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Welcome to NAPO

The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States that serves to advance the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education.

Founded in 1978, NAPO is now the strongest unified voice supporting law enforcement officers in the United States. NAPO represents more than 2,000 police units and associations, 241,000 sworn law enforcement officers, 11,000 retired officers and more than 100,000 citizens who share a common dedication to fair and effective crime control and law enforcement.


NAPO's TOP COPS® Honored by President Obama

Thirty two TOP COPS were honored at the White House on May 12, 2009.  The officers met with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in the Oval Office before being recognized by the President, Vice President and Attorney General Eric Holder at a ceremony in the Rose Garden. Attendees of the ceremony included friends and family of the TOP COPS Winners, as well as dignitaries from Congress and NAPO Executive Board members. Watch the ceremony on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvMWH54sG7s


NAPO Announces 2009 TOP COPS® Award Winners

Arizona
Phoenix Police Department
Police Officer Fabian Gonzalez

Florida
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Sheriff William Badala

Georgia
Tifton Police Department
Police Officer Dorminey D. McCrae

Idaho
Boise Police Department
Police Officer Chris Davis
Police Officer Jason Rose

Illinois
Skokie Police Department
Police Officer Timothy Gramins

International
Drug Enforcement Administration
Special Agent John Archer
Special Agent William Brown
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Paul Craine
Supervisory Special Agent Brian Dodd
Supervisory Special Agent Louis J. Milione
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas J. Nargi
Assistant Special Agent in Charge James Soiles

Louisiana
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
Deputy Rhonda Goff

Michigan
Dewitt Township Police Department
Police Officer William Darnell

Missouri
Kansas City Police Department
Police Officer David Loar
Police Officer Christopher Skinner

 Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Police Department
Police Officer Brian Freas


NAPO Leadership Called to Meetings with Vice President and Attorney General

On February 11, 2009, NAPO leadership was in Washington, D.C. for separate meetings with Attorney General Eric Holder and Vice President Joe Biden.  In the morning of the 11th, NAPO President Tom Nee and Executive Director Bill Johnson had a private meeting with the Attorney General to discuss NAPO’s priorities and the direction the association would like to see the Justice Department go on those issues.  

Later that afternoon, NAPO’s elected officers met with Vice President Biden in his office for an informal discussion of the law enforcement priorities of the Obama/Biden administration.  Although several other law enforcement organizations were represented, the Vice President singled out NAPO for its exceptional work in promoting and working for the law enforcement community’s biggest issues.  Vice President Biden also singled out Tom Nee as his close friend and partner over the years in fighting for the needs of law enforcement.  “Although I love all of you guys, if I had to pick one guy to be in a foxhole with, it would be Tommy Nee and NAPO,” said the Vice President.  This continues the special recognition of NAPO as “the leader of America’s national law enforcement organizations” as stated by President Obama.

NAPO looks forward to continuing and strengthening our relationships with the Attorney General Holder and Vice President Biden as we work closely with the new administration over the coming years. View photos of the meetings.


NAPO-ENDORSED FISA BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

On July 10, 2008, President Bush signed into law an electronic surveillance bill that will overhaul and modernize the 30-year-old Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).   Over the past year, passage of this bill has been stalled due to a congressional standoff over the issue of granting retroactive legal immunity to telecommunications companies being sued for their cooperation in the federal government's surveillance program after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  Understanding the necessity of passing this FISA legislation, Democratic and Republican Congressional leadership began discussions over compromise language.  Negotiations were halted numerous times because House Democrats were unwilling to accept the immunity provision as part of the bill and Senate Republicans vowed to block any bill that did not protect telecommunications companies from prosecution.

In March, NAPO stepped into the fray, urging lawmakers to support the retroactive immunity provision.  In June, a compromise was made: a federal district court will rule that all existing lawsuits against third parties that assisted in surveillance would be waived if there was “substantial evidence” they received written assurances that the program was legal and authorized by the president.  NAPO supports this compromise, which was passed by Congress on June 9, and is certain that the court will dismiss the lawsuits.

NAPO believes that after the tragedies of September 11, 2001, telecommunications firms fulfilled what they perceived to be their patriotic duty in responding to the government’s request for assistance in gathering intelligence.  We feel that these firms should not come under legal action for responding to requests authorized by the President and the Attorney General.  It is unfair to subject these companies to costly civil lawsuits and damaged reputations merely for cooperating with their government. 

Additionally, granting retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies is necessary to avoid establishing a very dangerous precedent that would act as a strong disincentive for individual companies and even entire industries to assist law enforcement at any level of government.  We believe granting immunity is essential to preserving the cooperative relationship between the government and private industry. 

The federal government alone cannot fight the war on terror.  It depends on state and local governments, as well as the private sector, to help prevent the next terrorist attack.  We need to strengthen, not weaken, these established partnerships.  NAPO feels that in providing retroactive immunity for companies that cooperated in the government's war on terror, we have taken an important step toward keeping our nation safe.  


NAPO ACHIEVES VICTORY AT U.S. SUPREME COURT

On February 25, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two decisions in favor of the National Association of Police Organizations ("NAPO") and law enforcement officers across the United States.  First, the Court granted a motion filed by NAPO in November to allow the group to participate in the case as an "amicus curiae" or "friend of the court".  The role of an amicus curiae is to make available to the Court the benefit of NAPO's extensive knowledge and experience in the sphere of law enforcement, particularly as it regards the challenges and dangers confronted by rank and file officers.  NO OTHER POLICE GROUP WAS GRANTED PERMISSION BY THE COURT TO PARTICIPATE.

Second, the Court also granted a petition made by the State of Arizona and supported by NAPO, to review a decision of the Arizona State Supreme Court that, if left unchallenged, could significantly endanger the safety of officers everywhere.  In the case, Tucson officers conducted a routine "Belton" search of the interior of a vehicle following the lawful arrest of the occupant.  On appeal, the state supreme court held for the first time that once the officers had placed the occupant under arrest and secured him, they had lost the right to search the vehicle they had just removed him from.  This decision contradicts well-settled law concerning the right of officers to search the passenger compartments of vehicles to locate and preserve evidence, to safekeep items, and most importantly, to protect themselves.  If left to stand, the Arizona court's decision would force officers to try to search a vehicle when the accused is still occupying it, or to give up their legitimate right to protect their own safety by being unable to search once an arrest has been made.   

The next step in this process at the U.S. Supreme Court level, now that that Court has agreed to take jurisdiction, will be for both parties to file briefs on the merits, and to set the case for oral argument.     NAPO will keep all members informed of the progress of the case.  The case is titled "Arizona vs. Gant"  U.S. Supreme Court Case No. 07-542.  NAPO's brief was authored by Devallis Rutledge of the Los Angeles County D.A.'s Office, and Bill Johnson, NAPO's executive director and general counsel.

NAPO AGAIN SOLE POLICE GROUP TO TESTIFY BEFORE U.S. SENATE

Anthony Wieners, NAPO Executive Board Member and President of the New Jersey State PBA, Testifies Before Senate Judiciary Subcommittee

On Wednesday, February, 27, 2008, Detective Anthony Wieners, NAPO Executive Board Member and President of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs on “Supporting the Front Line in the Fight Against Crime: Restoring Federal Funding for State and Local Law Enforcement.”  The hearing consisted of three panels of witnesses. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Mark Eply, senior counsel to the deputy attorney general of the U.S. Department of Justice, made up the first two panels.  Detective Wieners testified alongside Police Chief Jeffrey Horvath of Dover, Delaware, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Police Commissioner Charles Ramsay on the third panel.  Detective Wieners was the only representative of rank-and-file law enforcement asked to testify at the hearing. 

This is the third time in ten months that the U.S. Congress has turned to NAPO to be the sole rank-and-file law enforcement organization to provide testimony regarding the role of the federal government in helping communities prevent and respond to violent crime, as well as the need for collective bargaining for America’s law enforcement officers.   

Detective Wieners addressed three issues in his testimony that are of increasing concern to NAPO and law enforcement: the decrease in funding for vital Department of Justice state and local law enforcement assistance programs witnessed over the past several years; the additional duties taken on by local law enforcement agencies in the post-9/11 era; and finally, the recent increase in crime rates experienced by communities nationwide.  He called on the federal government to reverse the downward spiral in support of state and local law enforcement grant programs and to recognize the important impact having more police on the streets has on crime. 

Click here for a complete copy of Detective Wieners’ submitted testimony.

 

 

Latest News:


NAPO President Tom Nee Appointed to Homeland Security Advisory Council

NAPO Once Again Successful in U.S. Supreme Court Case Ricci v. City of New Haven

THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET AND THE PSOB DEATH BENEFIT

NAPO Endorses Judge Sonia Sotomayor for U.S. Supreme Court

President's 2010 Budget Supports Key Law Enforcement Programs

National Scientific Research Agenda for Public Safety Published

NAPO Sole Rank-and-File Group Invited to Speak at Attorney General' s Law Enforcement Summit

NAPO Meets With White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Team

NAPO Submits Testimony to Senate on Law Enforcement Responses to Mexican Drug Cartels

2008 TOP COPS Award® Recipient and Philadelphia Police Department Officer Richard G. DeCoatsworth receives Vice Presidential invitation

NAPO VICTORY: COPS HIRING FUNDS IN THE STIMULUS BILL CAN BE USED FOR RETENTION

NIOSH Firing Range Blog - Prevent Lead Poisoning and Hearing Loss

Update for Members on Proposed National Law Enforcement Museum

NAPO Holds Press Conference with Senator Leahy to Support Eric Holder

NAPO Leadership Summoned to Vice Presidential Transition Meeting

NAPO's Letter Regarding Parole for Copkiller Voltaire Williams

Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing on the Need to Fund Law Enforcement Assistance Programs

Eric Holder to be Named U.S. Attorney General

NAPO Victory! IRS Delays Normal Retirement Age Rules

NAPO Victory! Congress Passes Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act 

Another NAPO Victory! DHS Loosens Grant Requirements

NAPO Welcomes 3,068 New Members!

No-Cost Lodging for Officers Visiting the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota

Presidential Candidates Vie for NAPO's Endorsement

NAPO Announces 2008 TOP COPS Award® Winners

2008 TOP COPS® Honorable Mentions

Senate Begins Debate on Collective Bargaining Bill

NAPO Testifies Before Senate Crime and Drug Subcommittee

NAPO Fights to Restore Byrne-JAG Funding

UPDATE: Public Safety Collective Bargaining Act

House Holds Hearing on GPO/WEP January 16, 2008

Senate Holds GPO/WEP Hearing November 6, 2007

Funding for Police Chaplains Now Available

OUTSTANDING VICTORY FOR NAPO:
H.R. 980 PASSES HOUSE

NAPO TESTIFIES BEFORE CONGRESS ON COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

NAPO Testifies in Hearing on 9/11 Health Effects

DOJ ALERT: Dragon Skin Body Armor Does Not Meet NIJ Standards

NAPO Victory: House Passes Bill Banning Posting of Police Officer Information on Web

Another NAPO victory!  Congress looks to double funding for Mentally Ill Offender Treatment Act

NAPO launches key officer safety initiative

Basic Immigration Enforcement Training: Information & Sign Up

NAPO Victory: DOE pulls plan to end Contractor DB Plan Reimbursements

Florida's Governor Charlie Crist appoints Mick McHale to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Mick McHale is NAPO'S Executive Secretary

READ NAPO'S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

Read NAPO's Legislative Scorecard

The Washington Report

New PSOB Regulations - including Hometown Heroes Act provisions.
Available Here for Review.

Interactive Guide to Public Safety Officers Death Benefits. Available Here.

HELPS Retirees Act Implementation Resources

Sign Up to Receive NAPO Updates through E-Mail

Right to Carry FAQs
Click here for entire language.

Upcoming NAPO Events


NAPO's 31st Annual Convention
July 30- August 3, 2009
Intercontinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco
San Francisco, California
registration form

NAPO's 22nd Annual Police, Fire, EMS and Municipal Employee Pension & Benefits Seminar
February 8-10, 2010
Caesar's Palace
Las Vegas, Nevada

NAPO's Annual Legal Rights & Legislative Seminar
May 13, 2010
Washington, D.C.

17th Annual TOP COPS Awards®Ceremony
May 14, 2010
The Warner Theatre
Washington, D.C.
nominate an officer today

 

Membership Information:

Join the National Association of Police Organizations today!

Contact NAPO:

NAPO
317 South Patrick Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703-549-0775
Fax: 703-684-0515
E-mail: info@napo.org

 
 
 

Copyright © 2009 by National Association of Police Organizations. All Rights Reserved.


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