Letter from the IBPO to Mass. State Representatives Urging Support of the O'Day Amendment
January 4, 2010
Dear Representative:
In tough fiscal times, legislators are sometimes asked to vote on financial issues without an adequate understanding of how their vote will impact our citizens and our communities. The International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO) believes you took such an action when you voted to eliminate the police career incentive program for all newly hired police officers.
We know you have heard about this issue from many police organizations, as well as from members of your local police departments.
Today we are asking you to remedy this mistake by supporting and signing on to the House amendment filed by Rep. James O'Day on behalf of the IBPO.
This amendment does not seek to increase Quinn Bill funding for Fiscal Year 2010; we are simply seeking to make all police officers eligible for the career incentive program to ensure the safety of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the future. We are asking you to take a step back and to consider the positive impact this program has had, and the negative impact its elimination will have, on the police profession in the Commonwealth.
Ask yourself these important questions: Who do you want responding to a life-threatening or other serious situation at your home involving your family? Do you want a disengaged, disgruntled, undereducated and underpaid individual responding? Or would you want a highly educated, well trained, and highly qualified professional police officer who knows what to do and how to do it, resulting in a more favorable outcome for you and your family?
Please do not discount the value you have placed on the police career incentive program in the past and the difference it has made for our Commonwealth. Please do not eliminate the potential that the Quinn Bill will offer future police officers.
We are also asking you to stand up for this amendment to the education bill on this important education issue, and to insist that a vote be taken to show the public and the police community that you care about the future of public safety in Massachusetts.
This is not a money issue. In a time of high crime and terror, this is an issue of great importance to you, your neighbors, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Sincerely,
Ray McGrath, Legislative Director
International Brotherhood of Police Officers