Garden State Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 18, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and J.D. Vance (R-OH) introduced the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act, legislation aimed at guaranteeing proper retirement benefits for all federal law enforcement officers. U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the companion bill in the House earlier this year.

Thousands of federal law enforcement officers receive retirement benefits that recognize the level of training they undergo and the danger inherent in their profession. However, Congress excluded officers in certain federal agencies from these benefits despite performing the same duties as their counterparts. This bipartisan bill would remedy this unfairness and extend federal benefits to these deserving men and women in uniform.

“For far too long, many federal law enforcement officers who risk their lives to protect us have been unfairly denied the retirement benefits other officers receive,” said Senator Booker. “I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan bill that will rectify this disparity and ensure that the brave officers who selflessly serve in federal law enforcement receive the full benefits they rightfully deserve for their service and sacrifice.”

"Due to an unjust distinction in our laws, thousands of dedicated men and women in uniform are deprived of complete access to federal retirement benefits. This is unacceptable and needs to change," said Representative Pascrell, co-chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus. “I am thrilled that my friend and colleague Senator Cory Booker is leading this fight in the Senate. Our bipartisan bill will help fix this loophole, ensuring federal officers receive proper compensation for their service.”

“For too long, police officers have not received full access to their federal retirement benefits. After putting their lives on the line for us every day, it is essential we ensure we are protecting and providing for our heroes in law enforcement,” said Representative Garbarino. “I am proud to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to fix this loophole in the law and expand full federal benefits to our men and women in blue.”

“As the author of the recently enacted First Responder Fair RETIRE Act, I know the unintended consequences and potential harm caused by a technical loophole in the law and the importance of closing these loopholes to ensure that our first responders get the benefits they deserve. Federal law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day and should not be denied fair compensation and benefits due to a quirk in the law,” said Representative Connolly. “I am proud to support this vital legislation and thank Reps. Pascrell, Garbarino and Fitzpatrick for their leadership in fighting to restore full benefits to these heroes.”

“Thousands of federal law enforcement officers are denied the enhanced salary benefits that are given to federal employees, and this bipartisan legislation remedies this problem,” said Representative Fitzpatrick. “I’m proud to support our men and women in uniform who put themselves in harm’s way everyday to protect our communities.”

Currently, approximately 30,000 federal law enforcement officers are deprived of enhanced retirement benefits under federal law – including certain officers working within the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Mint, National Institutes of Health, the Federal Protective Service, and many other agencies – despite shouldering similar responsibilities and encountering comparable risks as their counterparts.

The Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act, in particular, accomplishes the following:

1. Provides federal officers with 6(c) retirement benefits, enabling them to retire after 20 years of service at the age of 50 or after 25 years of service at any age.
2. Recognizes federal service performed by incumbent law enforcement officers after the enactment of this Act as service rendered as a law enforcement officer for retirement purposes.
3. Requires that past service of these incumbent law enforcement officers be treated as service performed as a law enforcement officer for retirement purposes, provided a written election is submitted to the Office of Personnel Management within five years after the Act's enactment or before separation from government service, whichever comes first.
4. Expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" for retirement benefits to encompass all GS-0083 officers. This adjustment would extend law enforcement officer status to employees authorized to carry firearms and engaged in the investigation and/or apprehension of suspected criminals, employees of the Internal Revenue Service whose primary duties involve the collection of delinquent taxes and securing delinquent returns, employees of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs serving as department police officers.

“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 salary and retirement benefits, which are known as 6(c) benefits. However, because of regulatory inconsistencies, nearly 30,000 Federal law enforcement officers do not receive these benefits because they are not recognized as law enforcement officers. Yet they have the same training, the same duties, and face the same dangers as every other Federal officer. This bill will ensure that all Federal law enforcement officers receive the same benefits when they retire. The FOP is grateful to Senators Booker and Vance for re-introducing this legislation and we look forward to working with them in the months ahead,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police.

“This legislation is absolutely critical to the federal law enforcement community and essential to maintaining a strong talent pipeline across federal agencies. Across some 65 agencies federal law enforcement officers and agents undergo similar training, have similar arrest authorities, and use similar investigative techniques tailored to their agency’s mission. Most importantly, they all put their lives on the line for the safety and security of the American people. Despite the many things that unify federal law enforcement regardless of agency, there is a great divide between the pay and benefits available to certain federal law enforcement due to an archaic definition of what it means to be a ‘law enforcement officer’ under federal retirement law. It is time for a change that creates parity across the federal law enforcement community. We applaud Senator Booker and Senator Vance for introducing this bipartisan bill and look to supporting its passage into law,” said Larry Cosme, President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

“The Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act expands the definition of ‘law enforcement officer’ for retirement purposes to ensure that all federal law enforcement officers, no matter what their classification, are treated equally regarding retirement benefits. With all federal law enforcement officers eligible for the same enhanced retirement benefits, it will improve the ability of agencies to recruit and retain experienced and highly trained officers. This is vital at a time when law enforcement agencies across the nation are experiencing recruitment and retention issues. NAPO looks forward to working with Senators Booker and Vance on this important legislation,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations.

“AFGE thanks Senator Booker and Senator Vance for reintroducing the ‘Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act,’ now titled in the Senate the ‘Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act.’ This bill will bring much needed parity for federal law enforcement officers’ retirement benefits at the VA, DoD and other agencies. This bill will improve recruitment and retention at federal agencies where law enforcement officers currently do not receive the same retirement benefits as their sisters and brothers at other agencies” said Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees.

The bill is endorsed by the following organizations: Fraternal Order of Police, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Police Organizations, American Federation of Government Employees.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

Original source can be found here.