Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, welcomed today’s news that S. 1132, the “Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act Improvements Act,” was favorably reported by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on a unanimous voice vote.
“I want to first express my deep appreciation to Chairman Leahy for his commitment to this issue,” Canterbury said. “I know he’s been trying to move the bill for us since late last year, and his persistence paid off today.”
Senator Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT), the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, is also the sponsor of S. 1132. He had repeatedly placed the legislation on the Judiciary Committee’s agenda, but the weather, pressing nominations, and the threat of controversial amendments forced him to hold the bill over on several occasions. The bill had broad bipartisan support with Senator Jefferson B. Sessions III (R-AL), the Committee’s Ranking Member, and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) as lead cosponsors.
“We’re very fortunate to have a champion like Chairman Leahy and strong supporters like Senator Sessions,” Canterbury said. “Many of our retired officers are facing significant hurdles because some States have failed to implement the law as intended by Congress; this bill will really help them overcome those obstacles.”
The bill would improve certain provisions of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act (LEOSA), especially with respect to retired law enforcement officers, and would make clear that law enforcement officers employed by the Amtrak and Federal Reserve Police Departments, as well as those employed by the executive branch of the Federal Government who are classified as a GS-0083 meet the definition of “qualified law enforcement officer” in current law. The bill would also lower the aggregate years of service needed to meet the definition of “qualified retired law enforcement officer” from fifteen (15) to ten (10) and removes confusing language related to that same definition. The bill will now move to the Senate floor for further consideration.
Fraternal Order of Police," "FOP" and the Fraternal Order of Police Star Emblem are Federally Registered Trademarks of the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police. Other marks appearing in this web site are the trademarks and/or service marks of the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, its affiliates, licensors and/or licensees. Reproduction, use, distribution or copying of any marks appearing in this web site is strictly prohibited. The Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police pursues and prosecutes any and all trademark and copyright infringements to the fullest extent of the law
