NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLICE ORGANIZATIONS INC

LEGISLATIVE POLICIES AND MEMBER SERVICES: THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS--AMERICAS FINEST-- HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL ACTION IN THE NATIONS CAPITAL, WASHINGTON, D.C. FROM ISSUES OF FEDERAL FUNDING OF STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ANTI-TERRORISM EFFORTS TO FEDERAL POLICY ON EMPLOYEE HEALTH, PENSION AND OTHER BENEFITS, THE ACTIONS OF CONGRESS AND ADMINISTRATION SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT PUBLIC SAFETY INTERESTS. THESE INTERESTS MUST BE VIGOROUSLY PROTECTED IN LIGHT OF THE VITAL ROLE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PLAY IN MAINTAINING THE PEACE AND SECURITY OF AMERICAN SOCIETY. THIS IS WHERE NAPO COMES IN. NAPO HAS ACHIEVED A NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR ITS CONSTITUENTS. IT HAS ALSO DEFEATED EFFORTS WHICH WOULD HAVE SERIOUSLY UNDERMINED LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERESTS. HIGHLIGHTS OF PAST EFFORTS INCLUDE: -THE JAMES ZAGRODA 9/11 HEALTH AND COMPENSATION ACT OF 2010 -THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SAFETY ACT (RIGHT TO CARRY LEGISLATION) -THE POLICE, FIRE AND EMERGENCY OFFICERS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT -LEGISLATION THAT RAISED FUNDS FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS BENEFIT (PSOB) FOR OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. -HEALTHCARE ENHANCEMENT FOR LOCAL PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS RETIREES ACT HIGHLIGHTS OF CURRENT EFFORTS INCLUDE: -INCREASED PUNISHMENT FOR CRIMES AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND INCREASED OFFICER PROTECTIONS. -FULL FUNDING FOR VITAL STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENTS OF JUSTICE AND HOMELAND SECURITY, PARTICULARLY THE COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES (COPS) HIRING PROGRAM, BYRNE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (BYRNE-JAG) PROGRAM, AND BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP (BVP) GRANT PROGRAM -PROTECTION OF OFFICERS PENSION, HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS -INCREASED ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND TRAINING FOR OFFICERS WHO ENCOUNTER MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS -REPEAL OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 13688 AND RESTORATION OF STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCESS TO MILITARY SURPLUS EQUIPMENT -OFFICER-WORN BODY CAMERAS POLICIES -PROTECTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERESTS IN PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS PRIVACY ACT -GANG DETERRENCE AND PREVENTION -SUPPORT/OPPOSE JUDICIAL AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH NOMINATIONS BASED ON EVALUATIONS OF THE NOMINEES MERITS IN REGARDS TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY.

CONVENTION: NAPO HOLDS AN ANNUAL CONVENTION WHERE DELGATES TAKE ACTION TO ESTABLISH NAPOS LEGISLATIVE GOALS AND PRIORITIES. ALSO, IN ELECTION YEARS, DELEGATES ISSUE ENDORSEMENTS OF CANDIDATES FOR NATIONAL AND CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES WHO HAVE EARNED LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT.