Inside:Vice President’s Message 2President’s Message 3

Member Relations 4National Conference 5Legislation 6

Worthy Causes 7Police Week 2005 8New Memorial Fundraiser

On February 12, 2005, California Lodge 1 Trustee Stephen James and I presented an hour-long program called “Generation Why” at the 2005 FOP Leadership Matters Seminar in Nashville, Tennessee. It focused on defining Generation X and Generation Next, as well as outlining differences between the younger generations and the older generations.It also offered strategies on recruiting and retaining younger members and how to encourage better participation in FOP events.

Today’s new member is tomorrow’s National President. That statement is very true, and the success of the Order depends on it.If the Fraternal Order of Police is going to succeed well into the 21st Century and beyond, we need to take action today to ensure that the younger members are given the tools they need to keep us on top. That means the possibility of altering recruiting and retaining strategies, and communicating more effectively with each other.

There have always been generation gaps, and the FOP is no exception. We have members who served in World War II, as well as 21-year-old rookies fresh out of the academy. There are four different generations within our membership: the War Generation (also known as the Greatest Generation), the Baby Boomers, Generation X and the Millennial Generation. As society evolves, so do the values and perceptions of each generation, which can lead to communication issues. Knowing how to effectively communicate will lead to success within our local lodges and in the Order as a whole.

The War Generation members of the Order have served us very well for many years, and their vast wealth of knowledge and experience should not be lost on younger mem-bers. They helped to build the FOP’s strong foundation and guided us to where we are today. They made the FOP a member-based organization, where every member is represent-ed instead of being run from the top like many other labor organizations. Many of today’s local, state and national leaders are Baby Boomers who are recently retired or approach-ing retirement within the next ten years. Their hard work and dedication to the FOP have made us the largest and strongest police organization in America, and they will continueto serve in vital areas for years to come. Where do we go from here?

Some people may think that Generation X members are apathetic and not dedicated to the Lodge, but I believe that is not true. In the full article on the Grand Lodge’s web site,I will outline several common traits of the Generation X and Generation Next populations. In short, growing up during an information explosion, downsizing of parents’ jobs, and highdivorce rates have affected the younger sector of society and how they see the world. It is up to us to understand the younger members’ views and get the most out of them in away that is mutually beneficial.

Communicate, communicate, communicate. I cannot stress enough the importance of effective communication. Younger members want as much information as possible andthey want it in a timely manner. Many have a “what have you done for me lately” mentality and you can show them what the Lodge is doing by getting the word out about meet-ings, functions and other happenings through e-mail newsletters, web sites and other means. Focus on your local membership since we already get state and national newslet-ters. Talk to your members and get to know them and their families, and more importantly listen to them. They want to be heard. Family time and leisure time is very important toGeneration X, so be sure to include family events throughout the year for your membership. Create reasons for members to attend functions and meetings, such as door prizes,food, and competitive events.

Today’s new member is tomorrow’s National President. The FOP gives us opportunities that many law enforcement agencies do not easily give: opportunity for advancement.Since we are a bottom-up organization, the responsibilities that a member can take on and the levels they can rise to within the Order are limited only by the members themselves.That is what makes the FOP successful and unique. Give younger members some responsibilities within your local lodges. Reach out to them, teach them what the Lodge is allabout and help them to ensure that the FOP will be around for many generations to come. For more information, please check out the full article at www.grandlodgefop.org.

THE JOURNALOfficial Publication of the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police® Volume 10, Issue 2, April 2005

1410 Donelson Pike, Suite A-17, Nashville, TN 37217

Recruiting and Retaining into the 21st CenturyAdrian Breedlove

Tennessee Lodge #41 President

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2 G R A N D L O D G E F O P J O U R N A L • A P R I L 2 0 0 5

Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of PoliceNational Headquarters1410 Donelson Pike, A-17Nashville, TN 372171-800-451-2711Phone (615) 399-0900FAX (615) 399-0400E-mail: glfop@grandlodgefop.orgWeb Site: www.grandlodgefop.orgLegislative Office E-mail:

natlfop@grandlodgefop.org

Executive BoardChuck Canterbury

President4653 Redwood Drive

Myrtle Beach, SC 29588(843) 293-5386

Ken Rocks Patrick YoesVice President SecretaryPhiladelphia, PA Norco, LA

Tom Penoza Mike TaylorTreasurer Second Vice PresidentNew Castle, DE Columbus, OH

Frank Gale Mike BurnettSergeant-at-Arms National Trustees ChairmanDenver, CO Casper, WY

Past PresidentsGilbert G. GallegosAlbuquerque, NM

Dewey R. Stokes Richard A. BoydColumbus, OH Oklahoma City, OK

Leo V. Marchetti John M. DineenPittsburgh, PA Chicago, IL

THE FOP JOURNAL is published every othermonth by the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order ofPolice. 1410 Donelson Pike, Suite A-17, Nashville,TN 37217—1-800-451-2711. Presort Standard, U.S.Postage Paid in Nashville, TN Permit No. 1. FOPmembership includes a subscription to THE FOPJOURNAL. Subscriptions accepted from recognizedlaw enforcement agencies, government officials andlibraries. Subscriptions $16 a year. Single copies $4.

Media information available upon request by writingor calling National Headquarters. No part of THEFOP JOURNAL may be reprinted without permis-sion. Publication of any product does not endorseproduct or services by the National FOP.

Copyright 2005 by Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order ofPolice.

NATIONAL TRUSTEES

Editor-in-Chief EditorPatrick Yoes Kim Scott

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Burnett, ChairmanAlabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. L. FinleyArizona. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick ScherdenArkansas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allen HambyCalifornia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas C. ShoultzColorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. D. CordovaConnecticut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Howard CroninDistrict of Columbia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenny RodgersDelaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Randy DeCampliFlorida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pete FireGeorgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill PeacockIdaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brad LandesIllinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert “Rocky” NowaczykIndiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert ImborekKansas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pete FogartyKentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike HettichLouisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willie PatinMaryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick FulginitiMassachusetts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry CrosmanMichigan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David HillerMinnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chuck SchaussMississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Craig De�RocheMissouri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William PierceNebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ric HallettNevada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David MoodyNew Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron BakleyNew Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James FloresNew York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles CaputoNorth Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Randy HaglerNorth Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steven KennerOhio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chet DeLongOklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe PerkinsPennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gene GrattanRhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hugh Clements, Jr.South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Darrell LewisSouth Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas SchmittTennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Duane PhillipsTexas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike SimpsonUtah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James CrowleyVirginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James GaudetWashington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack SimingtonWest Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carl SpringerWisconsin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nick Segina

Your Voice in Government

Vice President’s Message

Many Brothers and Sisters and their spouses still contact me regarding Social Security issues: specif-ically, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The variouspieces of legislation and how they will impact our members are somewhat confusing. I will try to explainthe various bills and the impact they will have on you if you are subject to the WEP of Social Security.

By way of background, the WEP was enacted in 1983 as a way to help finance the Social Securityprogram. At that time Congress felt that government workers who did not contribute to Social Securityin their government jobs would have an advantage over workers who spent their entire working livesin low paying jobs. The formula in Social Security benefited these workers as it provided a larger ben-efit to them than to workers in higher paying jobs. Social Security could not determine if a worker wasin a low paying job or in a job that did not contribute to Social Security. The zeros in the statement ofearnings report made it appear that the worker was in a low paying job due to the fact that the aver-age earning over 35 years of work was low. Congress decided to eliminate that windfall, as they calledit, by changing the formula to make it fair. In reality it made it very unfair.

Here is a little history on how some employees in a state or local government were in Social Securityand others were not. The Social Security Administration has entered into what are called Section 218agreements with all U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These agreements allow thestates, if they desire, to provide Social Security and Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI) or Medicare HIonly to public employees. Section 218 agreements cover positions, not individuals. If the position iscovered by Social Security and Medicare under a Section 218 Agreement, then any employee fillingthat position is subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. Employees covered under a Section 218Agreement have the same coverage and benefit rights as employees in the private sector.

Public employees are brought under a Section 218 Agreement in groups known as coveragegroups. There are two basic coverage groups: absolute coverage groups and retirement system cov-erage groups. An absolute coverage group is composed of employees whose positions are not cov-ered under a public retirement system. A retirement system coverage group is composed of employ-ees whose positions are covered under a public retirement system.

A public retirement system may be covered under a Section 218 Agreement only after a referen-dum is held. All states are authorized to use the majority vote referendum process. If a majority of theeligible members vote in favor of coverage, all current and future employees in positions under theretirement system will be covered. In addition to the majority vote referendum procedure, certain statesare authorized to divide a retirement system based on whether the employees in positions under theretirement system want coverage. Under the divided vote referendum, only those employees who vote“yes” and all future employees will be covered. Members who vote “no” are not covered as long asthey maintain continuous employment in a position within the same public retirement system. Althoughthe referendum itself is a state matter, Section 218 of the Act requires that certain conditions be met.

Under the Act, certain employee services are mandatorily excluded from Social Security coverageunder a Section 218 Agreement. In addition, certain services and positions may, if requested by thestate, be excluded from Social Security coverage under the State’s Section 218 Agreement (optionalexclusions). The services that a state may optionally exclude are limited to those listed as optionalexclusions in Section 218 of the Act. Each state has a designated official, the State Social SecurityAdministrator, who is responsible for administering the State’s Section 218 Agreement and supervis-ing the referendum process. The State Administrator provides public employers information andadvice about Social Security and Medicare coverage for State and local government employees.Contact the State Administrator for your state and make sure you become aware of these agreements.That is why you are either in or out. In other words, impacted by the WEP or NOT.

As you see, the more you get involved in Social Security issues the more complex they become.Simply discussing the legislation is not the answer—you need a thorough understanding of theprocess and the laws governing Social Security. I have always tried to provide an in-depth analysis ofthese issues. In September 2003, I testified before the Senate Committee on Government Affairs con-cerning S. 349, the “Social Security Fairness Act.” In July 2004, President Canterbury testified beforethe Subcommittee on Social Security and Committee on Ways and Means on another piece of SocialSecurity legislation, H.R. 4391, the “Public Servant Retirement Protection Act.”

How will H.R. 4391 affect you? Employees affected by the WEP have their benefits calculated undera different formula (I covered that formula in previous articles). H.R. 4391 repeals the WEP. Your SocialSecurity will no longer be calculated using this formula. Your benefits will be calculated using youractual work history. This will treat all workers fairly. I will try to provide an example to you as to myunderstanding of H.R. 4391:

A law enforcement officer was born in 1943—this would make him/her 62 years old in 2005. Theofficer worked in jobs paying Social Security from 1960 to 1965 (5 years). He/She became a lawenforcement officer in 1966 and remained in this position until 1986 (20 years). From 1986 to2005 he/she worked and paid Social Security (19 years). For 24 years the LEO paid into SocialSecurity. Over the years, the LEO worked for 45 years and paid into Social Security for 24 ofthose years—that is 53.33% of actual work history (as I understand the law). The LEO earned$710,940 where Social Security tax was paid using the regular formula. The AMIE (averagemonthly indexed earnings) is $1692.71 ($710,940/420).

90% of $627 = $564.3032% of $1065.71 = $341.03PIA = $905.33

Work History years: 53.33% of $905.33 = $482.81

Now let’s do the WEP formula on the same LEO:

40% of $627 = $250.8032% of $1065.71 = $341.03PIA = $591.83

It appears that H.R. 4391 does not really help this officer. The bill does contain a hold harmless pro-vision for some officers, as the one I used as an example will not benefit. My example represents theaverage adversely affected officer under WEP.

I will continue to inform you of the complex details of Social Security. I spend many hours studyingthis and other issues that impact our membership. I have some information on health care costs thatI will be writing about in the future. These are the issues that most affect our quality of life during ourretired years, as well as our working years. If anyone has questions on any Social Security issue, I willbe glad to help you. Call me at 215-629-2433 or send me an e-mail.

SOCIAL SECURITY: OUR MAIN PRIORITY

Ken RocksNational Vice Presidentkrocks@fop5.org

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A Decade of Days on the HillThe Day on the Hill program turned ten years old this year, and it is amazing to see how much participation in this

event has grown and what effect that growth has had on both the strength of our grassroots movement and our abil-ity to get things done on Capitol Hill.

Recent legislative victories like the passage of H.R. 218 and the “Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act” maynot have been possible without an FOP membership that is better informed about our issues and more engaged withtheir Members of Congress. As I mentioned in my last few articles—success can be a tough act to follow, but I amconfident, especially after seeing the turnout in Washington, that our members and our National Legislative Office areup to the task!

Chuck CanterburyNational Presidentfopchuck@aol.com

Building on Success

A Voice for You

President’s Message

EMBRaciNG DiVeRSiTYBy Ray J. Duran, National Diversity Committee, NM Lodge 1

When someone says diversity, you probably start thinking quotas (counting heads), affirmative action, white male bashing, orsomething along that line. In the world today diversity is, but is not limited to, age, gender, physical appearance, religion,ethnicity/cultural differences, different areas of the country, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, educational level and physi-cal disabilities.

Why is it important to embrace diversity? As we get better retirements and more officers are retiring at earlier ages, the workforcewill consist of a more diverse group of officers. The population consists of 52% women. People entering the workforce today consistof 70% women and minorities. Demographics change with the influx of different ethnic groups into cities which create language bar-riers. Therefore, as we seek non-traditional employees, we have to seek them in non-traditional places. Our mission is how to dealwith the challenge of change. Diversity is a way for the organization to become responsive to change and inclusive to all viewpoints.

According to Dr. Samuel Betances, commitment to diversity is commitment to excellence and the quicker an agency accepts thiscommitment the sooner it will prosper. Diversity seeks progressive policy, removing barriers and frustrations in the organization, sothat everyone can achieve. Diversity responds to demographic changes through understanding our multi-cultural community.Diversity seeks team collaboration—it is not about counting heads but making heads count. For police this means mission readi-ness and success in policing our multi-cultural communities.

As our police departments become more diverse, communities benefit through better communication and cooperation. We needeach other to succeed in our mission.

National Response Plan CompleteIn January, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tom Ridge

announced the completion of the National Response Plan (NRP), fulfillingHomeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5) by providing a coreoperational plan for all national incident management.

The National Response Plan, which was designed with input from theFraternal Order of Police, will help to strengthen our response capabilities byestablishing a unified and standardized approach within the United Statesfor protecting citizens and managing homeland security incidents. Federal,State, local, and tribal first responders now have a comprehensive plan toguide domestic incident management across the spectrum of prevention,preparedness, response, and recovery.

The NRP provides that all Federal departments and agencies which maybe required to assist or support during a national incident, whether fromthreats or acts of terrorism, major natural disasters, or man-made emergen-cies, will be able to affect a more coordinated, integrated response. TheNRP establishes standardized training, organization, and communicationsprocedures through the National Incident Management System (NIMS),which was rolled out last March, and clearly identifies authority and leader-ship responsibilities.

FOP Helps to Keep Cop-Killer Behind BarsThe scheduled release of convicted cop-killer Veronza L. Bowers, Jr. was

blocked at the very last minute by order of the U.S. Parole Commission—thanks in part to the efforts of the Grand Lodge. Bowers was poaching deerwith two other men in August 1973 when he was confronted by U.S. ParkRanger Kenneth Carmel Patrick. Bowers shot Patrick three times with his 9mmhandgun, killing him. His body was not discovered until the next morning.

I was contacted by a U.S. Park Ranger and FOP members just daysbefore this murderer was going to be released and directed the NationalLegislative Office to see if there was anything we could do to delay or pre-vent his release. Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and GregJohnston, President of Virginia Local Lodge #60, were able to confirm thatthe widow, Tomie Patrick Lee, the prosecutor, or other individuals did notreceive the required notification about Bowers’ parole hearing. They learnedonly after the fact that Bowers had won parole and was scheduled forrelease. As a victim, Mrs. Lee has the right to speak to the Commission and,once we were able to contact her, she sent a letter to the U.S. ParoleCommission requesting that opportunity, which rescinded Bowers’ release.

The letter was received and the blocking order issued only hours beforeBowers was to go free. Ultimately, it is not clear if we will be able to keepthis killer behind bars, but one thing is certain—this man will be a danger tolaw enforcement officers if he does get back on the street. Bowers, once aleader of the Black Panthers, was developing his own cell of “warriorsagainst fascist America.” Even today, he characterizes himself as an unre-pentant “political prisoner,” not unlike his fellow cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. I have directed the National Legislative Office to continue workingwith Mrs. Lee and her family as she prepares her materials for the consider-ation of the U.S. Parole Commission. Veronza Bowers was justly tried andconvicted of murdering Ken Patrick. He was sentenced to life in prison—andlife in prison is what he should serve.

4 G R A N D L O D G E F O P J O U R N A L • A P R I L 2 0 0 5

Increasing Benefits for Our Members

Member Relations

National FOP VantageCareRetirement Health Savings Plan

Few concerns are greater for the FOP membership than meeting health care costsfor themselves and their families once they leave public service. Since the beginning ofhis presidency, Chuck Canterbury has set a goal of providing the best benefits for FOPmembers. The goal for the FOP was to offer a program that would enable members tosave for their future health care during their working years. A critical requirement wasthat such a plan allowed active public safety members the ability to build tax-free sav-ings that could be used, after age 45, to reimburse qualified medical expenses on a tax-free basis for themselves.

President Canterbury worked closely with Kelly Bush of ICMA RetirementCorporation to design a retirement health savings program that fit the needs of FOPmembers. Under the plan, members invest a portion of their paycheck in theVantagepoint Funds, a series of mutual funds. When it comes time to withdraw themoney, earnings and contributions are tax-free when used for qualifying health careexpenses. In September 2004, at an FOP Board meeting in Albuquerque, N.M., the planwas recommended to the National FOP Board of Trustees who unanimously approvedthe program with ICMA-RC as the program provider.

The NFOP RHS plan is designed to allow members to put away for health care needsin retirement on a tax-free basis. All monies contributed to the plan will receive a tripletax savings. Money goes in tax-free, grows tax-free, and is tax-free when withdrawn.The money can be used for the member, the member’s spouse and their dependents.The money can only be used for medical expenses as described in IRC 213. Also, whatmakes this plan more attractive than other health plans is that the member can startusing their account once they reach age 45, regardless of whether they are retired ornot. All members of the FOP are eligible for this plan. In order to participate, the mem-ber’s respective lodge must adopt the plan.

The adoption process is quite simple. The trust is held by the National, but must beadopted by each local lodge. The National assumes all liabilities and responsibilities ofthe NFOP RHS Plan. It is important to emphasize that neither the local lodge noremployer assume any liabilities. Each lodge President is required to adopt the NFOPRHS plan. This can be done by calling Kelly Bush at 1-888-803-2727 or sending an e-mail to kbush@icmarc.org. Once the plan is adopted, the members will have the oppor-tunity to participate. Participation by each member is voluntary. Unlike other programsthat require 100% participation, the RHS allows for voluntary participation.Contributions may vary from member to member, and will be contributed on a pre-taxbasis. All contributions must come by way of a payroll deduction.

The plan can be funded by member pre-tax contributions, sick and vacation leave,and employer contributions. If a member receives a severance package at the end oftheir employment, that too can be deposited in the NFOP RHS plan. For those lodgesthat will negotiate or seek an employer contribution, remember that all employer contri-butions are tax-free as well. The employer saves 7.65% on all money deposited into theNFOP RHS plan. So the employer benefits from this program. Members can elect tocontribute between 1-15% of their wages and can elect to contribute up to 100% oftheir severance package. Remember, all contributions are tax-free going in, growtax-free, and are tax-free when withdrawn for qualified medical expenses.

The National Fraternal Order of Police RHS program is available to all 318,000 activemembers who are eligible to participate as long as they are employed by a federal, stateor local government in a public safety position. ICMA-RC has quickly begun rolling outthe national program. As lodges adopt the program enrollment kits will be available tomembers. The rollout also includes an informative web site at www.rhsnfop.org.

Partnerships:The Key to FOP Growth

By Ted Street, President, FOP, Illinois State Lodge

Growth through partnerships is a concept that is working well inIllinois. Through strategic alliances with other law enforcement andnon-law enforcement organizations, the Illinois State Lodge is findingmore avenues open to it politically and financially.

The Illinois State Lodge has had a solid political reputation foryears. However, three years ago the Board of Trustees took a boldstep and endorsed a candidate for all state constitutional offices. I cantell you the discussion and vote was not a rubber stamp deal, but ourtrustees made history that day. Their boldness has paid off becausethe FOP State Lodge traveled the state making campaign stops withboth our Governor and Attorney General. It is now well-known if polit-ical decisions are going to affect law enforcement; someone is goingto ask the FOP Illinois State Lodge’s opinion. That doesn’t alwaysmean that the FOP gets everything it wants, but it does mean the FOPis a respected player.

Two years ago, the FOP began reaching out to the Illinois Sheriff’sAssociation, the Illinois Chiefs of Police, Police Benevolent andProtective Association, and the Illinois Police Association in an effortto bring focus to law enforcement initiatives in the legislative arena.This has resulted in an annual legislative session planning retreat, jointlobbying days and more cooperation on other issues with theseorganizations. Yes, we still compete and disagree on some items butwe are committed to working together where we can since we are allsworn to “protect and serve.”

Involvement in other Boards is encouraged within our Board ofTrustees. One such involvement has led to service on the Illinois LawEnforcement Training and Standards Board. This leadership role hasled to training partnerships that have provided FOP members withaccess to numerous FREE education opportunities. This relationshiphas also created a joint committee that is leading the way in imple-menting H.R. 218 in our state, as well as advocating legislation thatwill create a surcharge fund for the benefit of all of Illinois law enforce-ment. Fight Crime: Invest in Kids is another organization the StateLodge has partnered with in the last couple years. Our organizationsconducted a survey of law enforcement and presented the findings tothe media and legislature supporting increased pre-school and after-school program funding as a way to reduce juvenile crime.

Business partnerships have created new member benefits for theState Lodge and have increased participation in our Conference TradeShow and reduced some of our operating costs. Some of these rela-tionships are long-term and some are short-term, but they are alwaysa win-win situation. In addition, some of the partnerships have evolvedinto newsletter contributions, outside advisors, and Board membersfor our charitable arm, the Illinois Law Enforcement Foundation.Interestingly, most of these relationships have been initiated by theState Lodge…so think outside of the box!

Partnerships take work and commitment. They also take couragebecause they require your lodge leaders and trustees to reach beyondthe world of law enforcement. If your lodge can do this, you will reaprewards beyond what you have imagined. For example, the IllinoisState Lodge was asked to participate in a blue ribbon panel of stateand local leaders to rewrite the Illinois Criminal Code, an initiativefunded mostly by Illinois corporations.

Tom PenozaNational Treasurertomfop@aol.com

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Catch the Latest Details

National Conference

Patrick YoesNational Secretarynationalsecretary@grandlodgefop.org

The countdown has begun…

Come on down to New Orleans!After four years of planning, the 57th Biennial National Conference is just around the corner and boy, has the Louisiana

State Lodge planned a great time for our delegates that they will not soon forget. The LA FOP launched its newly designed web site for the Conference. Members can access a smorgasbord of informa-

tion about the conference…everything from hotel accommodations with direct links to host hotels, an awesome eventspackage, training sessions, and the Morial Convention Center. There is even a downloadable city map and information abouttransportation. Also available online are downloadable registration forms for the golf tournament and EXPO and, comingsoon, event registration forms.

As the Conference gets closer there are plans to allow attendees to order conference merchandise online. To access thesite, simply go to www.lafop.org and select the National Conference link. We will continue to update our site as necessaryto provide our members with the most current information available, so check back often for the most up-to-date details.

We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!

Saturday, July 30, 2005Delegate/Alternate RegistrationSeminar RegistrationEvents Registration (11AM – 5PM)

Sunday, July 31, 2005Delegate/Alternate RegistrationSeminar RegistrationEvents Registration (9AM – 5PM)Pre-Conference Board MeetingEXPO 2005Golf Tournament RegistrationNoon (1PM Shot gun start)A Taste of Louisiana—HiltonRiverside

Monday, August 1, 2005Opening Ceremonies

Business SessionDelegate/Alternate RegistrationSeminar RegistrationEvents Registration (8AM – 3PM)EXPO 2005Mardi Gras WorldFOP Fest (Cruise Ship Terminal #2behind Convention Center Hall A)

Tuesday, August 2, 2005Business SessionDelegate/Alternate RegistrationSeminar RegistrationEvents Registration (8AM – 3PM)EXPO 2005Louisiana SuperdomeFOP Fest (Cruise Ship Terminal #2behind Convention Center Hall A)

Wednesday, August 3, 2005Business SessionDelegate/Alternate RegistrationSeminar RegistrationEvents Registration (8AM – 1PM)Irish NightFOP Fest (Cruise Ship Terminal #2behind Convention Center Hall A)

Thursday, August 4, 2005Business SessionDelegate/Alternate RegistrationElectionsConference Cruise Departs

Friday, August 5, 2005Post Conference Board Meeting

★ DELEGATE ELIGIBILITY ★

Delegates must be paid, active members of theFraternal Order of Police. Each lodge is entitledto one (1) delegate for every fifty (50) paid,active members or the greater portion thereof.Delegate selection varies from lodge to lodge,based on the local lodge’s constitution and by-laws.

Monday, August 1, 2005• Critical Incident Stress

Management• Grand Lodge Information

System• How to Represent Your

Members• Flying Armed• Retirement Health Savings• Islamic Culture• H.R. 218• Legal Defense

Tuesday, August 2, 2005• Critical Incident Stress

Management• Myth that Right to Work

States Can’t Bargain• National Center for Missing

and Exploited Children:Authority Rape

• Flying Armed• Retirement Health Savings• TBA-Diversity Committee• H.R. 218• Legal Defense

Wednesday, August 3, 2005• Critical Incident Stress

Management• Grand Lodge Information

System• How to Represent Your

Members• Flying Armed• Retirement Health Savings• National Center for Missing

and Exploited Children:Netsmartz/Team Adam

• Political Action Committee• Investments

CONFERENCE AGENDAIMPORTANTDEADLINES

May 1★Last Half 2005 Per Capita due to the Grand Lodge★Grand Lodge begins issuing credentials after Last Half

2005 per capita has been received

July 1★Credentials due back to the Grand Lodge

WORKSHOPSOffered Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.

FOR MORE CONFERENCEINFORMATION GO TO

WWW.LAFOP.ORG & SELECT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE LINK.

Day on the Hill 2005 a Success!More than two hundred FOP members

from twenty-five State Lodges were inWashington, D.C. to participate in our annualDay on the Hill. Participation in this event is asignificant part of our legislative strategy, andit was great to see the familiar faces of thoseFOP members that make this trip annually andit was equally exciting to see so many newmembers who have decided to play a greaterrole in the National FOP’s legislative program.

But we ask all of our Day on the Hill partic-ipants to remember that grassroots activismis not a one- or two-day event. It requiresconstant maintenance, both with the contacts you make in Washington, andwith those you are developing in your home States and districts. For FOP mem-bers that are unable to participate in Day on the Hill, you can still be a part of theFOP’s Grassroots Action Network (GAN)! Contact your State Lodge’s GANLegislative Contact and find out how you can help!

FOP-Endorsed Plan to end 800 MHz Interference Closer toImplementation

The FOP has been involved for some time as part of a unique public-privatepartnership to improve public safety communications and address the growingproblem of interference on 800 MHz radio systems. Currently, many law enforce-ment and other public safety officers experience interference—garbled, fuzzy orblocked calls in their 800 MHz public safety radio systems—which occursbecause public safety channels are intermingled among and adjacent to com-mercial channels. Without clear, reliable communication, public safety officersmay be unable to do their jobs quickly and efficiently—putting the lives of oth-ers as well as their own at risk.

The public safety community and corporations like Nextel Communications,a long-time public safety advocate and friend of law enforcement, worked todevelop a plan to eliminate this interference. Terming the product of this workthe Consensus Plan, it was submitted to the Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC), which adopted most aspects of the plan in an order theyissued last December. The heart of the solution to the problem of interferenceincludes reconfiguring the 800 MHz spectrum to separate the different spectrumbands that have proven incompatible, which will virtually eliminate interferenceto public safety radios in the 800 MHz band.

In early February, Nextel announced its acceptance of the FederalCommunications Commission’s (FCC) Report and Order, marking a turning pointin public safety’s collective fight to eliminate 800 MHz radio interference. TheFOP has pledged to work with Nextel over the next several years as it imple-ments the FCC’s order. Any FOP members working in jurisdictions that are expe-riencing this type of interference on their communication systems should con-tact the National Legislative Office so that we can put them in touch with theright people at Nextel.

Top Priorities Re-IntroducedThe National Legislative Office has set an aggressive strategy for pushing our

top legislative priorities. The information below was one part of the briefingreceived by Day on the Hill participants during that grassroots event. Watch theLegislative section of the Grand Lodge web site for all the latest information!

• H.R. 147, the “Social Security Fairness Act”The House legislation repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision andGovernment Pension Offset in current Social Security law was re-intro-duced by Representative Howard L. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) in the firstdays of the new Congress. At this writing, it has one hundred and eighty-seven (187) cosponsors—only thirty-one (31) shy of a House majority. Wehope to reach this goal before mid-April. No hearings or mark-ups on thislegislation have yet been scheduled, but the FOP testified on this issuethree times in the previous Congress, so we are hopeful that Congress willseek to move the bills as part of a larger reform package or as stand-alonemeasures. At the time of this writing, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) andSenator Susan M. Collins, Chairman of the Committee on GovernmentalAffairs and Homeland Security, are expected to introduce the Senatecompanion bill to H.R. 147 when the Senate returns to session in March.

• Opposing legislation that would require the participation of publicemployees in Social Security—While no legislation mandating participa-tion in the Social Security system for public safety employees currentlyoutside the system has yet been introduced, the FOP is doing everythingwe can to ensure that this scheme is met with continued rejection by law-

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News from the Hill

Legislation

makers on Capitol Hill. To this end, we are working with the offices andstaff of Senators George V. Voinovich (R-OH) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)to urge members of the Senate to sign a joint letter addressed to theSenate Finance Committee. The letter, authored by Senators Voinovichand Feinstein, urges the Committee not to consider any plan which wouldrequire the participation of public employees in Social Security.

• H.R. 354, the “State and Local Law Enforcement Discipline,Accountability and Due Process Act”The FOP continues to push this legislation and is focused on increasingthe number of cosponsors to serve as a foundation for further action. TheDay on the Hill was very effective in this regard, enabling us to bring ourcosponsorship total to eight (8) on the House bill. In the Senate, we areworking with the original cosponsors of the bill in the previous Congresson the timing of the introduction for the Senate bill in this Congress. At thetime of this writing, it is expected that the Senate companion measure willbe introduced in early March.

• Legislation supporting the recognition of the right of public safetyemployees to bargain collectively—The FOP is actively working withprevious sponsors of this bill to gather original cosponsors. At the time ofthis writing, we expect that legislation will be introduced in both cham-bers in early March.

FOP, Nextel, and NASCARThe FOP is working with Nextel Communications, the official sponsor of

NASCAR, to hold another event similar to that held last October at Lowe’sMotor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina during the UAW-GM Quality 500Auto race. Nextel provided 500 tickets to FOP members for this event and treat-ed us as their special guests for a great weekend of NASCAR racing. The FOPwas treated to a very well-stocked hospitality area prior to the race and had anopportunity to visit the pit area for an up close and personal tour of where thework gets done before the race begins. Afterward, members settled down intruly excellent seats high up on the second turn of the speedway.

This was an outstanding event and the FOP is looking forward to partneringwith Nextel at future NASCAR events.

Lessons Learned Information SharingProtecting our nation against the threat of terrorism is an increasingly com-

plex effort. Everyday, front-line responders at the local, State, and Federal lev-els are creating new and innovative best practices. Exercises and real-worldincidents have produced valuable lessons learned for emergency response pro-fessionals. Until now, this effort has been hampered by the fact that there hasbeen no single resource for law enforcement professionals and emergencyresponders to share this information.

To fill this critical gap, the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention ofTerrorism (MIPT) in Oklahoma City, in cooperation with the Department ofHomeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness, has developed LessonsLearned Information Sharing (LLIS.gov). Lessons Learned Information Sharing isa national, online network of lessons learned and best practices designed tohelp law enforcement officials, emergency responders, and homeland securityofficials prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism. LessonsLearned Information Sharing will improve law enforcement preparednessnationwide by allowing officers and departments to tap into a wealth of validat-ed frontline expertise on homeland security.

The central component of Lessons Learned Information Sharing is a collec-tion of peer-validated lessons learned and best practices, conceived and devel-oped by response professionals, including law enforcement officials from thelocal, state, and federal levels. From setting the initial research agenda to help-ing develop and vet individual lessons learned and best practices, emergencyresponders are continually consulted to ensure the relevance of information onthe system. Other components include: a catalog of after-action reports (AARs),an updated list of homeland security exercises, events and conferences, adirectory of responders and homeland security officials and much more!

LLIS.gov is a secure system limited to law enforcement officials and otheremergency response providers at the local, State, and Federal levels. All appli-cants to LLIS.gov are validated prior to receiving a username and password toaccess the system, ensuring that the system remains a secure community. Byusing strong encryption and active site monitoring, LLIS.gov is authorized tohouse For Official Use Only (FOUO) and law enforcement sensitive information.

By providing a single, centralized location for the sharing and disseminationof information, Lessons Learned Information Sharing can help inform and pre-pare law enforcement professionals and agencies across the country, a crucialstep in the ongong process of improving homeland security. For more informa-tion, contact the National Legislative Office.

Welcoming New StaffThe National Legislative Office welcomes Courtney Lallier, who started in the

D.C. office in mid-February as our new PAC Manager and Legislative Assistant.Welcome aboard, Courtney!

Jim PascoExecutive Directorfopexdir@wizard.net

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Greetings to everyone—just want all to know that our national “Charity ofChoice,” Easter Seals, is doing well and is alive and kicking. Our longest running national charityhas been with us since 1977. The Grand Lodge FOP became a national corporate sponsor becauseit wanted to show the communities we serve that the FOP was giving something back to the com-munity. It was an awareness of a national charity that made the FOP unique. The FOP is the onlynon-profit public service entity that is a national corporate sponsor. The National FOP has raisedalmost 14 million dollars in its 27-year love affair with Easter Seals. We could do more, but we allrealize that sometimes things are tough and our best intentions don’t always come through.

The National FOP has never lost sight of the fact that the charity of Easter Seals is a very viableand important charity. The greatest argument that I can make for the FOP to support our charity isthat back in 1977, the Grand Lodge chose Easter Seals to be our charity of choice—Easter Sealsdid not choose the FOP. Therefore, we have an obligation to see to it that we, as an organization,support Easter Seals. Many states take this obligation very seriously and others for various rea-sons do not. I make a personal appeal to each state to please call your Easter Seals center andsee what you can do for them. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much they appreciate yourinquiry. Visit a center in your town or state and see the good works that are being done there. Afterall, Easter Seals gets people on their feet so that they can participate in the most important raceof all, the human race.

Easter Seals spends more per dollar on the services they provide (94%) than any other chari-table organization. Hence, the National FOP gets more “bang for the buck” in public recognition.The more the FOP gives to Easter Seals, the more advertisement time and public awareness isgenerated. This public recognition is priceless and it could not work out better for both organiza-tions. Easter Seals gives us all a way to give back to the communities in which we live. Many FOPmembers experience a lot of satisfaction from their involvement with Easter Seals. Once you visitan Easter Seals site or help a child at the Easter Seals camp, you are hooked. Your enthusiasm toget out there and help Easter Seals will overflow. All that we ask as FOP members is give it a tryand see the feeling of a smiling face or the joy of taking a first step. Support the FOP in their sup-port of Easter Seals.

I would like to urge the major FOP cities to look into a payroll deduction plan with Easter Sealsbeing the “Charity of Choice.” Just a dollar a check will do untold good on behalf of the FOP in itssupport of Easter Seals. The city of Chicago Police Department has made the payroll deduction apart of their fund raising efforts towards Easter Seals and it has paid off big, making Illinois thenumber one FOP fund raising state for the last three years. Try it—you will see.

Please call or contact me if you have any questions or comments about Easter Seals centersor fund raising activities. Also, please help our FOP Easter Seals committee members who will becontacting you about your contributions to Easter Seals. I would like to acknowledge all of my com-mittee members who work so hard to make the FOP proud supporters of Easter Seals: HowardBillingslea, Georgia; Brian Hallman, Virginia; Delores Kmost, North Carolina; Tom Gersback,Pennsylvania; Bob Cupp, Ohio; and Tommy Tizzard, Louisiana.

EASTER SEALS IS STILL HEREBy Rocky Nowaczyk

FOP Easter Seals Chairman

Cultivating a Spirit of Fraternalism

Worthy Causes

Retired officers needed to man confidential hotline for stressed-out copsBy Robin Patric, Editor, New Jersey FOP News

Remember the guy in your department who drank too much? Or the one who picked fights with his wife and flirted with other women? And how ‘bout the guy that intentionally left his vest behindevery time he answered a “hot” call? When you were on the job, you knew the signs of a stressed-out cop and you still know them today, years after retiring. Well, now those insights and your on-the-job experience could make you the perfect listener for stressed-out active cops. “Copline,” the first toll-free national hotline exclusively for law enforcement officers and their families is being developedas a confidential way for officers to talk about job-related stress, alcohol abuse, relationship issues, depression, and even thoughts of suicide. Seven days a week and 24 hours a day, active officers willbe able to call Copline and talk with retired officers from their own state, people who understand the job, know the local politics, and have experienced the trauma.

Stephanie Samuels, a New Jersey-based psychotherapist with a practice devoted exclusively to law enforcement, is the primary force behind Copline. “Officers in this country continue to choose totalk only to other officers,” when it comes to critical issues, she says. For many, the impediment to better mental health is fear of being de-gunned or labeled “crazy” once the department finds out there’sa problem. In New Jersey, Samuels initiated legislation and found start-up funding for a statewide hotline. “COP2COP” continues to operate, but Samuels stepped back to devote more time to her ownpractice. Now she’s committed to creating a national hotline and the key to its success will be tapping the resource of retired officers. “There’s a wealth of knowledge that a retired officer has that is lostwhen he or she leaves the department,” said Samuels. “Many of them miss the job they loved and gave so much to, and some are forced out early because of disability or other circumstances. This isgiving back to a career that is part of their lives long after they separate from it.”

Here’s how the hotline will work:• Callers will be routed to the nearest retired officer within their own state.• Copline will be strictly confidential and nonprofit. Callers can trust that their agencies will not be informed.• All volunteers will be background-checked and thoroughly trained by licensed professionals who specialize in law enforcement.• Free training will be provided in each state.• At all times, licensed clinicians will be on call to assist the volunteer when a call goes beyond his or her training.• A network of medical and psychological referral resources will be established in each state so that volunteers can be a conduit to further help.• Lines will be connected to the retiree’s location, either at home or in a central locale. Even if you’ve retired out-of-state, lines can be connected to you and you’ll still talk to officers back home.

Cops’ spouses and kids also are expected to use the hotline. “If somebody wants to speak to a spouse, we will have spouses trained to take the calls,” said Samuels. Eventually she wants to identi-fy and train interested teens who can answer lines for other law enforcement children because, “Police officers’ kids go through different stress than kids in the general population.” While Copline is inits development stages, said Samuels, “We welcome input from any active or retired officer in the country who’s interested in talking to us.” If you’d like to become a Copline volunteer, call (800) 267-5463, x8, or send e-mail to copline@optonline.net. Be sure to name the city, state and department you retired from, the number of years you were on the job and an address and phone number whereyou can be reached.

The Critical IncidentProgram

Wants YOU!Are you interested in starting a Critical Incident Stress Management

Team for your area? It can be as easy as calling Critical IncidentCommittee Chair Mike Haley at 614-224-5700 or e-mailing him atmhaley@fopohio.org for details.

We know that at the time of a major catastrophe our countryresponds, as we saw on September 11, 2001. More important thanthe responses to major disasters are the responses to critical events—those events that are not always seen on the evening news—that hap-pen to officers in the course of their duties every day. CISM Teamsneed to be in place for those officers when they experience theadverse effects of Critical Incident Stress. You can be part of theanswer to the question, “Who do we call?” Call now and we can worktogether to set up your team and schedule a training program.

8 G R A N D L O D G E F O P J O U R N A L • A P R I L 2 0 0 5

GRAND LODGEFRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE1410 Donelson Pike, Suite A-17Nashville, TN 37217-2933

NON PROFITU.S. POSTAGE

P A I DNASHVILLE, TNPermit No. 2418

Opportunities to Be Involved

Police Week 2005

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 Annual Blue Mass12 noonSt. Patrick’s Catholic ChurchFor additional information, please call 202-347-2713.

Thursday, May 12, 2005 Police Unity TourArrival Ceremony 2:00 p.m.Washington MemorialVisit www.policeunitytour.com or call 973-443-0030 formore information.

Friday, May 13, 2005 17th Annual Candlelight Vigil8:00 p.m., sponsored by the National Law EnforcementOfficers Memorial400 block of E Street, NWCall 202-737-3400 for further details.

21st Annual Concerns of Police Survivors Seminars9:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.Hilton Alexandria Mark Center

Saturday, May 14, 2005 3rd Annual Honor Guard Competition8:30 a.m.Grant’s Statue, 1st Street, NW, just west of the U.S. CapitolVisit www.policeweekhonorguard.com or send e-mail toKen Roske, FOP Memorial Committee, athonorguard@policeweek.org for additional information.

21st Annual Concerns of Police Survivors Seminars9:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.Hilton Alexandria Mark Center

11th Annual Emerald Society & Pipe Band March andServiceAssemble at 4:30 p.m., Step-off promptly at 6:00 p.m.Holiday Inn on Capitol HillSponsored by the National Conference of LawEnforcement Emerald Societies, Inc.

Sunday, May 15, 2005 24th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service12 noonWest front lawn of the United States CapitolSponsored by the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Policeand the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police AuxiliaryContact Sharon Valtierra or Marcello Muzzatti at theNational Police Week hotline at 202-547-1651 if you haveany questions.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held immediately fol-lowing the Memorial Service at the National LawEnforcement Officers Memorial, located in the 400 block ofE Street, NW.

This little basketcan do so much

to honor our heroes.

For the first time ever, a special, customized FOP basket and lid handcrafted by TheLongaberger Company has been developed to support the Annual Police Memorial inWashington, D.C., as well as your state and local FOP lodges. Buy one for you, buy one for agift and urge your friends and family to buy their own to support FOP efforts. The basket'sdesign features a custom-engraved lid with FOP logo, star tacks, blue trim and an FOP logoburned on the bottom of each basket. As a tribute, a listing of the 2004 Fallen Officers will be

included with your basket. This special basket is available through June 15, 2005. To find the orderform and details on how to order, go to www.grandlodgefop.org today.

“This fundraiser is a powerful way toprovide financial support to the FOPFoundation and our Police Memorial inWashington, D.C., while paying tribute toour fallen heroes. I encourage and thank,in advance, all FOP members and theirfamilies for fully supporting thisopportunity.”

Chuck Canterbury, National President Fraternal Order of Police

“This is a great way for Local FOP Lodgesto become more actively engaged in theircommunities. With support andinvolvement from our State Lodges as well,it really is a win-win for the FraternalOrder of Police.”

Mike Taylor, National 2nd Vice President Fraternal Order of Police

“I am excited about this exclusive productbearing our FOP emblem and the salespotential it not only has to our members,but also to friends and family. The FOPbears only the advertising cost for thisfundraiser, so financially, it has hugepotential for the FOP. If, together, we canmake this fundraiser successful, in '05, wehave a tremendous opportunity for thefuture.”

Chet DeLong, Ohio National Trustee Fraternal Order of Police

The FOP logo isburned on the bottomof each basket.

Custom engraved lid (71⁄4" x 6")with FOP logo and inscription, “Never Let Them Walk Alone.”

FOP Basket size: 71⁄4" x 6" x 4"

©2005

FOR COMPLETE DETAILS RELATEDTO POLICE WEEK 2005, PLEASEVISIT WWW.POLICEWEEK.ORG.