November 1, 1997

A proposed bill spearheaded by the National Association of Police Organizations has been introduced in Congress by Representatives Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN). The Public Safety Officers Educational Assistance Act of 1998, H.R. 27

NAPO received national attention for the proposal during a White House Rose Garden Ceremony on October 9, 1997 honoring the 1997 TOP COPS AwardsÒ winners when President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno announced their support.

If passed into law, the Public Safety Officers Education Assistance Act of 1998 would expand the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Dependents Act of 1997, or the Degan Bill, in memory of Deputy United States Marshal William Degan, who was shot and kille

NAPO will continue its fight to pass the Public Safety Officers Educational Assistance Act of 1998 into law. Please call the NAPO office at (202) 842-4420 for more information.

THE FOURTH ANNUAL TOP COPS AWARDSÒ -- OFFICERS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR HEROISM

On October 9, 1997, NAPO held its Fourth Annual TOP COPS AwardsÒ Ceremony in Washington, DC. NAPO members, celebrities, politicians and members of the law enforcement and corporate communities traveled from across the country for the spectacular event.

The event was emceed by Richard Belzer of NBC’s Homicide: Life on the Street and Lynne Russell of CNN’s Headline News. S. Epatha Merkerson of NBC’s Law & Order, Ed Marinaro of Hill Street Blues, Max Gail of Barney

The TOP COPS AwardsÒ pay tribute to law enforcement officers from across the country for outstanding service in their communities during the preceding year. The TOP COPS were nominated by fellow officers and selected from hundreds of nominations by an Awards Committee. This

The 1997 TOP COPS AwardsÒ Winners

ARIZONA, Phoenix Police Department

Sergeant James L. Collins

Officer Martin M. Madrid

Officer Scott Masino

Officer Kenneth D. Petersen

Officer George H. Somershoe, IV

Officer Garrick D. Ward

Officer Donald K. Weverstad

CALIFORNIA

San Diego Police Department

Sergeant Derek Daniel Diaz

KENTUCKY

Jefferson County Police Department

Officer David R. Culler

MASSACHUSETTS Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration

Special Agent Phil Muollo

MICHIGAN Wixom Police Department

Officer Gary M. Hamlin

Officer Martin G. Harp

MINNESOTA

St. Louis County Sheriff's Department

Deputy David S. Akerson

OHIO Lorain Police Department

Sergeant Richard Resendez

PENNSYLVANIA

City of Pittsburgh Police Department

Officer John J. Wilbur

VIRGINIA

Fairfax County Police Department

Officer Gary L. Beaver

Police Officer First Class Troy S. Payne

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Metropolitan Police Department
 

Officer William D. Bowman

The ceremony was a memorable event for all those who attended. The TOP COPS were honored to receive such prestigious awards, but no one forgot their colleagues at home.

"It makes all the work we’ve done worthwhile. I wish that every officer could experience it."

- Officer Scott Masino

Phoenix Police Department

"Wonderful. Absolutely great. The best night I’ve probably had in my life, with the exception of my wedding day."

-Deputy David S. Akerson

St. Louis County Sheriff's Department

"I feel really honored and privileged to be recognized in this way. And at the same time, I am just extremely humbled. When I look at all the different officers that I know from my 10 years of experience, and I really do truly believe that I’m j

-Sergeant Derek Daniel Diaz

San Diego Police Department

NAPO members will be receiving VHS tapes highlighting the Fourth Annual TOP COPS AwardsÒ by mid-December. Please mark your calendars for the Fifth Annual TOP COPS AwardsÒ , Thursday, October 8, 1998 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.

NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

Dates have been set for National Police Week 1998 activities in Washington, DC. The tenth annual Candlelight Vigil will be held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on Wednesday, May 13. Sponsored by the National

The National Police Survivors’ Seminars, sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) for the survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, will be held Thursday and Saturday, May 14 and 16. The seminars will again be held at t

For more information, contact the NAPO office at (202) 842-4420 or the COPS office at (573) 346-4911.

UPDATE ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE COOPERATION ACT OF 1997

NAPO members heard our call to action loud and clear! We are now up to 159 Congressional co-sponsors of the Public Safety Employer/Employee Cooperation Act of 1997. The increase in co-sponsors can at least in part be credited

The Public Safety Employer/Employee Cooperation Act of 1997 would provide collective bargaining rights for state and local public safety officers. For more information on how you can help, please contact the NAPO office (202) 842-4420.

NAPO IS HERE TO HELP

NAPO encourages members to contact the NAPO office if they think they may need our assistance in local matters. Perhaps NAPO could issue a statement or press release to the national media supporting your position, or call for t

If schedules permit, a NAPO representative may be able to attend your local press conference or other event to announce our national support on your behalf. There are currently over 200,000 NAPO members - a huge resource in manpower and experience. D

CFC DONATIONS

The Police Research and Education Project (PREP), NAPO’s sister 501 (c)(3) research and education organization is included in the 1997 Combined Federal Campaign List.

Please encourage colleagues, friends and family members who are federal employees to designate the Police Research and Education Project during the Combined Federal Campaign. Our CFC number is 2926.

CANDIDATES PROUD OF THEIR

NAPO ENDORSEMENTS

NAPO President Tom Scotto announced NAPO’s endorsement of Eric Vitaliano (D) during a NYC press conference on October 20. Vitaliano is running for the former seat of Representative Susan Molinari in the 13th District of New Yor

Gus Danese, President of the Port Authority PBA, announced NAPO’s endorsement for Governor Christine Todd Whitman (R-NJ) at a New Jersey press conference.

NAPO delegates voted on the endorsements at the Annual Convention in August.

1997 NAPO COMMUNICATIONS SURVEY

Each of you should have received our 1997 NAPO Communications Survey in the mail. Please take a moment to fill it out and return to us by November 14, 1997. Your feedback will help us to serve you better!

WELCOME TO NAPO!

We are pleased to announce the most recent new edition to our NAPO family. The Georgia Conference of Police and Sheriffs (G-COPS) has affiliated with NAPO adding 150 new officers to our ranks. Their President is Hal S. Bailey,

"NAPO membership is growing rapidly," said Robert T. Scully, NAPO’s executive director. "I am so pleased to add G-COPS to our membership roster, and I look forward to NAPO fighting for the rights of these additional Georgia officers,&qu

Welcome Aboard!

PENSION SEMINAR REMINDER

Just a reminder...