May 6, 1998 - NAPO members, distinguished police, labor and constitutional attorneys, union negotiators and government officials from across the nation came to Washington, DC to take part in NAPO’s annual Legal Rights and Legislative Seminar, April 18-21, 1998.

Topics discussed during the seminar included U.S. Supreme Court cases of interest to law enforcement officers, proven collective bargaining techniques during contract negotiations, the impact of the Lautenberg Amendment on officers convicted of domestic violence and a dramatic role play asserting the rights of law enforcement officers during investigations, “When the Shooting Is Over...Everything You Wanted to Know About How to Help Cops Stay Out of Trouble”.

Other topics included recent cases involving First Amendment protected activities of officers, an update on the Americans with Disabilities Act and its implications for officers, current Family and Medical Leave Act issues, sexual harassment in the workplace and other current legislative and legal issues of interest to officers.  NAPO members also made congressional visits to their members of Congress while in Washington.

This years’ Congressional Award honorees included Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL), Representative Bill Archer (R-TX), Representative Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Representative Henry Hyde (R-IL), Representative Rob Portman (R-OH), Representative Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Administrator Thomas A. Constantine, Drug Enforcement Administration, Director Eduardo Gonzalez, United States Marshals Service, and Director John W. Magaw, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

All of the honorees expressed their gratitude for the highly regarded award.  Director John Magaw, who was recognized for his support of TOP COPS®, wrote to NAPO after the ceremony, “Because I believe that it is so vitally important to support law enforcement everywhere and to single out the outstanding members of our profession, what work I have done for TOP COPS® has been a true labor of love.  Like you, I do this gladly, without the expectation of accolades beyond my own personal satisfaction.  So when an award such as this is presented, I am especially honored, because it comes from the fellowship I am proud to be a part of – the men and women of law enforcement who have answered the call to serve the public.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE NAPO OFFICE