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International Union of Police Associations

Page 2 Police Union News

This is YOUR Newsletter!Do you have a photo or story you would like to share with the entire I.U.P.A. Membership? An officer you want to honor with special recognition? Is your Local opening a new facility or celebrating

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newsletter.

Call us at 1-800-247-4872 or email to: [email protected]

Table of Contents:

A Message from the President.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4-5

Dollars & Sense: IRS I dentity Theft.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6-7

Washington Report.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8-10

The Mental Health Fraud... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 12-13

Body Cam Video Legislation... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 15-16

Officers Memorial Fund... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 18

Los Alamos Police Settle Major Contract.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 19

Quill & Badge Awards... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 20-21

Taser Use Restricted by U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 22

American Police Beat Magazine... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 23

Homes for Heroes... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 24-25

I nt e r n at i o n a l P r e s i d e ntSam A. Cabral

S e c r e t a r y - Tr e a s u r e rJohn E. O’Keefe

Execut ive B oard MembersChristopher TracyJason AckermanTony Ragsdale

T i m E a r l y Mike Crivel loDan Wagner

C h r i s N a s s i fJeremy Kevitt

Sean CorcoranChristopher Quick

Hugh CameronJ i m To r s a k

J o r g e L . M e n d e z C o t t o

E d i t o r i n C h i e fSam A. Cabral

A s s i s t a n t E d i t o rAlina D. Johns

G r ap h i c D e s i g n e rKevin P. Pomante

Cover Photo Credit:nleomf.org


A Message from the PresidentSam A. Cabral, International President


Over the past 30 years, we at International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO have consistently been the front runner for the law enforcement community through our services for our Members in areas such as Legislative, Research, Legal, and Member Benefits. Through these programs, we en-hance and protect our Members and their Families.

In August, we will be hosting our 21st International Convention in Tucson, Arizona at the Hilton El Conquistador Hotel on August 24-27, 2016. It is at this convention that we will host Local Leaders from around the Country where we will highlight not only our accomplishments over the past four years since our last convention, but we will set the agenda and tone for our International for the years to come with the input of our Membership from around the Country. We are very excited to be hosting a vast array of speakers and exhibitors from around the Country which includes: Mr. Craig Floyd, CEO and President of the National Law En-forcement Officers Memorial Fund and the Nation-al Law Enforcement Museum; Mr. David A. Clarke, Jr., outspoken National Law Enforcement Advo-cate and Sheriff of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; Mr. Chris Kahmke, Development Director at the Concerns of Police Survivors; and exhibitors that include our Member Benefits Program Partners such as Union Plus; Homes for Heroes; Working America; and the Alliance for Retired Americans.

In striving to always stay ahead of the trend, espe-cially given the IT driven climate that we live in, I have directed I.U.P.A. General Counsel’s Office to combine its resources with the Research and Politi-cal Departments to create a conference in which our Local Leaders and the Attorneys that represent

I.U.P.A. Locals from around the Country can join together and have the dialogue to determine and learn from each other all aspects surrounding Body Camera implementation and what the Unions and Associations that protect Law Enforcement Officers need to know in protecting our Members.

The topics of the Conference include policy review; departmental costs for implementation as well as data storage and retrieval; and Contract and MOU Language that is necessary to ensure our officers have a clear understanding as to what is expected of them. One particular panel will include Depart-ments that have implemented the Body Cameras and lessons they have learned from being the first departments to do so such as having a clear under-standing that officers should be notified in advance of releasing video footage before it is turned over in a public information request as well as following HIPAA Law so that video can be released legally. In addition, we will wrap up the Conference among the Local Leaders and Attorneys with a review and discussion of Social Media and how it impacts the jobs and lives of I.U.P.A. and the Law Enforcement Community. This is so crucial, as we see stories in the news everyday on this subject and more times than not, an officer is disciplined for release of statements on Social Media so we must have a clear understanding as to what is acceptable and what is not so that each of our Members understand the implications even for the most innocent actions on their part.

The 2016 Body Camera Conference for I.U.P.A. Local Leaders and National Attorneys will include such speakers as: Mr. Michael White, Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at


Fraternally,

International President


Arizona State University; Mr. Burt Springer, National Expert on Rep-resentation of Officers in Critical Incidents and General Counsel for the Harris County Deputies Orga-nization and for the Texas Union of Police and Sheriffs; Ms. Deborah Godwin, National Speaker on So-cial Media Representation for First Responders; and International’s General Counsel, Kevin Boyle. In addition, the Conference’s lun-cheon will be hosted by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s National Labor Office’s Executive Direc-tor, Mrs. Bonnie Summers and the speaker will be Dr. Andrea Auxier, a National Expert on Post Traumat-ic Stress Disorder and how it affects the Law Enforcement Community. Together, by combining the partici-pants of the Conference with the Speakers, our goal is to set the tone nationally for our Members.

In addition, we will also be remem-bering those that we have lost in our Law Enforcement Community over the past 4 years as well as since our Organization was established. As you are all aware, together, this year alone, we have had to join together to mourn the tragic loss of our Officers that have been killed and injured in the line-of-duty. From our beloved brothers and sis-ters in Harford County, Maryland,

to Salt Lake County, Utah, we still continue to grieve with their fami-lies and friends. It is for these of-ficers that we not only continue our remembrance of them, but that we continue to seek out further Leg-islation on the State and National Level to ensure that any person that harms a Law Enforcement Officer will be held accountable and we will work hard to fight the parole of any such person that has committed an act against our Brothers and Sisters. As part of our remembrance of the loss of our I.U.P.A. Membership, I have ordered through United States Senator Bill Nelson’s Office that a Flag be flown over the United States Capital in Honor of those killed in the line-of-duty. It is this U.S. Flag that will be used to open the 2016 International Convention and be presented by the Oro Valley City Police Department Honor Guard on Thursday, August 25, 2016.

I look forward to welcoming all Delegates, Alternates, and Visitors at our 21st International Conven-tion in Tucson and for those of you that are unable to attend, I look forward to updating you on the convention proceedings.

What is tax-related identity theft?

Generally, an identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number or other personal information to open new accounts and make purchases. Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen Social Security number/SSN to file a tax return and claim a fraudulent refund. Identity thieves will generally use the SSN to file a false return early in the year. Victims may be unaware of this issue until they try to file taxes and find out that one has already been filed using their SSN. Thieves also may use stolen Employer Identification Numbers to create false Forms W-2 to support or fund fraud schemes. This creates challenges to individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies as the process can be frustrating.

Warning signs:

Be alert if you receive an IRS notice or letter that states: More than one tax return was filed using your SSN;• You owe additional tax, refund offset, or have had collection actions taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return;• IRS records indicate you received wages from an employer

unknown to you.

Watch out for these possible scams:

• An unexpected email purporting to be from the IRS is always a scam. Forward the email to [email protected].• An unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be an IRS agent, either threatening you with arrest or deportation if you fail to pay immediately, is a scam. In another variation, the caller requests your financial information in order to send you a refund.

Report these calls and other IRS impersonation schemes to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.

If you discover a website that claims to be the IRS but does not begin with www.irs.gov, forward the link to [email protected].

How to prevent tax-related identity theft:

• Do not carry around your Social Security card or any documents with your SSN on it.• Do not give a business your SSN just because they ask - only when absolutely necessary.• Protect your personal financial information at home and on your computer.• Check your credit report annually.• Check your Social Security Administration earnings statement annually.• Protect your personal computers by using firewalls, anti-spam/ virus software, update security patches, and change passwords for Internet accounts.• Do not give personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have either initiated the

contact or are sure you know who is asking.• Remember that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers

by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels.

IRS Identity TheftThe following information is provided by our accounting firm, May & Barnhard, PC and through the Financial

Planning Association.


Dollars & Sense John E. O’Keefe, International Secretary-Treasurer


Victims - What Should You Do?

• File a report with the local police with a Government- issued ID with a photo and other proof of your identity and address. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov and www.identitytheft.gov or call: 1-877-438-4338.• Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a ‘fraud alert’ on your credit records.• Respond immediately to any IRS notice; call the number provided.• Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit. Use a fillable form at IRS.gov, print, then mail or fax according to instructions. Include proof of your identity, like a copy of your Social Security card, driver’s license, or passport.• If you are a victim, the IRS will assign a 6 digit IP PIN to include on your federal return to avoid delays in processing your return. If you filed a federal tax return in 2014 from Florida, Georgia, or the District of Columbia the IRS is offering the Identity Protection Pin to all taxpayers. Taxpayers who wish to take advantage of this opportunity for additional filing protection should visit www.irs.gov/getanippin.• Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper.

Things to remember:

• Always write down who you contacted and when! Keep copies of any letters you send.

Important contact information:

• Internal Revenue Service: 1-800-829-1040

• Identity Protection Specialized Unit: 1-800-908-4490 (for people who previously contacted the IRS and did not have a resolution.)

• IRS Identity Theft Department: 1-800-829-8374

• Federal Trade Commission: 1-877-438-4338

• Social Security Administration to Report Fraud: 1-800-269-0271


Dollars & Sense John E. O’Keefe, International Secretary-Treasurer

IRS Identity Theft ContinuedThe following information is provided by our accounting firm, May & Barnhard, PC and through the Financial

Planning Association.


It is a chaotic time in Washington, with the Presidential nomination process in full swing, the death of Supreme Court Justice Scalia, and the lame duck presidency. This year has, thus far, been a gun deadly one for the brave men and women of law enforcement. Comparing January 1st – March 14th Line of Duty Deaths, looks like this: (from the National Law Enforcement Memorial research)January 1st through March 14th, 2016 vs. January 1st through March 14th, 2015. Sadly, these numbers will be incomplete by the time this article is printed.

2016 2015 % ChangeTotal Fatalities 21 24 -13%Firearms-related 13 4 +225%Traffic-related 7 11 -36%Other Causes 1 9 -89%

2016 Fatalities by State

Colorado 3 Maryland 3 California 2 Illinois 2 Florida 1 Georgia 1 Mississippi 1 New Jersey 1 North Dakota 1 Ohio 1 Oregon 1 Texas 1 Utah 1 Virginia 1

Use of force issues are being brought to the forefront with the use of cell phone cameras, YouTube, and other social media. Politicians and chiefs of police are being pressured to reduce the use of force and are taking steps to assuage the small bloc of people who either believe or pretend to believe that law enforcement officers con-stantly abuse their power and use unnecessary force, especially in minority communities. It is a “through the looking glass” moment for all of us.

The president sent emissaries to the funeral of a man who robbed a local store and attacked a Police Officer. Seven Police Officers were shot to death in a one week period and there was silence from the White House. In the meantime, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) published “Thirty Guiding Principles” regard-ing the use of force. Many were poorly thought out and contrary to law and legal precedent. One, particularly disturbing, suggested that Police Officers facing a physi-cal threat to the public or to themselves, consider how their actions will be perceived by “the public” when making a split second decision on how to respond. Our question to PERF would be, “which public”? The public that rates Police Offices as more trusted than politi-cians?

In a Gallup poll conducted in December 2015, Police Officers were believed, by the “public” to be more honest and ethical than any profession save Nurses, Pharmacists, medical Doctors, and High School Teachers. Their chart is shown on the following page:

Washington Report Dennis Slocumb, Legislative Director

Page 8 Police Union News Page 9 Police Union News

I believe we are paying far too much attention to fringe groups who are making noise, influencing politicians and police leadership in a far greater proportion than their numbers deserve and in so doing, are ignoring those who want assertive, proactive police work that preemptively removes predators from our neighbourhoods.

The “safe” thing to do is relax, answer calls, and write reports. That will not stop the slaughter in our inner city neighborhoods. We maintain that, when facing a life or death decision in a fluid and violent situation, the ONLY thing that a Police Officer should consider is how to safely stop the threat to themselves or others. Public perception

will align with the quality of that decision and its out-come. We will never satisfy the fringe groups who cele-brate the death of our brothers and sisters, even calling for it in the streets. They should never be considered in our decision making process.

No one would deny that Police Officers make mistakes. We all know too, that we have hired some who should never have had the privilege to wear a badge. Part of the blame can be put on lowering standards to meet imposed quotas on hiring. Some can be blamed on shrinking budg-ets for paying, training, and equipping our troops; and some of it the result of human error. That said, our profes-sion in large measure is honourable, vigilant, and ethical. We can take heart in the fact that every hour of every day, police are dispatched to the most vile, emotional, and violent events. Nearly always, they handle these happen-ings without public note. When there is a problem, it makes news. The reason it makes news is that it so seldom happens.

Criminal Liability:We are seeing greater efforts to pursue criminal sanctions against Police Officers who have been involved in deadly incidents. In some cases, these charges are being brought to satisfy and silence the vocal anti-police crowd who are being pandered to by the politicians. Even when justice ferrets out the truth of the encounter and the officer is found to have done the right thing, these officers have been financially ruined. Their reputation, their family, and their livelihood has been destroyed. It is a sad time.

I.U.P.A.’s Legal Defense Fund provides full coverage, with-out cap or co-pay for all criminal or civil issues arising out of any event occurring in the “course and scope” of duty. If your local doesn’t have it, you are rolling the dice.


Please tell me how you rate honesty and ethical standards of people in these different fields - very high, high, average, low or very low?

% Very high/High

85

68

67

60

56

45

44

39

27

25

21

20

18

17

13

10

8

8

8

25

7

Nurses

Pharmacists

Medical doctors

High school teachers

Police officers

Clergy

Funeral directors

Accountants

Journalists

Bankers

Building contractors

Lawyers

Real estate agents

Labor union leaders

Business executives

Stockbrokers

Advertising practitioners

Car salespeople

Telemarketers

Members of Congress

Lobbyists



Fight Back

Elections are the perfect time to hold elected officials accountable for their activities. Police groups are frequently asked for theirendorsements. Interview candidates, record the interviews. Demand their backing and support. Tell them you will be watching their votes and public statements. While no elected official is going to be in alignment with us on all issues, and we acknowledge that, on core values, there is no compromise.

What those core values are depends on each of your Members. The IUPA never requires any of our Locals to make or not make endorse-ments. IUPA Locals are autonomous. While we will make endorsements in some federal elec-tions, we will generally stay out of Local issues unless asked for assistance or support from one of our Locals.

Social Media is a great way to get the word out about life-saving events, off duty activities of your members, property recovery, or a violent incident handled in a manner that protected your community. These are the types of events that should be featured on your web pages, tweets, or whatever framework your Local uses to communicate with the public you serve. IUPA will always help with your web page. You need only ask.

Until next time, stay safe.


Founded in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is dedicated to honoring and remem-bering the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers in the United States.

A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Washington, DC, the Memorial Fund built and continues to maintain the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial - the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The Memorial Fund is a principal organizer of the National Police Week observance each May and hosts a Candlelight Vigil at the Memorial each May 13th to honor all fallen officers. In addition, the Fund maintains the largest, most comprehensive database of line-of-duty officer deaths, conducts research into officer fatality trends and issues, and serves as an information clearinghouse.

More recently, the Memorial Fund has launched a campaign to build the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum, adjacent to the Memorial in Washington, DC. The Museum will tell the story of American law enforce-ment through exhibits, collections, research and education.

To learn more about the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund please visit:

www.nleomf.org


National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund - Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund

Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund

On October 19th 2015, we held the 5th annual Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund Golf Classic again at the scenic Longboat Key Club Harbourside Course, in Sarasota, FL. It was a huge success! The Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund was created to provide support and resources to officers and their family members who have suffered loss as a result of disaster, violence, injury, or any other calamity. This year we had over 150 golf-ers participate in this great event!

We would like to thank all of the participants and sponsors that made this event an exceptional success. The 6th annual Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund Golf Classic will be held at the TPC Prestancia Club in Sarasota, FL and is scheduled for October 17th, 2016. Reserve your spot today!

Currently, the call across the country is to provide training to Police Officers so that they can recognize Mental Health issues and deal with them during crisis situations. This is just the latest offloading of society’s problems onto the backs of law enforcement. Like Body Cams, Mental Health training is an easy sounding, quick fix.

There is a Mental Health crisis in this country. Some of the symptoms are easy to spot. The huge increase in the homeless population in our cities is one. Other saymptoms are more hidden in the suburbs and rural areas.

The roots of what we face now go back to a movement in Mental Health treatment that sounded good, promised much, and turned out to be a cynical fraud. The Deinstitutualization Movement came out of investigative reporting into deplorable conditions at some of the large Mental Health hospitals. Geraldo Rivera’s expose of the conditions at Willowbrook Hospital on Long Island gained national attention.

Traditionally, Mental Health patients were treated as patients in large hospitals. Some patients spent most of their lives behind locked doors. These patients had been committed to the custody of these institutions either voluntarily or involuntarily. Fairfield Hills Hospital, a sprawling multi-building facility in Newtown, Connecticut is an example. The 1975 film “One Flew Over The Coo Coo’s Nest” used the wards and hallways of Fairfield Hills for its interior scenes.

Beginning in the Kennedy administration, there was concern over what appeared to be unjust confinement of Mentally Ill Patients. The Mental Health Community’s response was to advocate for Community-Based Health Care rather than the reliance on the large residential hospitals. “Treatment in the least restrictive setting” became the slogan of the movement. The goal was to move patients to their communities rather than have them locked up. Community-Based Health Care, housing, and other Social Services would be available to help the patients in their transition into the community at large and treatment would be ongoing.

Only the first half of the equation was accomplished. The big hospitals were closed, eliminating thousands of treatment spots. The Community-Based support was so underfunded that it was washed away in the flood as newly released patients descended on the cities. Most of the patients did not return

The Mental Health Fraud


Your Legal BriefingKevin Boyle, I.U.P.A. General Counsel


Your Legal Briefing Kevin Boyle, I.U.P.A. General Counsel

to the communities they came from. Most of them wound up in the cities.

Patients who should have remained in restrictive settings for their own safety and that of others joined the flood of those released into the community. Beds for those that needed to be placed in long term settings disappeared.

In the early eighties, I worked as a housing advocate for a Bridgeport, Connecticut Mental Health Service. Each After Care Case Worker was far over the limit of patients they were supposed to handle. The Service told Fairfield Hills that they could no longer accept referrals for the patients it was releasing. Fairfield Hills simply began to put patients on a bus to Bridgeport with the address of the facility in their pockets. They would show up at the front door and be turned away to fend for themselves. There were far more patients being released into the community than there were services to help them. The situation has only gotten worse with the passage of time.

In light of the Police Executive Research Forum’s 30 Guiding Principles, it has become clear that society now wishes to offload the responsibility for Mental Health Crisis Care onto local Police Departments. This now goes hand in hand with the expectation that local Police Forces are expected to be the first line of detection and defense against Terrorists and the front line on the War against Drugs.

PERF’s 30 Principles amount to a disarmament

of Law Enforcement Officers who are expected to face danger on a daily basis. PERF’s principles regarding Mental Illness represent a fantasy world in which Mental Health Treatment and Professionals are readily available at a moment’s notice.

Body Cams are being pushed as an easy solution to a perceived problem. Now PERF’s recommendations on handling Mental Health issues in Critical Incidents may have the public believing that this crisis can also be fixed with no cost to society.


The United States Justice Department announced last year that it is providing money to fund body worn camera programs. Departments across the U.S. have jumped onboard and as is true with anything new, there have been complications. Some of these complications have prompted recent legislation to restrict or reduce public records requests for recordings taken by body worn cameras.

Most states grant access to videos to those who appear within them. Kansas has such a law, requiring a court order for all others. Discretion to release videos can be used by law enforcement for individuals who are not in the videos as well. Florida allows body cam videos to “be used for criminal purposes if they are available upon request,” excepting when there is a “reasonable expectation of privacy” regarding what the video has captured.

Arizona has a strict policy. Records are only released if public interest “outweighs the interest of privacy or confidentiality or the best interests of the state.” Lawmakers cite as their cause the possibility that footage could be posted online, possibly maliciously. Arizona is not alone in their concern over unanticipated issues with body worn cameras such as internet applications. Tremendous manpower is required to keep up with requests and many are concerned about the anonymity of witnesses and privacy concerns.

Less legislation limiting access to footage also bears merit. It allows for more transparency, to aid law enforcement in their work and to enhance public trust in law enforcement. Some proponents of less body worn camera legislation suggest editing footage to protect the identities of those who wish to be anonymous or who might be harmed if seen in the footage. Others suggest that editing footage might damage the public’s trust in law enforcement, that not editing footage at all reduces the likelihood that citizens will think that footage might be altered for other less scrupulous reasons. Both sides of this debate bear thought provoking and important points.


Body Cam Video Legislation


Where Technology Meets LegislationRegulation of Body Worn Camera Evidence

by State:

States that have passed legislation on the proper use of body worn cameras:

States that are in the process of passing legislation for the use of body worn cameras:

States that restrict public access to body worn camera evidence:

States that do not restrict public access to body worn camera evidence:

WA

WA

CA

CA

TX

TX

KS MOIN OH

PA

VT

NH

MA

TN NC

GA

FL

KS MOIN OH

PA

VT

NH

MA

TN NC

GA

FL

OR

NVUT IL

SC

VA MD

NJ

CT

OR

NVUT IL

SC

VA MD

NJ

CT


The Los Alamos Police Association Local #14, a unit of the International Union of Police Associations (I.U.P.A.,) successfully negotiated an outstanding contract with the County of Los Alamos. The fact that the contract was unanimously approved by officers in the unit is a clear indication of the quality of the agreement.

Commenting on the successful negotiations, Monica Salazar-Casias President of the Los Alamos Police Association Local #14 said “When we ratified the contract it was a 25-0 vote. I think we have presented a united front to the County. This is proof of what can be accomplished when parties negotiate in good faith.”

The contract will provide the officers with a superior grievance process so that if an officer feels they have not been treated fairly under the terms of the contract, they can move through the chain of command to have their grievance heard in a timely manner. In addition, employees can only be disciplined for cause with any disciplinary actions clearly defined.

When placing officers on a seniority list, those hired on the same date would be given seniority status based on their overall police academy scores. This is a process that the officers consider the fairest way to determine seniority.

Shift schedules will have sergeants bidding for shifts prior to the officers putting in their bids. The sergeants’ schedules will be posted prior to officers and corporals bidding. Since most officers seek shifts according to which shift a particular sergeant is on and not what time of day or night the shift occurs. The officers consider this was a big plus and will foster closer teamwork between them and the immediate

supervisor. Also officers are allowed one hour on shift to work out, provided there are enough officers to cover needed areas and patrol assignments. This will ensure that officers will maintain the kind of physical conditioning that is so critical to police work.

A new pay scale has been created to include step increases in which officers all are paid on an equal basis according to their professional standing within the department. Under the new plan, officers will now be compensated for Associates, Bachelors, and Masters Degrees by moving up two steps in the scale per degree. The average percentage increase is about 10% per officer with some going as high as 25% in order to make up for past inequities by the County. In order to provide an additional incentive to enhance officer performance, they are now guaranteed a two-step increase in July 2017 and July 2018 if they demonstrate that they have met departmental expectations on their yearly evaluations, and three steps if they are considered to have exceeded expectations.

Under the new contract, officers will be compensated for performing such extra duties as firearms instructors, certified bomb technicians, crash team members, hostage negotiators, TACT team members, drug recognition experts, field training officer coordinators, fleet managers, key operators, and bilingual services. If an officer is responsible for instructing, having a trainee assigned to them, or fulfilling the role of acting sergeant, they will also receive an additional one dollar an hour while they complete the additional duties. Finally, the uniform allowance increased from taxable $500 every two years, to a $400 a year non-taxable stipend.


Los Alamos Police Settle Major ContractRich Roberts, I.U.P.A. P.I.O.


Page 16 Police Union News Page 17 Police Union News

Taser Use Restricted by U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recent-ly chose to address Taser use by law enforce-ment and determine when Taser use is lawful. The court concluded that Taser use is only lawful when employed against someone who is “an immediate safety risk” to others. This decision mirrors other previous decisions that the court has made about other police weapons when used against non-violent indi-viduals. The court held that Tasers, like other police weapons, can be a disproportionate use of force.

The issue came to the court’s attention when Police Officers were sued for unconstitu-tional use of excessive force on behalf of the Armstrong estate. Ronald H. Armstrong was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He left a hospital where his doctor had signed involuntary commitment

papers and was located by police. When told about the commitment papers, Armstrong wrapped his arms and legs around a pole.

To extricate Armstrong from the pole, the officers Tased him over five times within a two minute time frame, physically pulled him from the post, laid Armstrong face down, and handcuffed his arms and legs. When they flipped Armstrong over, they discovered that he was not breathing and were unable to revive him. The court held that the of-ficers in this case had qualified immunity as this was “an evolving field of law” at the time, but going forwards “Law enforcement officers should now be on notice” that Taser use is only constitutional when used against someone who is “an immediate safety risk” to others.

Police Union Announces 2015 Quill & Badge Awards QUILL & BADGE AWARDS


The Quill & Badge Awards

The relationship between law enforcement officers and members of the press is too often adversarial. Equally often, the popular fictional media fails to depict the day to day lives of police officers in a realistic fashion. Despite this, many working communication professionals do provide accurate accounts of the men and women responsible for public safety. The International Union of Police Associations and the Institute for Police Research has instituted the Quill & Badge Award in recognition of the men and women of the media who do their jobs in the same committed manner as their counterparts in law enforcement.

Founded in 1995 with a single recipient, The Quill & Badge Award has since gone to individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to the law enforcement community through their commitment to excellence in communication. This annual award recognizes journalists and others who have written or produced information for the general public that provides an accurate picture of the men and women dedicated to careers in law enforcement.

I.U.P.A. seeks submissions from throughout the country for each year’s awards. Judging is conducted by three former police officers and one professional with journalism credentials. The criteria includes clarity and accuracy, the ability to interest the public in the message, and the potential for affecting a positive change in the public attitude toward law enforcement.

International Union of Police Associations and it’s educational division, the Institute for Police Research, is the nation’s only AFL-CIO chartered union exclusively for law enforcement personnel. The I.U.P.A. and I.P.R. represent federal, state, and local police officers, deputy sheriffs, corrections officers and law enforcement support employees throughout the United States and internationally.

For an application and more detailed information, contact:

Rich Roberts

Public Information OfficerInternational Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO

1549 Ringling Blvd. - 6th FloorSarasota, Florida 34236-6772

Ph. 941-487-2560Fax 941-487-2570Cell 941-586-3658

Email [email protected]

Bob Schieffer of CBS’s Face the Nation and Greta Van Susteren of Fox News On the Record have both been given the prestigious Quill & Badge Award for Excellence in Communication from the International Union of Police Associations for their work in 2015. Mr. Schieffer’s April 19 broadcast, “Don’t Overlook the Good Cops.” was especially important, coming at a time when police officers were being viciously and unfairly attacked by the media throughout the country.

Schieffer urges viewers to carefully consider the countless times law enforcement officers exhibit consideration for the needs of citizens in the communities they serve and more importantly the sacrifices they and their families make on a daily basis while fulfilling their sworn duty.

In a letter from Sam A. Cabral, I.U.P.A. President, congratulating him on his accomplishment Schieffer was told, “Your broadcast was deeply appreciated by all of us for its insight into the daily risks and sacrifices made by law enforcement officers throughout the country.”

Later that year on August 31, Greta Van Susteren in her Fox News segment On the Record aired “Honor, overshadowed by grief of cops’ families” with the walls of the National Law Enforcement Memorial in the background. This marked the second time in a year that a major television personality honored law enforcement officers and their families to counter the knee jerk criticism coming from too many of their media colleagues.

Once again, I.U.P.A. President Cabral praised her work saying, “Your thoughtful concern for law enforcement officers and their families is deeply appreciated by all those who serve and the families that care for them.”

The Quill & Badge Award was launched in 1995 when it was first awarded to Gary Wordlaw, News Director for WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. Mr. Wordlaw had instituted a weekly segment in the prime time six o’clock news called Good Cop. Working directly with the public information officers in a broad variety of law enforcement agencies throughout the entire metropolitan area, a cameraman was assigned to follow an officer on the beat recording the officer’s interaction with community members. There was no reporter involved. Instead, the video was edited to show a positive relationship between the officer and the citizens on his or her beat.

The creation of the award stemmed from I.U.P.A.’s recognition that the relationship between law enforcement officers and members of the press is too often adversarial. Equally often, the popular fictional media fails to depict the day to day lives of police officers in a realistic fashion. Despite this, many working communications professionals do provide accurate accounts of the men and women responsible for public safety. I. U. P. A. instituted the Quill & Badge Award in recognition of the men and women of the media who do their jobs in the same committed manner as their counterparts in law enforcement. Since then, fifty-five people have won awards.

I.U.P.A. seeks submissions from throughout the country for each year’s awards. Judging is conducted by three former law enforcement officers and one person with professional journalism credentials. The criteria include clarity and accuracy, the ability to interest the public in the message, and the potential for a positive change in public attitudes toward law enforcement. I.U.P.A. members are encouraged to recommend specific people for works our members would consider worthy of recognition.

Police Union Announces 2015 Quill & Badge Awards


QUILL & BADGE AWARDS

American Police Beat Magazine


American Police Beat Magazine

American Police Beat magazine is making us an offer we can’t refuse – a free subscription to all I.U.P.A. members. Cynthia Brown, founder and publisher, de-cided that cops weren’t getting adequate or fair coverage and launched the magazine in her basement. Since then, each issue of APB is read by an estimated 220,000 people every month and is now being offered to I.U.P.A. members at no cost to them.

The magazine is written about LEO’s, of-ten by LEO’s, and especially for LEO’s and not only provides the most accurate picture of the law enforcement profession and the men and women who serve, but is also informative as well as often entertaining.

To get your free subscription, print out the attached certificate and either mail it to AMERICAN POLICE BEAT—505 8TH AVE., SUITE 1004, NEW YORK, NY 10018, or fax it to 646-657-0162

APB is also offering free access to its web based-email service. To subscribe, go to their website at APBweb.com. Scroll down to the bottom right of the home page, fill out the form and click on “Subscribe”. You will re-ceive regular emails with the latest stories.

Rich Roberts, PIOInternational Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO

APB offers free subscription for I.U.P.A. Members

International Union of Police Associations has entered into a partnership with the organization Homes for Heroes to provide assistance to law enforcement officers and their families in obtaining affordable hous-ing as well as protect them against foreclo-sure or eviction.

While there are a number of organizations providing services to veterans and military personnel, Homes for Heroes includes law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and emergency medical service personnel in its mission to provide or coordinate financial assistance and housing resources.

According to their website, “. . . the program was created after the tragic events of 9/11 as a ‘Thank you’ to the men and women who have given so much. Heroes across the country register on our website every day looking for the savings. We match them with Homes for Heroes affiliates in their area. Homes for Heroes is now expanding its discounts beyond the home buying and selling process with our Friends of Heroes program.”

The program is collaboration with Real Estate agencies and Mortgage companies headed up by Bill Coleman of WaterStone Mortgage Company and Richard Hitt of Club Realty. When a qualified person pur-chases a home under the program, the real estate company gives the buyer a rebate of 25 per cent of the company’s commission and the Mortgage Company provides anoth-er $500.00 discount on closing costs. The

companies benefit from the positive image it provides them along with the opportunity to increase their sales.

Since then, the Homes for Heroes program has grown to become the Nation’s largest hero savings program, giving back more than 13 million dollars to local heroes throughout the country by offering deep discounts to officers and their families when buying, selling, or refinancing a home.

Explaining his commitment, Coleman said, “As a former Alaska State Trooper, union organizer, and union leader I have the up-most admiration for the AFL-CIO and the officers who serve our communities self-lessly and see the need now more than ever to recognize and show my appreciation in a meaningful way to our local heroes and their families.”

In 2015 alone, the Homes for Heroes Chari-table Foundation assisted more than 115 heroes, preventing eviction or foreclosure in some cases in addition to assisting with first and last month’s rent. The foundation gave


Homes for Heroes


more than $100,000.00 last year to help those who serve or have served. According to Bill Coleman, acting liaison for Homes for Heroes Program and the AFL-CIO, states they are on track to double these numbers in 2016. Sam Cabral, President of the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO, Homes for Heroes new partner, explained the union’s commitment to the program, “Too often the sacrifices made by law enforce-ment personnel in protecting the public go unrecognized, especially in the longer term when assistance is critically needed. Limited salaries, loss of income due to injuries, and other factors often deny them the ability to properly house their families. We are grateful that Homes for Heroes has stepped into the breach.”

The union was originally chartered in 1979 and is the only AFL-CIO chartered labor union that exclusively represents law enforce-ment officers and other support personnel. The more than 100,000 law enforcement per-sonnel (one out of every four eligible) repre-sented by I.U.P.A. are all full time employees of law enforcement agencies, ranging from line officers up to first line supervisors as well as civilian employees. Membership includes officers from agencies throughout the United States and in the Caribbean.

The Homes for Heroes foundation is a public charity exempt from federal income tax un-der Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Homes for Heroes is the industry lead-er and a national brand in 49 states and grow-ing, having already registered more than $1.5 billion dollars in real estate sold.

Information about Homes for Heroes is available at http://www.homesforheroesUS.com

and applicants for assistance can go to [email protected]


The International Union of Police Assocation (I.U.P.A.) was chartered by the AFL-CIO in February 1979 as the federation’s only union exclusively designed for the law enforcement personnel. Through the I.U.P.A’s AFL-CIO membership, we speak with authority within the labor movement and with the backing of the labor movement on issues of importance to public safety officers. The I.U.P.A. represents federal, state, and local police offiers and law enforcement employees throughout the United States and its territories.

I.U.P.A.

1549 Ringling Blvd6th FloorSarasota, FL 34236

Phone: 941-487-2560Fax: 941-487-2570Email: [email protected]: www.iupa.org

SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE -MOVING WITH ONE PURPOSE.

Documents

International Union of Police Associations · PDF fileInternational Union of Police Associations ... like to share with the entire I.U.P.A. ... email to: [email protected]