IBPO Keeps Promise, Meets with Navy, Politicians to Help DoD Police
December 22, 2009
Keeping a promise they made to officers working for the Department of Defense in Virginia, IBPO leaders met recently with Navy brass and a local congressman to work on issues affecting DoD cops.
IBPO National President David J. Holway, National Vice President Paul Birks, National Executive Board Member Mike McKenna, and IBPO Local 800 President Steve Guercio met with CPT John Fristachi, USN, the program manager of public safety for the area. Also part of the talks was Rep. Glenn Nye (D-Virginia), the congressional representative from the area that includes the massive Navy base along Virginia’s shore. The group discussed several subjects of concern to the members of IBPO Local 800, including recognition for the local, the status of DoD police officers, the appointment of a civilian chief of police to oversee officers, and the difficulties they face on the job because of a lack of authority and official police credentials.
“The commander assured us that he would work with Brother Guercio and the members of Local 800 to improve conditions there for them,” said President Holway. “We’ll also have a meeting in the not-too-distant future with the admiral, as well.”
“I can’t tell you how much it means to us to have this kind of action from our national,” said Guercio. “The IBPO promised that they would go to bat for us if we voted to join, and they held true to their word.”