postal police officers associationsenator booker le equity support
TRANSCRIPT
May 11, 2016
The Honorable Cory A. Booker
United States Senate
359 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Booker:
It was a pleasure meeting with your postal staffer, Matt Thomson, regarding obtaining your support for legislation
which would expand the definition of "law enforcement officer" for retirement purposes to include certain Federal
law enforcement officers. The House version of this legislation, H.R. 2254 is sponsored by New York Congressman
Peter King.
Thank you for introducing the Senate companion to the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act. This legislation is
strongly supported by postal police officers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico; the National Association
of Police Officers (NAPO); the Postal Police Officers Association (PPOA); the Federal Law Enforcement Officers
Association (FLEOA); and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
Due to their high level of training and the dangerous nature of the profession, Congress rightfully determined that
federal law enforcement officers should receive enhanced retirement benefits compared to other federal employees.
However, federal law enforcement officers classified as GS-0083 police officers (or the equivalent) were not initially
covered. Congress has since granted some, but not all GS-0083 officers law enforcement status for retirement benefits,
but today, approximately 30,000 of these federal law enforcement officers do not receive these benefits.
The dedicated men and women who put their lives on the line as law enforcement officers for federal agencies but do
not receive enhanced retirement benefits include police officers for: the Department of Defense (DoD); Veterans
Affairs (VA); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Federal Protective Service (FPS); US Mint; Bureau of Engraving
and Printing (BEP); National Institute of Health (NIH); and United States Postal Police. These officers serve as first
responders, face the same hazards as their state and local counterparts, and should they fall in the line of duty, their
names are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Washington, DC.
These officers face the same risks and challenges as their federal law enforcement colleagues who currently receive
LEO retirement status. This bill will ensure that officers across the country, who put their lives on the line each and
every day to protect us, earn the benefits that they deserve.
Thank you for your steadfast assistance to the law enforcement community, and again, we are most grateful for your
support in advancing this critical piece of legislation. Feel free to contact me if I may be of any assistance.
Sincerely,
_________________
James E. Bjork
National President
Postal Police Officers Association
P.O. Box 5187
Chicago, IL 60680-5187
312-504-6217
POSTAL POLICE
OFFICERS ASSOCIATION