Obama Proposes Cuts To Survivor Benefits?
Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
Administration Proposes Significant Cuts to Benefits of Slain Officers
As I sat drinking my first cup of coffee this morning, scanning the morning news online as I do each weekday, I saw the headline suggesting our President is proposing to cut survivor benefits to the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. My very first thought was: Police Week starts Sunday. He’s really not announcing this now, right?
For the past several weeks we at Officer.com have been preparing for Police Week. Within the community we serve - law enforcement professionals and all who support them - it is one of the biggest events each year. The Candlelight Vigil being held on Wednesday, May 13th, is the single most emotionally moving event a police officer or deputy can attend in memory and honor of fallen brothers and sisters.
Surely… surely our President isn’t choosing now to announce that he wants to cut back on benefits provided to the surviving family members of those law enforcement professionals who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting and serving the communities across our country? Apparently I am wrong; and apparently he is doing exactly that.
President Obama (not that I expect you to actually ever read this although I am hopeful you’ll get a five second brief about it from some super-junior-level aid):
Over 900,000 law enforcement professionals support, protect and serve domestic peace every day in this great nation of ours.
Every day, every shift, those officers don a uniform, put on armor, pull on an equipment belt, pin on a badge or a star, and go to work.
Every day, every shift, the families of those officers hug and kiss them goodbye and remain hopeful that they’ll see that loved one again in eight to twelve hours - however long that officer’s shift is.
The unfortunate reality is that over 130 families in 2008 didn’t get to see their loved one alive again. That loved one; that dedicated officer; that HERO gave everything in the course of “just doing his/her job”.
For decades our country has recognized the justice in and need for supporting those surviving family members: the husbands, wives and children of the fallen officers. How can you, in good conscience, now try to cut back on the support provided to those surviving family members?
President Obama, you came into office under a cloud of doubt about how you viewed officers. That cloud of doubt may or may not have been justified but one thing is certain: if you continue on this course of action then the message you are sending to all of the law enforcement community is clear - and it’s not one of care, concern, support or appreciation.
President Obama, THINK about what you are doing and all the implications it carries. THIS is not something to be done - and surely not to be announced just a few days before Police Week starts.
To everyone reading this I ask: SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW WHO MIGHT CARE. Ask them to come read it and add their comments. THIS is a topic that needs to be addressed in a strong way.
Stay safe.
Frank Borelli
Editor-In-Chief
Officer.com
Having just retired after 30 years in law enforcement, I am not surprised at all that Barry is taking such action. I lost four very good friends throughout my career and I was second on the scene of the last fatal. Obama is providing Pell grants for the unemployed to go back to school and yet cuts benefits to those that keep America safe in our homes. It won’t be long before he cuts benefits to our military who give the ultimate sacrifice. To all my brothers and sisters in law enforcemnt: Please, please be careful out there. We know the majority of America supports you but unfortunately, Obama is not one of them.
How can anyone be surprised that Obama is planning on cutting benefits to the families of the fallen? After all the one who sacrificed everything actually worked, and he needs all the money he can get for those to lazy to actually work.
Sorry, but this kind of crap really gets me worked up.
Can’t say the news comes as a surprise…a slap in the face,yes, but not a surprise. I guess this is one of those “going through the budget with a scalpel” things, huh? The timing could pretty much not have been worse. I’m sure Mr. Obama doesn’t know when Police Week is, nor does he care, but you’d have thought one of his handlers might’ve mentioned it…the guy’s first name oughta be Stanley, ‘cuz he sure is a tool.
As this is brought up please take a second to think of how many survivors families have actually recieved these funds in a timely manor and how many are still waiting. Both deceased and permanently disables officers are eligable for these funds many wait years if they ever receive them at all. The system is confusing, unclear and is no means there to help those that need the funds in a timely way. I will never forget the academy class where i was told that if anything ever happened to me to at least know my family would be taken care of through the federal funds and other programs. I have seen how these programs work to help the families of survivors i have met some families who have been waiting upwards of 5 years. This is a TRAVESTY and must be fixed. Make sure you take the necessary steps to protect with yoru own insurances as well and keep the information in a place where yoru family can access it if it is needed.
NEVER FORGET OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO HAVE PASSED ON IN THE LINE OF DUTY, OR THOSE PERMANENTLY DISABLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. FIGHT THE FIGHT THEY NO LONGER CAN, IT IS WHAT WE DO AS A FAMILY.
NEVER FORGET.
Stay Safe.
First it was Port-Potties on a Police Memorial, now lets punish the families of Officers who make the Ultimate Sacrifice.
I was forced out after 30 years of service to my agency, due to line of duty injuries. In that time I have been to too many Officers funerals and wakes, including most of those from the World Trade Center. I not only went to services of those in the New York City Area, but many outside the state. I know one thing, no matter what the uniform, agency or jurisdiction, when one Brother or Sister goes down we all feel the pain.
I hope that POTUS,and AG Holder reconsder this so called money saving idea, you can’t put a price on sacrifice.
LET US REMEMBER ALL OFFICERS WHO HAVE FALLEN AND THOSE WHO ARE DISABLED, THIS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK.
From the article: “…The proposed reduction to $60 million pertains to a projection for the Justice Department’s planning purposes and last year’s figure was high because it included a number of families that weren’t in the system before, Justice spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz said.
“‘Any family member who is eligible for benefits under this program will receive them,’ she said. ‘If the amount of claims surpasses the amount requested, the program will be further funded.’”
It damn well better be, dearie. But, what does it say about your boss - the same boss who wanted wounded combat vets to use their Blue Cross / Blue Shield to pay for their VA bills - that we are not inclined to believe you?
I remember reading about the peace protestors of the ’60s and the Hollow Army of the ’70s. The guy observed that it was not surprising. “A nation that despises its Soldiers will all too soon find itself with a despicable Army.” Seems the man occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW is trying to put that to the test. He’s even expanding it to, “A nation that despises its cops will all too soon find itself with despicable police forces…”
I dare hope the man will be seeking new employment in 2012….
This is a total slap in the face to all Law Enforcement and their families. I have yet to learn about the justification of this but to me there is none. I am in Law Enforcement and am severly disappointed in Mr. Obama as the leader of our Nation.
This does not surprise me abit.What do we think when OUR supposed leader appoligizes for OUR COUNTRY,cuts spending for the Milatary,exspects hard working professionals to pay for those who are not willing to work nor care to ever work.When the people fear the Goverment there is tyranny–When the Goverment fears the people there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson Defination of tyranny–A goverment in which a single ruler is vested with absolute power.Absolute power,especially when exercised unjustly or cruelly.I think every-body gets the idea.GOD BLESS THE PEACEKEEPERS OF THE WORLD FOR GOD IS ON OUR SIDE!!! THANK YOU AND BE SAFE!!
“A people only get a government that they deserve.”
When we allow impostors to lead our country, we allow him to tread on us.
I returned from DC this afternoon. Some friends and I flew down there on Wednesday to attend the event as we have before - about 7 or 8 times over the past 13 years. As always it was a deeply moving experience. We will most likely be there next year, especially since one of our own (Suffolk County, NY) was killed in February. Not only is his disdain for the police community apparent with these proposed cuts, but he found it more important to meet with the Phillies yesterday afternoon than to attend the ceremony on the Capital lawn - his own backyard. And no…he didn’t cut anyone’s benefits, but it’s comforting to know that they don’t expect as many line of duty deaths this year. That will make us all feel better going to work tomorrow.
Not only is he not cutting the funds for payouts he is providing funds to other police functions to keep Policemen working and save jobs.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which I recently signed, makes $4 billion available for State and local law enforcement. This provision will save or create thousands of law enforcement jobs across the country through the revitalized Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Recovery Program. The Recovery Act also provides $2 billion through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-Peace-Officers-Memorial-Day-and-Police-Week/
This information has been debunked by FOP, NLEOMF, IACP, NSA and every other LE group in the country. No benefits are being cut. In fact, any eligible claim WILL be paid. Check the websites of the aforementioned agency for the press release announcing the correction.