The Washington Report - August 13, 1998
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| August 13, 1998 NAPO Delegates Gather for 20th Annual Convention! NAPO THANKS HOST
ORGANIZATION, THE PORTLAND POLICE ASSOCIATION, FOR A GREAT CONVENTION! As convention business got underway, in our thoughts and prayers were all of our nation’s fallen officers, including two U.S. Capitol Police Officers, Jacob Joseph Chestnut and John M. Gibson, who were killed in the line of duty on July 24, 1998 while protecting the U.S. Capitol. Convention special guest speakers included U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) and U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). Scott E. Thomas, Vice Chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) addressed the delegates on the legal ramifications when making a donation to a federal campaign. Dr. Peter Manning of Michigan State University presented on the issues of privatization and civilianization and their threats against law enforcement. Hank Sheinkopf, President of Sheinkopf Communications, and Thomas Nee, President of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, Inc. shared “The Boston Experience” with NAPO delegates on how cops can control their own destiny through issue and media campaigns. A lesson learned from “The Boston Experience” that can be applied to other police labor issues is that in order to win - you must first be willing to pay the financial cost of a quality consultant and media campaign. This further strengthens the need for police labor groups to have strong financial structures. Michael Grossman, Director of the National Institute of Justice, Office of Science and Technology, reviewed current technological advancements in law enforcement and provided delegates with information on how to obtain such technology for their departments. The future of collective bargaining in the public sector was examined by Larry Hoover, President of Justex Systems Inc., who was recognized by NAPO for his outstanding commitment to the study of collective bargaining in the public sector. Jim Whitehead, Pacific Trustee with Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc., presented Executive Director Robert T. Scully with a gift in appreciation for NAPO’s success in the passage of the Care for Police Survivors Act. Joseph Brann, Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, gave delegates an overview of the COPS grant program, and reviewed both its accomplishments and the current status of retention efforts. Brann also announced that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has openings in the monitoring division of its Washington, DC office. He is currently seeking rank and file candidates. If you are interested, please call (202) 514-4229. The serious threat of organized crime and cigarette smuggling in the United States was covered by Ron J. Martelle, President, FIA Specialist Investigations Group, Inc., Mario Possamai, President, FIA International Research Ltd., and Robert Silbering, President, Forensic Investigative Associates (USA) Inc. Stephen R. McSpadden, NAPO’s General Counsel, reviewed the recent activities of the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Rights Center and gave highlights of U.S. Supreme Court cases and appellate court cases affecting law enforcement. Professor Byron Warnken, Program Director for the National Law Enforcement Officers' Rights Center, made a presentation to NAPO delegates entitled “Picking Your Legal Battles: When to Fight and When to Sit It Out.” There was also a workshop for attorneys on the rights of officers involved in the use of deadly force, how the Garrity and Weingarten rules apply in a use of force setting and the interplay between criminal, disciplinary and administrative investigations. The workshop featured prominent police attorneys Will Aitchison and Mike Staropoli and Dr. Alexis Artwohl, a nationally-recognized expert on the traumatic effects of the use of force. DELEGATES PASS NEW RESOLUTIONS NAPO delegates passed four new resolutions at the 20th Annual Convention. The first resolution passed in support of H.R. 3503, the ‘Retirement Account Portability Act of 1998’ and H.R. 3788, ‘Retirement Security for the 21st Century Act’. Both bills address the issue of public pensions and if passed into law would allow rollovers of benefits between and among 457, 403(b), and 401(k) plans and would permit funds from all of these plans to be used to purchase permissive service credits. After hearing Dr. Manning’s presentation on privatization and civilianization and their threats against law enforcement, delegates passed a resolution that opposed any legislation that would jeopardize the public safety in our communities by replacing current police filled jobs with civilians or machines. Also passed was a resolution on juvenile crime encouraging the government to provide states the financial resources needed to punish violent juvenile offenders and to alleviate and deter juvenile crime. And lastly, a resolution was passed thanking and recognizing the Portland Police Association for their efforts in making the 20th Annual Convention a success. Delegates also revised a pre-existing resolution against mandatory Social Security taxes for public safety workers and their employing agencies. PRESENTATION OF THE ANNUAL PETE LAWER AWARD This year in remembrance of NAPO friend Pete Lawer, NAPO recognized Thomas J. Scotto, NAPO President, for his commitment to NAPO. Tom was surprised as his name was called and he was asked to come to the stage to receive the award, “I can’t express to you how pleased I am to receive this award. It means so much that this is in Pete Lawer’s memory, that is what makes this award so special,” said Scotto. UPDATE ON COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT OF 1997 As reported to you in the last edition of the Washington Report, July 6, 1998, the ‘Community Protection Act of 1997’, H.R. 218 underwent markup by the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime on June 19, 1998. As you know, NAPO has lobbied since the 103rd Congress for the passage of this bill that (as originally drafted) would allow both active and retired law enforcement officers to carry their weapons, on or off duty, across state lines, provided that they possess the minimal qualifications to carry a gun and are not currently under the care of a doctor for psychological problems. However, during this markup, Chairman Bill McCollum (R-FL) offered an amendment that would give this same type of privilege to citizens. While the bill received full committee approval on August 5, 1998, NAPO still believes that the amendment will serve as an obstacle when it comes to vote by the full House of Representatives. The McCollum amendment added language that would create a ‘National Standard for the Carrying of Certain Concealed Firearms’ for private citizens. Under this amendment, each state will be classified into the following categories based on the existing state laws: 1) “Class I” state – a state that is required to issue a license to anyone who meets the criteria established under law; and 2) “Class II” state – a state that is authorized, but not required, to issue a license to anyone who meets the criteria under established law. If a state prohibits the right to carry a concealed weapon, then licenses are not issued. A person with a “Class I” or “Class II” permit will be allowed to carry a concealed firearm in a “Class I” state. A person with a “Class I” or “Class II” permit will be allowed to carry a concealed firearm in a “Class II” state, if the Governor has opted to permit out of state CCW license holders in his or her state. WELCOME ABOARD! The Montana Police Protective Association, established in 1930, joined NAPO during our 20th Annual Convention, adding over 500 new law enforcement officers to NAPO’s growing membership. “Our membership recognized the need for national representation at the federal level. We are excited to be on board with NAPO and look forward to enjoying the many member benefits NAPO provides,” said Jerry Williams, Treasurer. NAPO welcomes the Montana Police Protective Association! TOP COPS HOTEL UPDATE If you have not made your sleeping room reservations for NAPO’s TOP COPS Awards®
Ceremony and the Executive Board Meeting, please do so at once. Reservations must be
made by September 8, the hotel will be sold out! The Omni-Shoreham room reservation
phone number is (202) 234-0700. Also, when making travel arrangements, please keep
in mind that check-in is at 3:00 p.m. Due to another conference at the hotel, there
will be no early check-ins on Wednesday, October 7. The hotel has been renovated and
features new décor and furniture, each room has individual temperature controls, modem
hookups, and fully stocked minibars. CATCH COPNET! - The Police Radio Network Hosted by Chief Bill Berger of North Miami Beach and Lieutenant Bill Erfurth of the Metro-Dade Police Department, CopNet a nationally syndicated radio program where police issues, crime prevention, police-community relations, and citizen interaction is the talk. Segments such as “The Best of the Best in Law Enforcement,” “Heroes Amongst Us,” and “Be on the Lookout,” regularly highlight NAPO’s TOP COPS Awards® winners, honorable mentions and nominees for their heroic acts, as well as NAPO updates on federal legislation affecting law enforcement. CopNet is currently expanding to radio stations throughout the United States. If you are interested in hearing the show aired in your area, please contact your local radio station’s Program Director and urge him or her to broadcast CopNet. Encourage them to contact Marie at Jarad Syndication (516) 222-1466. You can visit CopNet’s website at www.copnet.org. CopNet currently airs in the following cities: STATION MARKET AIR TIME WLIR-FM, 92.7 FM New York, NY Sundays 5:30-7:00 AM |