiture reform.
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson and Legislative Liaison Michael Martin met with senior staffers with the chairmen and ranking members of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations to discuss S. 125, the "Bulletproof Vest Partnership Reauthorization Program," the FOP's hate crimes proposal, asset forfeiture reform and other criminal justice reform measures.
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson and Legislative Liaison Martin met with staff in the office of Representatives J. Randy Forbes (R-VA) and David A. Trott to discuss S. 125/H.R. 228, the “Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act."
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson and Legislative Liaison Martin met with staff in the office of Representative Michael Quigley (D-IL) to discuss H.R. 4320, the "NICS Denial Notification Act," and S. 125/H.R. 228, the “Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act."
Legislative Liaison Martin spoke with staff in the office of Douglas A. Collins (R-GA) regarding S. 125/H.R. 228, the “Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act."
Legislative Liaison Martin met with staff in the offices of Representatives Scott H. Peters (D-CA) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) to discuss H.R. 3537, the “Synthetic Drug Control Act."
II. THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS
Both the House and the Senate were in session this week, though Congress cut its week short to allow for the Republican issues retreat in Baltimore.
Action in the House
The House considered and passed H.R. 757, the "North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act," on a 418-2 vote. The bill, which seeks to investigate and enforce sanctions on North Korea now goes to the Senate for further action.
Action in House Committees
The Committee on the Judiciary considered and favorably reported three bills by voice vote:
Action in the Senate
The Senate failed to invoke cloture on a motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 2232, the "Federal Reserve Transparency Act," on a 53-44 vote.
III. UPDATE ON TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
For the complete list of cosponsors for all of our top legislative priorities, or to find out if your Representative and Senators are cosponsors of specific bills, check out http://thomas.loc.gov.
A. Support H.R. 973/S. 1651, the "Security Fairness Act"
We added one cosponsor to H.R. 973, bringing our current total to 133 cosponsors.
We added two cosponsor to S. 1651 bringing our current total to 21 cosponsors.
B. Support H.R. 2254, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Equity Act"
We added one cosponsor to H.R. 2254, bringing our current total to 14 cosponsors.
IV. DAY ON THE HILL 2016!
Your participation in this year's Day on the Hill is of critical importance as the 114th Congress begins its final session and the Presidential campaigns heat up. We need to make our voices heard and work hard to ensure that our issues are considered in the year ahead and by all the candidates for President. Please attend if you can; we need your participation!!!
The FOP Day on The Hill 2016 will begin on Monday, 29 February 2016. The National Legislative Office and the National Legislative Committee will host a short briefing on our legislative agenda. The briefing will take place at 3pm on that Monday afternoon at D.C. Lodge #1 and last approximately one hour.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 1-2 March, will be devoted to your meetings with Members from your home States and districts. These appointments should be made in advance!!! Event participants should make every effort to have their Representative or Senator attend the meeting along with the appropriate staff person.
Accommodations for Day on the Hill Participants
The National Legislative Office has arranged for a block of rooms at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza at 1001 14th Street, NW. The hotel is located just a few blocks from the Metro, making it easy for you to move around the city.
The rate is $209 per night, and you must identify yourself as part of the Fraternal Order of Police to get this special rate. Make your reservations now by calling
the Central Reservations’ line (877-424-2449), and using the group code “GLF.”
The cut-off date for reservations is 1 February 2016, so don't delay--make that reservation today!!!
V. Follow the FOP National Legislative Office on Twitter!
Sign up today for the latest news from Capitol Hill: https://twitter.com/FOPLegislative
For the Week of 11 January 2016
I. Legislative News and Activity
II. This Week in Congress
III. Update on Top Legislative Priorities
IV. DAY ON THE HILL 2016!!!
V. Follow the FOP National Legislative Office on Twitter!
I. LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY
Executive Director Jim Pasco attended the FOP's National Labor Coalition which was held last weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida. Executive Director Pasco introduced two of the speakers at this event, Vanita Gupta, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), who discussed the state of current investigations and Robert N. Driscoll, a former Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Chief of Staff for the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, who shared his perspective as an active legal practitioner in the civil rights area.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison Marisa Beam represented the FOP on a conference call with M. Kendall Day and Alice W. Dery, the Chief and Deputy Chief of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section of the DOJ to discuss asset forfeiture reform.
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson and Legislative Liaison Michael Martin met with senior staffers with the chairmen and ranking members of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations to discuss S. 125, the "Bulletproof Vest Partnership Reauthorization Program," the FOP's hate crimes proposal, asset forfeiture reform and other criminal justice reform measures.
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson and Legislative Liaison Martin met with staff in the office of Representatives J. Randy Forbes (R-VA) and David A. Trott to discuss S. 125/H.R. 228, the “Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act."
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson and Legislative Liaison Martin met with staff in the office of Representative Michael Quigley (D-IL) to discuss H.R. 4320, the "NICS Denial Notification Act," and S. 125/H.R. 228, the “Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act."
Legislative Liaison Martin spoke with staff in the office of Douglas A. Collins (R-GA) regarding S. 125/H.R. 228, the “Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act."
Legislative Liaison Martin met with staff in the offices of Representatives Scott H. Peters (D-CA) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) to discuss H.R. 3537, the “Synthetic Drug Control Act."
II. THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS
Both the House and the Senate were in session this week, though Congress cut its week short to allow for the Republican issues retreat in Baltimore.
Action in the House
The House considered and passed H.R. 757, the "North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act," on a 418-2 vote. The bill, which seeks to investigate and enforce sanctions on North Korea now goes to the Senate for further action.
Action in House Committees
The Committee on the Judiciary considered and favorably reported three bills by voice vote:
- H.R. 1854, the “Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act (CJMHA)";
- H.R. 3406, the "Second Chance Reauthorization Act," and
- H.R. 4240, the "No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act."
Action in the Senate
The Senate failed to invoke cloture on a motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 2232, the "Federal Reserve Transparency Act," on a 53-44 vote.
III. UPDATE ON TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
For the complete list of cosponsors for all of our top legislative priorities, or to find out if your Representative and Senators are cosponsors of specific bills, check out http://thomas.loc.gov.
A. Support H.R. 973/S. 1651, the "Security Fairness Act"
We added one cosponsor to H.R. 973, bringing our current total to 133 cosponsors.
We added two cosponsor to S. 1651 bringing our current total to 21 cosponsors.
B. Support H.R. 2254, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Equity Act"
We added one cosponsor to H.R. 2254, bringing our current total to 14 cosponsors.
IV. DAY ON THE HILL 2016!
Your participation in this year's Day on the Hill is of critical importance as the 114th Congress begins its final session and the Presidential campaigns heat up. We need to make our voices heard and work hard to ensure that our issues are considered in the year ahead and by all the candidates for President. Please attend if you can; we need your participation!!!
The FOP Day on The Hill 2016 will begin on Monday, 29 February 2016. The National Legislative Office and the National Legislative Committee will host a short briefing on our legislative agenda. The briefing will take place at 3pm on that Monday afternoon at D.C. Lodge #1 and last approximately one hour.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 1-2 March, will be devoted to your meetings with Members from your home States and districts. These appointments should be made in advance!!! Event participants should make every effort to have their Representative or Senator attend the meeting along with the appropriate staff person.
Accommodations for Day on the Hill Participants
The National Legislative Office has arranged for a block of rooms at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza at 1001 14th Street, NW. The hotel is located just a few blocks from the Metro, making it easy for you to move around the city.
The rate is $209 per night, and you must identify yourself as part of the Fraternal Order of Police to get this special rate. Make your reservations now by calling
the Central Reservations’ line (877-424-2449), and using the group code “GLF.”
The cut-off date for reservations is 1 February 2016, so don't delay--make that reservation today!!!
V. Follow the FOP National Legislative Office on Twitter!
Sign up today for the latest news from Capitol Hill: https://twitter.com/FOPLegislative
Washington Watch: Legislative Update
For the Week of 30 November 2015
I. Legislative News and Activity
II. This Week in Congress
III. Update on Top Legislative Priorities
IV. DAY ON THE HILL 2016!!!
V. Letter on Congressional leadership on LE equipment programs
VI. Statement of National FOP President on H.R. 4002, the "Criminal Code Improvements Act"
VII. Statement of National FOP President on Sentencing Reform
VIII. FOP Priority in New DoD Bill Signed into Law
IX. Letter to National Football League (NFL) on the carriage of firearms at their venues
X. Follow the FOP National Legislative Office on Twitter!
I. LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY
National President Chuck Canterbury was in Washington, D.C. this week to attend board meetings of the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Fund and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
National President Canterbury also gave numerous television interviews on the FOP's position on the NFL's policy prohibiting active and retired law enforcement officers from carrying their firearms at NFL venues and the events in San Bernardino, CA.
Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with W. Neil Eggleston, White House Counsel, and Roy L. Austin, Jr., Deputy Assistant to the President, Director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs on sentencing reform and H.R. 4002, the "Criminal Code Improvement Act," which proposes changes to Federal statutes governing mens rea (See Item VI. below for more information
Executive Director Pasco spoke with Alejandro Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to discuss the immigration and refugee issues.
Executive Director Pasco spoke with Heather Childs, Chief of Staff to Deputy Attorney General Sally Quillen Yates and G. Scott Hulsey, Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, on sentencing reform issues and H.R. 4002.
Executive Director Pasco met with the editorial board of the Marshall Institute and spoke to reporters about civil rights, crime, criminal justice and policing issues.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaisons Marisa Beam and Michael Martin represented the FOP on a conference call with law enforcement stakeholders regarding asset forfeiture reform.
Legislative Liaisons Beam and Martin met with staff in the offices of Representatives Duncan D. Hunter (R-CA) and Steven D. Russell (R-OK) to discuss H.R. 2350, the "Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act."
Legislative Liaison Martin met with staff in the office of Representative Louis J. Barletta to discuss H.R. 2350, the "Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act."
II. THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS
The House and Senate were in session this week.
Action in the House
The House considered and passed the conference report on H.R. 22, the "Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act," on a 359-65 vote. The conference report will next be considered by the Senate.
The House considered and passed the conference report on S. 1177, the "Every Child Achieves Act," on a 359-64 vote. The conference report will next be considered by the Senate.
Action in House Committees
The Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on H.R.699, the "Email Privacy Act."
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing entitled: "Office of National Drug Control Policy: Reauthorization."
Action in the Senate
The Senate considered, amended and passed H.R. 3726, the "Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act," on a 52-47 vote. The bill uses the process of reconciliation to eliminate parts of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare). The Senate also considered the following amendments:
The Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing entitled: "Oversight of the Administration's Criminal Alien Removal Policies."
III. UPDATE ON TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
For the complete list of cosponsors for all of our top legislative priorities, or to find out if your Representative and Senators are cosponsors of specific bills, check out http://thomas.loc.gov.
A. Support H.R. 973/S. 1651, the "Security Fairness Act"
We added 5 cosponsors to H.R. 973 for a total of 128.
We have a total of 19 cosponsors on S. 1651.
B. Support H.R. 2254, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Equity Act"
We added 3 cosponsors on H.R. 2254 for a total of 13.
C. PASSED: Legislation to Grant Statutory Arrest Authority to Civilian DoD Law Enforcement
The President signed S. 1356, “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016," into law. See Item VIII. below.
IV. DAY ON THE HILL 2016!
Your participation in this year's Day on the Hill is of critical importance as the 114th Congress begins its final session and the Presidential campaigns heat up. We need to make our voices heard and work hard to ensure that our issues are considered in the year ahead and by all the candidates for President. Please attend if you can; we need your participation!!!
The FOP Day on The Hill 2016 will begin on Monday, 29 February 2016. The National Legislative Office and the National Legislative Committee will host a short briefing on our legislative agenda. The briefing will take place at 3pm on that Monday afternoon at D.C. Lodge #1 and last approximately one hour.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 1-2 March, will be devoted to your meetings with Members from your home States and districts. These appointments should be made in advance!!! Event participants should make every effort to have their Representative or Senator attend the meeting along with the appropriate staff person.
Accommodations for Day on the Hill Participants
The National Legislative Office will arranged for a block of rooms and makes this information available as soon as its available.
V. Letter on Congressional leadership on LE equipment programs
National President Chuck Canterbury sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to restore State and local law enforcement equipment programs as part of the omnibus appropriations package. You can read that letter here: http://www.fop.net/publications/archives/letters/1033-omnibus.pdf
VI. STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL FOP PRESIDENT ON H.R. 4002, THE "CRIMINAL CODE IMPROVEMENT ACT"
Rarely has a piece of legislation been given such an ill-suited name. This legislation addresses the issue of mens rea or the offender's "state of mind" with respect to determining criminal culpability. The bill as written would overturn long-standing court holdings on mens rea standards and applications and replace them with an arbitrary "reasonable person standard." This potentially creates an instant defense for any offender asserting that he was not aware his actions were criminal and force the government to prove otherwise. This standard may work in civil tort cases but is hugely problematic in criminal proceedings.
This would be absurd on its face if it were not for the fact that this legislation, H.R. 4002, was introduced on a Monday and favorably reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary only 48 hours later on a voice vote. It is difficult to imagine how the members of the Committee, many of whom have law enforcement and prosecutorial experience, could vote in favor of the measure. It is telling that there was no outreach or opportunity for the law enforcement community to weigh in on the proposed bill. It was introduced and then passed with unseemly speed.
The FOP is also very skeptical of this bill. Our laws need to be clear and fairly applied, not applied contingent on any one individual's state of mind. This potentially creates confusion and uncertainty and may enable defendants charged with serious and violent offenses--including terrorism and sexual offenses--to escape liability for their crimes. The FOP will not support reforms in which the conviction of a murderous terrorist would depend on establishing that he knew his victims would be U.S. nationals and the firearms used in the attack traveled in interstate commerce. This is absurd and potentially dangerous.
The legislation is not clear with respect to whether the new requirements would apply to all components of an offense or just particular circumstances. Many Federal crimes do not have default mens rea requirements and that many criminal prosecutions are very complex and may not break down into components where different mens rea requirements exist. This will create needless confusion in the courts.
Another example of the negative impact this bill would have is with respect to sex offenses involving minor children. Courts have consistently held that no proof of knowledge is needed with respect to one element of the offense--the age of the minor. If the default mens rea requirements in this legislation are adopted, those who exploit children sexually or produce child pornography have a ready-made defense--claim ignorance of the child's true age.
Prosecutors should not have to prove both that the individual committed the offense and knew the conduct was unlawful as this would quickly become farcical. Yes, the defendant committed fraud, but did not realize fraud was illegal. Yes, the defendant bought drugs, but believed them to be lawful synthetic drugs. Yes, the defendant is the member of a criminal gang, but was not aware that his affiliation exposed him to prosecution under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
The FOP, which has expressed some concern with some of the sentencing reform proposals moving in Congress, is downright alarmed at the violence this legislation would do to the criminal justice system. We call on cooler and smarter heads to send this bill where it belongs--the nearest wastebasket.
VII. FOP PRIORITY IN NEW DoD BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, applauded news that, on the eve of Thanksgiving, the President signed into law S. 1365, an updated version of the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016."
"Our effort here was to give the Secretary of Defense the same authorities of the Secretary of Homeland Security, which is to provide statutory arrest authority to the civilian law enforcement officers serving in the Department," Canterbury explained. "It was the FOP's strategy to do this, not through a stand-alone legislation, but the reauthorization bill. It took some time, but ultimately--we succeeded."
The previous NDAA bill was vetoed by the President because of an increase to the Overseas Contingency Operations fund. The budget deal that was agreed to earlier this month resolved that issue and Congress quickly passed an amended version of the bill.
"I want our members to know and understand that this success is entirely that of the FOP," Canterbury said. "There were no coalition of groups, no grand alliances. Our members came to us with this issue, we made it a top priority and now it is law because of the FOP's efforts."
While the law goes into immediate effect, this does not mean that there will be any immediate change in policy at the U.S. Department of Defense. It may take some time before the DoD implements the new law.
"These changes will take time and we will continue to work with our DoD members to make sure their voices are heard as the process goes forward," Canterbury said.
VIII. FOP PRIORITY IN NEW DoD BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, applauded news that, on the eve of Thanksgiving, the President signed into law S. 1365, an updated version of the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016."
"Our effort here was to give the Secretary of Defense the same authorities of the Secretary of Homeland Security, which is to provide statutory arrest authority to the civilian law enforcement officers serving in the Department," Canterbury explained. "It was the FOP's strategy to do this, not through a stand-alone legislation, but the reauthorization bill. It took some time, but ultimately--we succeeded."
The previous NDAA bill was vetoed by the President because of an increase to the Overseas Contingency Operations fund. The budget deal that was agreed to earlier this month resolved that issue and Congress quickly passed an amended version of the bill.
"I want our members to know and understand that this success is entirely that of the FOP," Canterbury said. "There were no coalition of groups, no grand alliances. Our members came to us with this issue, we made it a top priority and now it is law because of the FOP's efforts."
While the law goes into immediate effect, this does not mean that there will be any immediate change in policy at the U.S. Department of Defense. It may take some time before the DoD implements the new law.
"These changes will take time and we will continue to work with our DoD members to make sure their voices are heard as the process goes forward," Canterbury said.
IX. Letter to National Football League (NFL) on the carriage of firearms at their venues
National President Chuck Canterbury sent a letter to the National Football League (NFL) asking the league to reconsider their ban on off-duty and retired law enforcement officer carrying firearms at NFL venues. You can read that letter here: http://www.fop.net/legislative/20151120090347.pdf
X. Follow the FOP National Legislative Office on Twitter!
Sign up today for the latest news from Capitol Hill: https://twitter.com/FOPLegislative
For the Week of 30 November 2015
I. Legislative News and Activity
II. This Week in Congress
III. Update on Top Legislative Priorities
IV. DAY ON THE HILL 2016!!!
V. Letter on Congressional leadership on LE equipment programs
VI. Statement of National FOP President on H.R. 4002, the "Criminal Code Improvements Act"
VII. Statement of National FOP President on Sentencing Reform
VIII. FOP Priority in New DoD Bill Signed into Law
IX. Letter to National Football League (NFL) on the carriage of firearms at their venues
X. Follow the FOP National Legislative Office on Twitter!
I. LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY
National President Chuck Canterbury was in Washington, D.C. this week to attend board meetings of the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Fund and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
National President Canterbury also gave numerous television interviews on the FOP's position on the NFL's policy prohibiting active and retired law enforcement officers from carrying their firearms at NFL venues and the events in San Bernardino, CA.
Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with W. Neil Eggleston, White House Counsel, and Roy L. Austin, Jr., Deputy Assistant to the President, Director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs on sentencing reform and H.R. 4002, the "Criminal Code Improvement Act," which proposes changes to Federal statutes governing mens rea (See Item VI. below for more information
Executive Director Pasco spoke with Alejandro Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to discuss the immigration and refugee issues.
Executive Director Pasco spoke with Heather Childs, Chief of Staff to Deputy Attorney General Sally Quillen Yates and G. Scott Hulsey, Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, on sentencing reform issues and H.R. 4002.
Executive Director Pasco met with the editorial board of the Marshall Institute and spoke to reporters about civil rights, crime, criminal justice and policing issues.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaisons Marisa Beam and Michael Martin represented the FOP on a conference call with law enforcement stakeholders regarding asset forfeiture reform.
Legislative Liaisons Beam and Martin met with staff in the offices of Representatives Duncan D. Hunter (R-CA) and Steven D. Russell (R-OK) to discuss H.R. 2350, the "Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act."
Legislative Liaison Martin met with staff in the office of Representative Louis J. Barletta to discuss H.R. 2350, the "Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act."
II. THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS
The House and Senate were in session this week.
Action in the House
The House considered and passed the conference report on H.R. 22, the "Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act," on a 359-65 vote. The conference report will next be considered by the Senate.
The House considered and passed the conference report on S. 1177, the "Every Child Achieves Act," on a 359-64 vote. The conference report will next be considered by the Senate.
Action in House Committees
The Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on H.R.699, the "Email Privacy Act."
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing entitled: "Office of National Drug Control Policy: Reauthorization."
Action in the Senate
The Senate considered, amended and passed H.R. 3726, the "Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act," on a 52-47 vote. The bill uses the process of reconciliation to eliminate parts of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare). The Senate also considered the following amendments:
- S. Amdt. 2882, offered by Senator Dean A. Heller (R-NV), which would repeal the so-called "Cadillac tax" in ObamaCare, was adopted on a 90-10 vote;
- S. Amdt. 2908, offered by Senator Jospeh Manchin III (D-WV), which would expand background checks and the scope of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) was defeated by a point of order; and
- S. Amdt. 2914, offered by Senator Charles E, Grassley (R-IA), which aimed to improve the availability of records to the NICS, address mental illness in the criminal justice system, and end straw purchases and trafficking of illegal firearms was defeated on a point of order.
The Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing entitled: "Oversight of the Administration's Criminal Alien Removal Policies."
III. UPDATE ON TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
For the complete list of cosponsors for all of our top legislative priorities, or to find out if your Representative and Senators are cosponsors of specific bills, check out http://thomas.loc.gov.
A. Support H.R. 973/S. 1651, the "Security Fairness Act"
We added 5 cosponsors to H.R. 973 for a total of 128.
We have a total of 19 cosponsors on S. 1651.
B. Support H.R. 2254, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Equity Act"
We added 3 cosponsors on H.R. 2254 for a total of 13.
C. PASSED: Legislation to Grant Statutory Arrest Authority to Civilian DoD Law Enforcement
The President signed S. 1356, “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016," into law. See Item VIII. below.
IV. DAY ON THE HILL 2016!
Your participation in this year's Day on the Hill is of critical importance as the 114th Congress begins its final session and the Presidential campaigns heat up. We need to make our voices heard and work hard to ensure that our issues are considered in the year ahead and by all the candidates for President. Please attend if you can; we need your participation!!!
The FOP Day on The Hill 2016 will begin on Monday, 29 February 2016. The National Legislative Office and the National Legislative Committee will host a short briefing on our legislative agenda. The briefing will take place at 3pm on that Monday afternoon at D.C. Lodge #1 and last approximately one hour.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 1-2 March, will be devoted to your meetings with Members from your home States and districts. These appointments should be made in advance!!! Event participants should make every effort to have their Representative or Senator attend the meeting along with the appropriate staff person.
Accommodations for Day on the Hill Participants
The National Legislative Office will arranged for a block of rooms and makes this information available as soon as its available.
V. Letter on Congressional leadership on LE equipment programs
National President Chuck Canterbury sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to restore State and local law enforcement equipment programs as part of the omnibus appropriations package. You can read that letter here: http://www.fop.net/publications/archives/letters/1033-omnibus.pdf
VI. STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL FOP PRESIDENT ON H.R. 4002, THE "CRIMINAL CODE IMPROVEMENT ACT"
Rarely has a piece of legislation been given such an ill-suited name. This legislation addresses the issue of mens rea or the offender's "state of mind" with respect to determining criminal culpability. The bill as written would overturn long-standing court holdings on mens rea standards and applications and replace them with an arbitrary "reasonable person standard." This potentially creates an instant defense for any offender asserting that he was not aware his actions were criminal and force the government to prove otherwise. This standard may work in civil tort cases but is hugely problematic in criminal proceedings.
This would be absurd on its face if it were not for the fact that this legislation, H.R. 4002, was introduced on a Monday and favorably reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary only 48 hours later on a voice vote. It is difficult to imagine how the members of the Committee, many of whom have law enforcement and prosecutorial experience, could vote in favor of the measure. It is telling that there was no outreach or opportunity for the law enforcement community to weigh in on the proposed bill. It was introduced and then passed with unseemly speed.
The FOP is also very skeptical of this bill. Our laws need to be clear and fairly applied, not applied contingent on any one individual's state of mind. This potentially creates confusion and uncertainty and may enable defendants charged with serious and violent offenses--including terrorism and sexual offenses--to escape liability for their crimes. The FOP will not support reforms in which the conviction of a murderous terrorist would depend on establishing that he knew his victims would be U.S. nationals and the firearms used in the attack traveled in interstate commerce. This is absurd and potentially dangerous.
The legislation is not clear with respect to whether the new requirements would apply to all components of an offense or just particular circumstances. Many Federal crimes do not have default mens rea requirements and that many criminal prosecutions are very complex and may not break down into components where different mens rea requirements exist. This will create needless confusion in the courts.
Another example of the negative impact this bill would have is with respect to sex offenses involving minor children. Courts have consistently held that no proof of knowledge is needed with respect to one element of the offense--the age of the minor. If the default mens rea requirements in this legislation are adopted, those who exploit children sexually or produce child pornography have a ready-made defense--claim ignorance of the child's true age.
Prosecutors should not have to prove both that the individual committed the offense and knew the conduct was unlawful as this would quickly become farcical. Yes, the defendant committed fraud, but did not realize fraud was illegal. Yes, the defendant bought drugs, but believed them to be lawful synthetic drugs. Yes, the defendant is the member of a criminal gang, but was not aware that his affiliation exposed him to prosecution under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
The FOP, which has expressed some concern with some of the sentencing reform proposals moving in Congress, is downright alarmed at the violence this legislation would do to the criminal justice system. We call on cooler and smarter heads to send this bill where it belongs--the nearest wastebasket.
VII. FOP PRIORITY IN NEW DoD BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, applauded news that, on the eve of Thanksgiving, the President signed into law S. 1365, an updated version of the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016."
"Our effort here was to give the Secretary of Defense the same authorities of the Secretary of Homeland Security, which is to provide statutory arrest authority to the civilian law enforcement officers serving in the Department," Canterbury explained. "It was the FOP's strategy to do this, not through a stand-alone legislation, but the reauthorization bill. It took some time, but ultimately--we succeeded."
The previous NDAA bill was vetoed by the President because of an increase to the Overseas Contingency Operations fund. The budget deal that was agreed to earlier this month resolved that issue and Congress quickly passed an amended version of the bill.
"I want our members to know and understand that this success is entirely that of the FOP," Canterbury said. "There were no coalition of groups, no grand alliances. Our members came to us with this issue, we made it a top priority and now it is law because of the FOP's efforts."
While the law goes into immediate effect, this does not mean that there will be any immediate change in policy at the U.S. Department of Defense. It may take some time before the DoD implements the new law.
"These changes will take time and we will continue to work with our DoD members to make sure their voices are heard as the process goes forward," Canterbury said.
VIII. FOP PRIORITY IN NEW DoD BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, applauded news that, on the eve of Thanksgiving, the President signed into law S. 1365, an updated version of the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016."
"Our effort here was to give the Secretary of Defense the same authorities of the Secretary of Homeland Security, which is to provide statutory arrest authority to the civilian law enforcement officers serving in the Department," Canterbury explained. "It was the FOP's strategy to do this, not through a stand-alone legislation, but the reauthorization bill. It took some time, but ultimately--we succeeded."
The previous NDAA bill was vetoed by the President because of an increase to the Overseas Contingency Operations fund. The budget deal that was agreed to earlier this month resolved that issue and Congress quickly passed an amended version of the bill.
"I want our members to know and understand that this success is entirely that of the FOP," Canterbury said. "There were no coalition of groups, no grand alliances. Our members came to us with this issue, we made it a top priority and now it is law because of the FOP's efforts."
While the law goes into immediate effect, this does not mean that there will be any immediate change in policy at the U.S. Department of Defense. It may take some time before the DoD implements the new law.
"These changes will take time and we will continue to work with our DoD members to make sure their voices are heard as the process goes forward," Canterbury said.
IX. Letter to National Football League (NFL) on the carriage of firearms at their venues
National President Chuck Canterbury sent a letter to the National Football League (NFL) asking the league to reconsider their ban on off-duty and retired law enforcement officer carrying firearms at NFL venues. You can read that letter here: http://www.fop.net/legislative/20151120090347.pdf
X. Follow the FOP National Legislative Office on Twitter!
Sign up today for the latest news from Capitol Hill: https://twitter.com/FOPLegislative
MONTHLY INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Please visit our Links and Resources section under MORE. There you will find a link to the City's website where you can find Actuarial Reports, Agendas, Audit Reports, Forms, Investments and Summary Plans.
Please visit our Links and Resources section under MORE. There you will find a link to the City's website where you can find Actuarial Reports, Agendas, Audit Reports, Forms, Investments and Summary Plans.