COVID-19 Activity Updates

The National Legislative Office provided FOP members with information, released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which provides guidance on Management of COVID-19 in Correctional and Detention Facilities. To view this information, please click here.

The National Legislative Office provided FOP members with information for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) newly created Rumor Control page, which provides ground truth on rumors and facts.  To view this information, please click here.

Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Jeffrey R. Favitta, Assistant Senior Law Enforcement Advisor to the Attorney General, regarding a range of problems that are confronting state and local law enforcement due to COVID-19. Executive Director Pasco thanked him again for Attorney General Barr’s support for the issuance of new PSOB guidelines.

National President Patrick Yoes and Executive Director Jim Pasco had a conference call with Chad F. Wolf, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), regarding an update on DHS efforts to combat COVID-19 and ways in which DHS can be helpful. President Yoes thanked Secretary Wolf for the efforts of Deputy Assistant Secretary Brian Dorow and Dr. Alex L. Eastman, who worked to develop the best practices guide entitled “COVID-19 Exposure and Risk Mitigation Best Practices for Law Enforcement.” President Yoes asked Secretary Wolf if DHS could intercede on the matter of potential furloughs of law enforcement officers, as many cities’ resources have become restricted due to the virus.

National President Patrick Yoes applauded President Trump for today’s announcement that law enforcement and other public safety officers who file a death benefit claim through the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit (PSOB) program for a COVID-19-related death will be found by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to have contracted the disease in the line of duty in most cases. To view the statement, please click here. To view the announcement from BJA, please click here.

The National Legislative Office provided FOP members with a memorandum, issued by U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr to the Bureau of Prisons, regarding the challenge of protecting the public and incarcerated offenders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our members should direct their attention to Section II of this document, which underscores General Barr’s concern for the safety of the men and women in law enforcement during this crisis. To view the memorandum, please click here.

Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Michael Costigan, Acting Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), regarding the processing of PSOB claims moving forward. It was a very encouraging call.

Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Jim Bugel, Vice President of AT&T’s FirstNet program, regarding a special front-of-the-line program for FOP members seeking new or replacement phones or devices during the COVID-19 pandemic. All transactions will be conducted online or by phone call with expedited delivery to FOP members. Details will be posted shortly.

Executive Director Jim Pasco had an extended conversation with Katie Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), regarding the issuance of new PSOB guidelines (as outlined in the FOP’s request to Attorney General Barr on March 31) mandating that law enforcement officers and firefighters who contract COVID-19 are presumed to have contracted the virus in the line of duty for PSOB purposes. During the conversation, the FOP emphasized its deep appreciation to the President and the U.S. Department of Justice, under the leadership of Attorney General William P. Barr, for the prompt action on our request.

National President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to FOP members regarding important information on proposals made by members of Congress to address the current crisis. To view the letter, please click here.

At the specific request of the FOP and following Executive Director Jim Pasco’s conference call on Saturday, April 4, Brian Dorow, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office for State and Local Law Enforcement (OSLLE), DHS; Dr. Alex L. Eastman, Senior Medical Officer—Operations, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and an active officer with the Dallas Police Department and a proud member of the FOP; and Lori Sims, Management Project Analyst with the OSLLE, developed a best practices guide entitled “COVID-19 Exposure and Risk Mitigation Best Practices for Law Enforcement.” 

These guidelines address the patchwork of approaches to handling officer exposure issues at the state and local level. Deputy Assistant Secretary Dorow and Dr. Eastman promised the FOP that they would work to develop and release model policies and best practices for local and state law enforcement and have delivered on that commitment and we greatly appreciate their efforts and their support for our men and women in the field. To view this information, please click here.

National President Patrick Yoes called on Congress to pass the Social Security Fairness Act to boost the economy and help older, vulnerable retirees. To view the press release, please click here.