Monthly News From

COPS

Concerns of Police

Survivors, Inc.

May 2006

 

50,000 Signatures Needed For Affordable Health Care for Survivors!

         During National Police Week 2006, Concerns of Police Survivors would like to present 50,000 signatures on a petition to Congress to support H.R. 4424. The bill would allow surviving spouses and children of fallen public safety officers to purchase affordable, comprehensive health care through the Federal health care system.  This legislation would grandfather families as far back as 1976, the beginning of the Public Safety Officers Benefit program.

 

         With families paying over $900 per month, passage of this bill would allow these families to have better coverage at a more affordable cost.

 

         Please visit www.petitiononline.com/hr4424  to sign up NOW!  As of April 30 we had only 10,000 signatures.

 

The Force® Matching Donations to COPS During May

         The Force®, a maker of premium law enforcement and public safety uniforms and a division of VF Imagewear, Inc. will match contributions up to $20,000 made to Concerns of Police Survivors DURING THE MONTH OF MAY. Donations may be made on-line at the COPS website, or mailed to the COPS National Office, PO Box 3199, Camdenton, MO 65020. If you’ve ever considered a contribution to COPS, May is the month to make your donation - $5 becomes $10 for COPS; $100 becomes $200 for COPS!!!

 

         The Force® chose to support COPS in honor of Summit for Heroes 2006. Long a dream of Cops on Top, mountain climbers who honors fallen officers, expedition teams will summit the highest peaks in all 50 states on one day, May 20. Visit www.theforceonline.com/copsontop to learn more about Summit for Heroes 2006. More about Cops on Top expeditions can be found here.

 

National Police Week 2006

          

         The official observance of National Police Week is always the week that contains May 15. In 2006, those dates are May 14-20. The schedule for national activities, many of which will be held prior to May 14 in Washington, DC, is as follows:

 

         May 11 - Early arrival day

   May 12 - Official arrival day and check-in.

National Association of Police Organizations’ TOP COPS Awards®  Ceremony, Warner Theatre, Washington, DC

         May 13 - First day of the 2006 National Police Survivors' Conference and "C.O.P.S. Kids/Teens" activities.

         May 13 - Annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial sponsored by NLEOMF.

         May 14 - Second day of the 2006 National Police Survivors' Conference and "C.O.P.S. Kids/Teens" activities.

         May 14 - Troopers' Tour of the Capital for 2005 surviving families sponsored by State troopers’ associations.

                        Reception for survivors sponsored by the National Troopers’ Coalition, Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel.

         May 15 - National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, West Front, US Capitol, sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police Grand Lodge and Auxiliary.

         May 15 - Picnic in the Park for survivors.

         May 16 - Official departure day.

        

Flags Fly at Half Staff on May 15

         President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-322 which directs that the flag of the United States on all Government buildings be displayed at half-staff on May 15, National Peace Officers' Memorial Day.

 

National Police Week Proclamation

         For a Sample Proclamation that can be individualized for your municipality to recognize Police Week, visit http://www.nationalcops.org/Proclamation.htm.

 

COPS to Elect New Board in May

         Shirley A. Gibson, the first parent President of Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc., will step down as President during National Police Week 2006.  COPS would like to recognize her dedicated service, untiring commitment, and her unbelievable ability to connect with any survivor she meets.  Teresa Miyares, Gulf Region Trustee, will also step down after serving 5 years in that position.  COPS also thanks Ginni Wolf, Northern Seaboard Trustee, for her two years of service to the COPS Board.

 

COPS Board/Chapter Training

July 13-16, 2006, will find COPS Board Members meeting at the YMCA, Potosi, MO, with representatives of COPS’ 48 chapters discussing and learning about the paperwork that COPS and regulatory agencies require of chapters.  COPS expects approximately 65 people to attend the training.  Attendance is restricted to chapter representatives and pre-registration is mandatory.  Check the COPS website for additional information.        

 

Dates for COPS' 2006 Retreats

            Mark your calendars! Note that the Adult Children's Retreat has been moved to July to better accommodate college students’ schedules. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.nationalcops.org/forms.htm.

         Adult Children's Retreat, Potosi, MO

         July 7 through 10 – Registration deadline: June 7

 

         Summer Camp in Troy, WI

          July 31 through August 6 – Registration deadline: July 1

 

         Outward Bound® in Colorado

         July 31 through August 6 – Registration deadline: July 1

 

         Siblings Retreat, Potosi, MO

         September 8 through 11 – Registration deadline: August 8

 

         Spouses Weekend, Potosi, MO

         September 22 through 25 – Registration deadline: August 22

 

         Parents Retreat, Camdenton, MO

         October 6 through 9 – Registration deadline: September 6

 

         In-Laws Retreat, Potosi, MO

         October 20 through 23 – Registration deadline: September 20

 

         These programs are provided by National COPS at NO COST to survivors except their travel to attend. Last year, 471 survivors benefited from these programs at a cost to COPS  of $269,084. Your law enforcement organization or a business you know may want to consider sponsoring the cost of a survivor at one of these programs through a donation to COPS. Costs per attendee are:

         Adult Children Retreat                    -         $950

         “C.O.P.S. Kids” Summer Camp     -         $540

         Outward Bound®                           -      $1,600

         Siblings Retreat                               -         $590

         Spouses Retreat                             -         $575

         Parents Retreat                               -         $370

         In-Laws Retreat                             -         $590  

        

Small Departments Are Not Immune . . .But This One Was Prepared

         The COPS National Office was relieved when word came that Camdenton, MO, Officer Jerry Kempen will recover from being shot in a recent altercation. The off-duty, 15-year veteran was shot while attempting to apprehend a suspect who fled a vehicle to avoid arrest. The Camdenton Police Department is a 12-person force in a town with just over 2,500 population and is the home of the National Office of Concerns of Police Survivors. Camdenton Police Chief Laura Webster and Camden County Sheriff John Page are to be commended for responding to the situation in the appropriate manner, providing debriefings for the officers and a support meeting for their spouses. Both agencies have had representatives attend a COPS’ The Traumas of Law Enforcement training. 

 

May Run for Crime Victims Will Benefit COPS

         COPS and Crime Victims United of California will both benefit from the California Correctional Peace Officers Memorial Run for Crime Victims on May 20 at the California State Capital in Sacramento. Motorcycle-riding officers can email info@cpomr.com or queenofdiamonds@prisonbound.com for more information. 

 

Philadelphia Golf Outing to Benefit COPS

         A benefit Golf Outing is being planned for June in the Philadelphia area. The US Marshals Eastern District of Pennsylvania is hosting this benefit for COPS. For more information, contact Kenneth.Fechter@usdoj.gov.

 

California Peace Officer’s Association Golf Tournament Will Benefit COPS

         Each year the California Peace Officer's Association holds an annual training conference. Each year there is a charity golf tournament. The 2006 Charity Golf Tournament, to be held June 5, will benefit COPS. For more information, email John Standish at standishj@insurance.ca.gov.

 

Walkers Should Plan Now for COPS WALK 2006

         COPS WALK 2006 is scheduled for October 14-15.  Please plan to join us in the Washington, DC area for this physically challenging and emotionally rewarding experience.  Entry fee is $1,000 per walker. Get your sponsors now! For further information, contact Kam Flynn, Executive Director, USSS-ERA via email at: usssera@verizon.net. All proceeds benefit COPS.

 

COPSstore for National Police Week and COPS Merchandise

         National Police Week 2006 merchandise is available from COPSstore. Items featuring the names of fallen officers on the 2006 Roll Call of Heroes are now available. See the website at www.COPSstore.com for further details.  You may want to sign up for the COPSstore email list.

 

 

Concerns of Police Survivors has been awarded the "Best in America" seal of approval from Independent Charities of America. The Independent Charities Seal of Excellence is awarded to the members of Independent Charities of America and Local Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. These standards include those required by the US Government for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign, probably the most exclusive fund drive in the world. Of the 1,000,000 charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards, and, of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded this Seal.  Visit www.independentcharities.org

 

Charity Navigator has named Concerns of Police Survivors a Four Star Charity - "Exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its Cause." Visit www.charitynavigator.org.