Senate Judiciary Committee approves PSOB reform bill
The Senate Judiciary Committee amended and approved the Public Safety Officers ’ Benefits ( PSOB ) Improvement Act of 2016 on June 9 . The bill tackles the issues of transparency and the timeliness of case determinations , restores the “ substantial weight ” standard that requires PSOB to give substantial weight to the findings of federal , state and local agencies as to the cause of an officer ’ s death or disability and requires weekly and biannual public reports on the status of claims .
NAPO pushed for and supported four amendments to the bill , all of which were unanimously adopted by the Committee .
Senator John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) presented an amendment that returns the PSOB program to a presumptive benefit , putting the onus on the Bureau of Justice Assistance ( BJA ) – not the disabled officer or grieving loved ones – to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that an officer ’ s death or disability was not in the line of duty or due to gross negligence .
Ranking Member Patrick Leahy ( D-Vermont ) presented three additional amendments . The first extends the current age limitation for children to receive education benefits when the underlying benefit claim or education application is approved more than one year after it was filed . This ensures a child is eligible for education benefits if an adjudication delay causes him or her to age out of benefit eligibility before the claim is approved .
The second amendment ensures that the BJA uses all of its authorities , including its existing subpoena authority , to obtain necessary documentation from third parties before considering a claim abandoned .
The third amendment ensures all these provisions will apply retroactively to those claimants who currently are waiting to have their cases determined . With a backlog of over 1,000 cases , it is essential that
the provisions of the PSOB Improvement Act apply to claims that are currently pending as well .
NAPO presses President and Attorney General to prioritize extradition of cop-killers from Cuba
On June 9 , NAPO Executive Director Bill Johnson sent a second letter to President Barack Obama and Attorney General Loretta Lynch regarding the need to include the extradition of violent criminals as part of the U . S . reopening of diplomatic relations with Cuba .
The Department of Justice ( DOJ ) replied to the first letter stating that the apprehension of fugitives located abroad is a high priority and the DOJ is working to engage with Cuban authorities regarding the return of fugitives .
Joanne Chesimard ( now Assata Olugbala Shakur ) is the only woman on the FBI ’ s most wanted terrorist list for her role in the cold-blooded killing of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973 . The return of Chesimard from Cuba must be prioritized as part of the reestablishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries .
Homeland Security spending bill approved
On June 9 , the House Appropriations Homeland Security subcommittee approved the fiscal 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations bill , which funds FEMA and law enforcement anti-terrorism grants . The measure includes $ 467 million for the State Homeland Security Grant Program and $ 600 million for the Urban Area Security Initiative .
These grants help state and local law enforcement support Homeland Security ’ s mission to secure the U . S . by preventing and deterring terrorist attacks , and protecting against and responding to threats and hazards to the nation . d
22 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ JULY 2016