NAPO Leadership Participates in Roundtable with
Attorney General Bondi
On May 14, NAPO President Mick McHale and Executive Director Bill Johnson participated in a National Police Week Roundtable with Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House Staff, several Republican state attorneys general, and other national law enforcement leaders.
The purpose of the roundtable was to discuss federal, state, and local law enforcement priorities and how we can work collaboratively with the Department of Justice, and how the Department can best support our efforts to serve and protect our communities.
While many topics were discussed, NAPO’s leadership made a point to raise our deep concerns with the continued lack of accountability and transparency within the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program and how it is doing irreparable harm to those who are rightly seeking death and disability benefits through the Program and to the integrity of the Program itself. Johnson highlighted the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) September 2024 rather damning Report to Congress, Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program: Transparency, Claims Assistance, and Program Management Improvements Needed, which emphasizes deficiencies in the PSOB Program that are negatively impacting claimants.
NAPO is working with several claimants and their families whose PSOB death and disability claims have been pending for over three years, with little knowledge or understanding as to why there has been such a long delay in determining their cases. Officers and their families should not be left in the dark and strung along when it comes to the status of their benefits claims and NAPO urged the Attorney General and the staff from the White House present to help us increase transparency and accountability within the PSOB Program to safeguard the intent of the law.
Earlier that day, NAPO President McHale and Vice President John Flynn met with Vice President J.D. Vance at his residence as part of a Police Week breakfast for national law enforcement leaders, hosted by the Vice President.
We look forward to a close, collaborative relationship with the DOJ and the Administration, and to working them to meet the needs of our nation’s rank-and-file law enforcement, their families, and the communities they serve.
In a Big Win for NAPO, House Passes LEOSA Reform
In a significant victory for NAPO, the House passed the LEOSA Reform Act (H.R. 2243) with a bipartisan vote of 229 – 193 on May 14. NAPO is proud to have worked with members of Congress to enact the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) in 2004 to allow well-qualified off-duty and retired officers to carry their firearms for the protection of themselves, their families, and our nation’s communities. Since its enactment, we have pushed for and supported several amendments to improve the law to ensure that it is easily, fairly, and broadly implemented across the country. However, today, eligible officers continue to encounter unnecessary roadblocks when exercising their legal right to carry a firearm.
We worked with Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) to introduce the LEOSA Reform Act in the 116th Congress to address specific issues that well-qualified active and retired law enforcement officers are facing when exercising their right to protect themselves and others under the law. The important bill would expand the areas qualified current or retired officers are allowed to carry a firearm, including in a Gun Free School Zone; on state, local and private property otherwise open to the public; and in certain federal facilities. It will allow qualified officers and retired officers to carry an ammunition magazine of any capacity that is not prohibited by federal law. Importantly, it will reform qualifications standards to alleviate undue burdens for those carrying under LEOSA.
With the rise in targeted violence against law enforcement officers and violent crimes in our communities, allowing all qualified officers and retirees, who have sworn to serve and protect our communities, to be armed in accordance with LEOSA would allow them to respond more efficiently and effectively in emergencies for the safety of themselves and those around them. The LEOSA Reform Act will go a long way to ensuring all qualified off-duty and retired officers across the country can legally carry their firearm under the law.
NAPO thanks Congressman Bacon for his steadfast support and tireless efforts to get this legislation across the finish line in the House. We now turn to the Senate, where we will work with the Senate sponsor, Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), to move the bill through that chamber.
NAPO Victory! House Passes Bill to Require DOJ to
Track Violent Assaults on Officers
On May 15, the House passed the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act (H.R. 2240), sponsored by Congressman Tim Moore (R-NC), by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 403 – 11. NAPO supports this bill as it would build on existing reporting requirements and fill data gaps to increase our understanding of the circumstances precipitating and involving ambush-style attacks against law enforcement.
Assaults on law enforcement have increased dramatically. NAPO has long advocated that data must be collected on the actual and threatened use of force against officers, and not only in situations involving firearms, to get the greater picture of the threat our officers face. Physical assaults on officers occur daily across the country and they are not treated as the serious crimes that they are.
The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act also requires a report on the stresses and mental health toll these assaults have on officers and the extent to which mental health and wellness programs provided are meeting the needs of officers. This bill will be an important first step to ensuring we are collecting the data necessary to fully understand assaults against officers and getting agencies the support and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the men and women who so valiantly serve and protect our communities.
We thank Congressman Moore for his leadership, and we look forward to working with him and Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), the sponsor of the Senate version (S. 1418), to move this bill through the Senate.
Senate Judiciary Passes 8 NAPO-Backed Bills in
Honor of National Police Week
On May 15, in honor of National Police Week, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved eight NAPO supported bills: the Improving Police Critical Aid for Responding to Emergencies (CARE) Act (S. 1595), Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act (S. 1563), the Strong Communities Act (S. 1316), the Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act (S. 180), the Reauthorizing STOIC Act (S. 419), the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act (S. 237), the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act (S. 911), and the PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act (S. 539).
The Improving Police Critical Aid for Responding to Emergencies (CARE) Act establishes baseline standards for trauma kits purchased using grant funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) and requires the development of best practices for training law enforcement officers to use trauma kits, and for deployment and maintenance of the kits in vehicles and government facilities.
The Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act reauthorizes the Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act, which provides essential grant funding for law enforcement support services, including the establishment of suicide-prevention programs and mental health services and supports for law enforcement officers and their families.
The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act recognizes exposure-related cancers as line of duty injuries and would cover them under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program for death and disability benefits.
The Strong Communities Act allows for COPS Hiring Program funds to be used to pay for local law enforcement recruits to attend schools or academies if the recruits agree to serve in the communities in which they live.
The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act allows for grant funds under the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program to be used for purchasing containment devices for first responders and training first responders on the use of containment devices to prevent secondary exposure to fentanyl and other potentially lethal substances.
The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act reauthorizes and improves the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program to combat child exploitation and abuse.
The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act establishes a grant program to assist law enforcement agencies hire retired federal, state, and local officers to assist with civilian tasks, including performing investigations and analysis as well as training new officers.
The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act covers retired law enforcement officers who are killed or permanently and catastrophically disabled due to their previous work in the line of duty under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program.
We are working with Senate leadership to quickly take up and pass these important bipartisan bills.
DOJ Announces Dismissal of Minneapolis & Louisville Consent Decrees, Changes in Approach to Policing Investigations
The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division announced on May 21 that it is dismissing two lawsuits with preliminary consent decrees: Louisville, Kentucky and Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is also closing its investigations into and retracting the Biden Administration’s findings of constitutional violations on the part of six police departments: Phoenix, Arizona; Trenton, New Jersey; Memphis, Tennessee; Mount Vernon, New York; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and the Louisiana State Police.
NAPO participated on a call with DOJ Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, during which she stated that consent decrees, particularly those initiated by the Biden Administration, do lasting harm to state and local police departments. These consent decrees governed every area of policing, including management, supervision, training, performance evaluations, discipline, staffing, recruitment, and hiring. Cities and departments under consent decrees have experienced increased crime rates, lower satisfaction with law enforcement, a decline in recruitment and retention of officers, and insupportable compliance costs.
We could not agree more. State and local governments have often found their interests and judgments in managing their own affairs vitiated by the federal courts’ structuring of consent decrees. Consent decrees often exemplify a top-down, Washington knows best, one-size-fits all, coercive approach to how state and local policing should be done, what officers should look like, and even what they should think and believe. Such agreements do not instill a sense of partnership between the DOJ and the law enforcement agencies they address, which affects the efficacy of the consent decrees. They also have deleterious effects on officer morale and public safety as rank-and-file officers feel attacked and unsupported by their governments and political officials.
AAG Dhillon made clear that under her leadership the Civil Rights Division is taking a new approach to supporting jurisdictions that want to improve their state or local police departments. She mentioned the collaborative programs offered by the DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), including voluntary reviews of police departments, technical assistance, and grants. She also stated that the Civil Rights Division will continue its authority to ensure police officers do not violate the Constitution or federal civil rights laws, but they will do so on a case-by-case basis to address individual bad cops.
NAPO strongly supports this move by the Civil Rights Division, which reflects the recommendations that we have been calling for with the DOJ and the Administration. The interests of state and local governments in managing their own affairs must be protected and there needs to be a limitation to the duration and scope of federal consent decrees to which state and local governments are party.
Join Us for NAPO’s 47th Annual Convention
July 20 – 23, 2025
Arizona Biltmore Resort
Join us for NAPO’s 47th Annual Convention. Participate in setting NAPO’s legislative priorities for the 119th Congress. Learn from presentations by prominent law enforcement figures about the latest developments in police policies and services and help determine NAPO’s path forward by participating in the election of NAPO’s Leadership.
The 47th Annual Convention will be held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix. The iconic Arizona Biltmore, built in 1929, is a historic landmark and the only Frank Lloyd Wright influenced resort in the world. The Resort offers stunning views of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and has everything needed for a perfect week:
7 Spectacular Pools Including Adult Only Pool and Family Pool with 65’ Water Slide
2 PGA Golf Courses – Tennis, Pickleball Courts – Trails and Bikes
Tierra Luna Full-Service Spa
Many Upscale Restaurants, Lounges and Pool Bars
Very Special Thanks to Darrell Kriplean and the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association for sponsoring many of the convention’s events. Without their financial support and tireless efforts, many of the events simply would not have been possible!
For more information and to register, please visit www.napo.org/convention25
Tax Section of Reconciliation Package Includes
No Tax on Overtime
In the early morning hours of May 22, the House of Representatives passed Republicans’ One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act, the reconciliation package that will extent President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, add additional tax cuts, increase funding for defense and border security, and make significant cuts to federal spending. The bill passed by a narrow margin of 215-214.
The reconciliation package includes several tax provisions that would impact NAPO members, including: no tax on overtime pay (with a pay cap), an increase in the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, and an end to de minimis treatment for all low-value commercial shipments.
The no tax on overtime provision makes overtime pay an above-the-line deduction for eligible individuals. To qualify for this tax benefit, an individual must be eligible for overtime pay under Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act and not make more than $160,000 in 2025. The pay cap increases yearly with inflation and is based off of the IRS’s definition of “highly compensated employee”. This tax deduction is temporary and will be allowed for tax years 2025-2028.
The bill also includes an increase in the SALT deduction cap, from the current $10,000 to $40,000. However, it places a cap on the ability of high-income individuals to deduct state and local taxes starting with taxpayers with income over $500,000. The income cap and the deduction grow by one percent every year over ten years and then becomes permanent.
Finally, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act includes language to end de minimis treatment for all low-value commercial shipments effective July 1, 2027. Closing the de minimis loophole for commercial packages will help stop the flow of illicit narcotics coming across our borders and will safeguard the lives of our children, families, and friends.
House passage of the reconciliation bill is another step forward in a long process. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration, and it is expected that the Senate will make significant changes to the House-passed bill. NAPO is closely monitoring the reconciliation package and these tax provisions in particular, as the Senate begins to debate and markup the bill.
Administration Cuts Ties with Cuba Over
Harboring of Fugitives
The U.S. Department of State announced on May 13 that it has certified Cuba as a “not fully cooperating country” for failing to extradite at least 11 fugitives in 2024 to U.S. custody, hampering counterterrorism efforts. Cuba now joins Iran, Syria, Venezuela and North Korea as “not fully cooperating countries”, or NFCCs. This certification will result in the prohibition on the sale or license for export of defense services to Cuba.
The move by the Administration to label Cuba as a NFCC comes after NAPO President Mick McHale sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 26 urging him to seek by all means the immediate return of Joanne Chesimard and William Morales – and other violent fugitives who have escaped justice – from Cuba. NAPO has long called for the extradition of these cop-killers and violent felons, across numerous Administrations. We thank Secretary Rubio for heeding our call and taking this important step towards finally bringing these fugitives to justice.
Joanne Chesimard is the only woman on the FBI’s most wanted terrorist list for her role in the cold-blooded execution-style murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973. William Morales, a bomb maker for the militant FALN, is responsible for the tragic bombing of Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan in 1975 as well as numerous other FALN bombings that killed and maimed scores of victims, including three New York City Detectives.
The fact that Chesimard and Morales – and violent fugitives like them – are living free in Cuba is an affront to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our communities as law enforcement officers – above all to the family and friends of police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Joanne Chesimard has been living a free life in Cuba since 1984 and Morales since 1988, while families of their victims have been suffering without closure for nearly 50 years. NAPO will continue to urge this Administration do everything in its power to ensure the rendition of Joanne Chesimard, William Morales, and other violent fugitives from Cuba to ensure that those who commit violent, heinous crimes face justice, and that the families of those who lost their lives are brought peace.
NAPO-Endorsed Nominee for U.S. Marshals Director Advances in Senate
On May 22, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nomination of Gadyaces “Gady” Serralta to be the Director of the United States Marshals Service. NAPO endorsed Mr. Serralta’s nomination on the recommendation of our member organizations, the South Florida Police Benevolent Association and the Florida Police Benevolent Association, who have worked closely with Mr. Serralta throughout his career.
Mr. Serralta currently serves as the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Florida, a position he has held since 2018, and has earned bipartisan praise for his work. Prior to being appointed U.S. Marshal, he had a distinguished 28-year career with the Miami-Dade Police Department, rising through the ranks to retire as a major. His service as a police officer and then as a leading federal agent gives him a unique and invaluable understanding of what is needed to keep our country and its communities safe.
We believe it is a true leader who gains the support of the rank-and-file. We are confident that as Director of the U.S Marshals Service, Mr. Serralta will be a real partner to state and local law enforcement in our nation’s fight against violent crime. We look forward to seeing Mr. Serralta quickly confirmed by the Senate.
COPS Office Grant Announcements
COPS Hiring Program (CHP)
The 2025 COPS Hiring Program is a competitive grant program designed to provide funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire existing career law enforcement officers and to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. All local, state, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies that have primary law enforcement authority are eligible to apply. Up to $156 million is available for this program.
Applications are due by July 1, 2025 at 4:59 PM ET. Please click here for more information on the 2025 COPS Hiring Program.
Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program
The 2025 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act program funds the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services, training, and programming for employees of law enforcement agencies and their families through the implementation of peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, stress reduction, clinical support, and other promising practices for wellness programs. The 2025 LEMHWA program will fund projects that increase law enforcement agency capacity to:
- Provide mental health and wellness training and resources for employees of law enforcement agencies and their families.
- Implement peer support networks for crisis and non-crisis circumstances.
- Address and reduce the stigma associated with officer mental health and wellness by supporting the implementation of mental health education and development of resources.
All local, state, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies that have primary law enforcement authority are eligible to apply. Up to $9.8 million is available for this program. Applications are due by June 30, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET. Please click here for more information on the 2025 LEMHWA Program.
COPS Blue Alert Program
The COPS Office administers the National Blue Alert Network, a voluntary nationwide system to give authorities an early warning of threats against law enforcement and to aid in the apprehension of suspects who have killed or seriously injured an officer or deputy. The 2025 COPS Blue Alert Program seeks applications from organizations to support the COPS Office with coordinating the Blue Alert system. The primary objectives of the cooperative agreement to be funded are to expand awareness of the Blue Alert system through efforts that educate and inform non-Blue Alert states of the Blue Alert Network and develop monthly summaries of Blue Alert activations throughout the country, including highlighting accounts of heroism by law enforcement surrounding Blue Alert events. Approximately $150,000 is available for this program.
Applications are due by June 30, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET. Please click here for more information on the 2025 COPS Blue Alert program.
COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP)
The 2025 COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program is a competitive grant program that advances public safety by providing funds directly to state law enforcement agencies to investigate illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. Up to $16 million is available for this program.
Applications are due by July 2, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET. Please click here for more information on the 2025 COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program.
Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program
The 2025 Anti-Heroin Task Force program is a competitive grant program that assists state law enforcement agencies in states with high per capita rates of primary treatment admissions for both heroin and other opioids. AHTF funds must be used for investigative purposes to locate or investigate illicit activities through statewide collaboration related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, or other opioids, or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids. Up to $35 million is available for this program.
Applications are due by July 2, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET. Please click here for more information on the 2025 Anti-Heroin Task Force program.
Safer Outcomes: Enhancing De-Escalation and Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement
Safer Outcomes funds are used to promote training on de-escalation and crisis response for law enforcement officers, support personnel employed by law enforcement agencies, and mental health professionals working on crisis intervention teams as employees of a law enforcement agency or under a legal agreement with a law enforcement agency. Supported training programs must address one or more of the following areas of focus: de-escalation tactics and alternatives to use of force; safely responding to an individual experiencing a mental or behavioral health or suicidal crisis; safe encounters with individuals with disabilities; successfully participating on a crisis intervention team; and making referrals to community-based services and support. Approximately $18 million is available for this program.
Applications are due by June 30, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET. Please click here for more information on the 2025 Safer Outcomes program.
Legislation to Reauthorize COPS Program Introduced
NAPO pledged our support for two bills that would reauthorize our top priority grant program, the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program: the COPS Reauthorization Act, sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representative Josh Harder (D-CA), and the More Funding for COPS Act, sponsored by Representatives Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Pat Ryan (D-NY).
The COPS Program has not been reauthorized since 2006, but thankfully, Congress recognizes the vital importance of the resources and grant funding provided by COPS to state and local law enforcement and continues to appropriate funding for the program.
NAPO strongly supports a clean reauthorization of the COPS Program, which houses many initiatives that we were instrumental in enacting into law, including the COPS Hiring Program, the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act and the Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis Act programs, the National Blue Alert Network, expanded access to active shooter training through the POLICE Act, and activities authorized by the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act.
We thank Senator Klobuchar and Representatives Harder, Nunn, and Ryan for their efforts to ensure state and local law enforcement continue to have access to the funding, resources, and support needed to protect our communities and our officers.
Special Thanks to Our TOP COP Sponsors
CORPORATE SPONSORS
PLATINUM
EMPOWER RETIREMENT ● NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS
GOLD
ALTRIA ● BLUE LADDER MARKETING ● CITIZEN WATCH AMERICA
FIRSTNET BUILT WITH AT&T ● LEXISNEXIS RISK SOLUTIONS
SILVER
ATLAS PRIVACY ● BLEEDING BLUE INC. ● COREBRIDGE FINANCIAL
HUNTSINGER AND JEFFER, INC. ● LAW FIRM OF ALEX DELL
RICOCHET SYSTEMS ● SPECTRUM ADVISORY GROUP
LAW ENFORCEMENT SPONSORS
PLATINUM
Florida Police Benevolent Association
GOLD
Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs
Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association
Chicago Police Sergeants’ Association
Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
Detectives’ Endowment Association of New York City
Detroit Police Lieutenants & Sergeants Association
Detroit Police Officers Association
Las Vegas Metro Police Managers & Supervisors Association
Las Vegas Police Protective Association
Los Angeles Police Protective League
Massachusetts Coalition of Police
Mesa Police Association
New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association
Newark Police Superior Officers’ Association
Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association
Phoenix Law Enforcement Association
Police Benevolent Association of The City of New York
Port Authority Police Benevolent Association
Port Authority Sergeants Benevolent Association
Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York City
South Florida Police Benevolent Association
State Troopers NCO Association of New Jersey
Syracuse Police Benevolent Association
Wisconsin Professional Police Association
BRONZE
Nassau County Superior Officers Association
Postal Police Officers Association
Rochester Police Locust Club