Loading...
56 of 1973 - A resolution supporting H.R. 8992 Bill amending the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 19 • . } Resolution No. 56 l 7:. i r, 1I I,gy'Tetunnps ps,Tr. I I y I I COMMI BIONQI I 'Supporting H.R. 8992 Bill amending i1 'the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe' I ;Streets Act of 1968, to provide benefit Itrt survivors of police officers killed in [the line of duty, and urging the U.S. 11CoY4gzess to take action to grant this ' type of relief. III i Presented to the Board of Commissions AND PASSED OCT111 3 ' CITY RECO• ' .i II . 14 1 Ij a p, I I if.:::____, ________ I; 1i 2311 DISTRICT EDER BULDING Contt oof ttje 1E1,liteb'tHteo uUDICIARYM gees wno suacoN Nlrrees STATE AT FIRST SOUTH COURTS.CIVIL LIBERTIES. SALT LAKE CITY,DYAN 6913R douse at IReprebentatibeg - AND NE ADNINI:rRATIDN ..w� fF STICE CRIME 188 NowTInLM NIN FEDERAL PurA .. Ian RDryin$Wn,la•C• 20515 INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS TOON.,UTAM 89079 Tn.(202)228-3011 PueLlc LANDS MI)882-9399 MINES AND MMIND NATIONAL PARRS ANu RECREATION SurtE No.2 WAYNE OWENS ENviROnNENT 79 NORTH 100 WEST 2u DISTRICT,UTAM INDIAN AFrolea CEDAR CITY.UTAH 84720 (801)886-9453 October 24, 1973 Mr. Herman J. Hogensen Salt Lake City Corporation Office of City Recorder 200 City & County Building Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Dear Mr. Hogensen: Thank you for your letter of October 12 informing me of your support for H.R. 8982. I will give this bill my full support when it comes to the floor of the House for a vote. I have, in fact, introduced identical legislation and testified in its behalf. I am enclosing a copy of my testi- mony before the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citi- zenship and International Law for your information. Law enforcement officers perform a critical function in our society, and deserve much greater benefits than they now receive. Thanks again for writing and if I can be of any future assistance in any of the important matters facing Congress, please don't hesitate to write. With all best wishes, Sincerely, Alp) Wayne Owens Enclosure MADE WITH RECYCLED FIBERS STATENENT OF THE ?ONOPABLE TIAYNE OMENS IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 7271* Hr. Chairman, Ilemhers of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to he here this morning to testify in support of N.R. 7271, which I introduced, and similar bills which are before you, to provide benefits to surviv- ors of public safety officers who die in the performance of their duty. I would like to consider what it is we call unon our public safety officers to do, and what rewards they are offered for carrying out these duties. Firemen, including members of organized volunteer fire departments, put their lives on the line each time they answer a call to put out a fire. In order to protect the property an'l of others, they a expose themselves to a constant risk of injury and death. And yet, we expect to attract intelligent men of courage and skill to this danger- ous profession, by paying then less, sometimes, than garbage collectors. and making almost no provision for the security of their wives and dependents in the event that tragedy claims their lives. Similarly, that policemen risk their lives daily in safeguarding the rights, property, and lives of all citizens is too plain to require ,such elaboration. A law enforcement officer engaged in an attempt to apprehend persons sought for the commission of a crime, or as a. mater- ial witness to a crime; or engaged in guarding a person accused of a crime or held as a material witness; or engaged in the prevention of the commission of a crime; or in numerous other ways, in the perform- ance of his duty, risks death resulting from some criminal act. o?onetheless, we too often overlook the extremely broad range of s?:ills a policeman must acquire. 7 is required to be an expert in te 1a',, and in psychology; a protector of public safety; a prosecutor of crime; a guardian of civil liberty. And yet, instead of universal respect, the community and its politicians treat policemen ambivalently, al,i frequently as a scapegoat for the problems of crime. Forty years ago August Vollmer, a former police chief who became the first professor of police administration in America, said: The policeman is denounced by the public, criticized by preachers, ridiculed in the movies, berated by the newsnaners and unsuonorted l,y prosecuting officers and judges. "_e is shunned by the re- spcctables, hated by criminal.. daceived by everyone, kicked around like a football by brainless or crooked politician,. Pe is ennosed to countless temptations and ,.angers, condemned when be enforces the law and dismissed when he doesn't. he is supposed to possess the qualifications of a soldier, doctor, lawyer, diplomat, °Testimony before the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and International Law, July 25, 1973. and educator, with remuneration less than a daily laborer. How many of us could fulfill the demands of this super-human role? The quality of the entire criminal justice system turns on the quality or t a police. C'.?,ri ly, we need the ability to recruit and retain as police officers col.l(re r.radnates as well as bi^h school "ra-loates. If it is to 7'o oossihle to do that, and in nur,,,ers sufficient to meet 7eresent and future pees, _ thee ',enofits offered policemen. must lust be nro'rossive aT.''. co71sOt .tive with those offered by other professions seei;i•..u' to emlloy poo',lo of the same talent. Ina•:.eo'iate compensation has two effects upon the ability to recruit and retain people for this profession. First, it_uakos iainos- n sible the task of attracting sufficient people of the caliber retuired to verform one of the most difficult an; important functions of our. society. Second, it is taken as evidence of the contempt in which police are held by the public and Politicians. There is a desperate need to attract peoale to the rant-.s of our police departments. A mojority of the police step artments in I:hr: country are operating below authorized strr:-'tth. Turnover is an even greater problem than recruitment. And we must face the fact that the mass of police officers recruited just after -1orld year II will reach retirement aqe at the end of this decade. :`r. Chairman, the need for eveetmen.t of the kind of lepislati.on before the fubcol.vsitteo today is tbns -•'o'old, It is clearly required to .provide a measure of s erity for t- e families of those "u.bli_'r sa'sty officerswho ^. . are :;ol;".� to ;.os, t,,,,�.r lives '71•ll e '>ox•;;,ii.n^ ,, hlic duties. 'lacause those =11ti2; ste th iorl act" officers is a ,'irect a v' inestimble. benefit to all citim.„Ts-- t s is entirely a',nrooriate that the to•,';_„ss srovi,'e funds For -. • of a•.rcb families. In addition, i t'eve tried to point Cu': twit 1e^,islation, by creetin^ an i'mor.t^.::•i: new financial i_psentes to 'rom.s a1 public safety officer, is also needed to correct a deoltole • 1.1 ,1'o roue situation. That is, we lave eretofr,ee failed. to . ;for rewards ansl benefits comensurate with the risks and r''i rs .ills remt:ired in two ,ro`essiona .These health is vital. to t' o= us all. Unless we act to correct this situation, we '7.• .'• Lousy for our east noplect, not merely in dollars whose can's will 1.ar oat;t_rie the cost under this bill, but in the far Barrier coi_'_mape of spar and human suffering Finally, `1r. Chairman, I 'mould l:,.e to ur'e the f'tbcor'r'ittee to levorably consider an amendment to these bills, close effect wool.° o t'o r goire nay-ment of a ., 'em identic'!l. to the 1'eath benefit, to safety officers t'h.) as t',o result of a personalu ;; inj r..y sustained ,ned in tbs earforn.'uece of ,''it•r become Permanently coil totally 'l.issb 1.^a. ;ocit ice and their families staa:i in ncc,1 of the same provision for their security as survivors of public safety officers who die in the 'm.rformance of their duty. STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE WAYNE OWENS MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE, I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE THIS MORNING TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF IH.H. 727f, WHICH I INTRODUCED, AND SIMILAR BILLS WHICH ARE BEFORE YOU, TO PROVIDE BENEFITS TO SURVIVORS OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS WHO DIE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTY. 0 I WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER WHAT IT IS WE CALL UPON OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS TO DO, AND WHAT REWARDS THEY ARE OF- FERED FOR CARRYING OUT THESE DUTIES, FIREMEN, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF ORGANIZED VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS, PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EACH TIME THEY ANSWER A CALL TO PUT OUT A FIRE, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PROPERTY AND LIVES OF OTHERS, THEY EXPOSE THEMSELVES TO A CONSTANT RISK OF INJURY AND DEATH. AND YET, WE EXPECT TO ATTRACT INTELLIGENT MEN OF COURAGE AND SKILL TO THIS DANGEROUS PROFESSION, BY PAYING THEM LESS SOMETIMES, THAN GARBAGE COL- LECTORS AND MAKING ALMOST NO PROVISION FOR THE SECURITY OF THEIR WIVES AND DEPENDENTS IN THE EVENT THAT TRAGEDY CLAIMS THEIR LIVES. SIMILARLY, THAT POLICEMEN RISK THEIR LIVES DAILY IN SAFEGUARDING THE RIGHTS, PROPERTY, AND LIVES OF ALL CITIZENS IS TOO PLAIN TO REQUIRE MUCH ELABORATION. A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ENGAGED IN AN ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND PERSONS SOUGHT FOR THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME, OR AS A MATERIAL WITNESS TO A CRIME; OR ENGAGED IN GUARDING A PERSON ACCUSED OF A CRIME OR HELD AS A MATERIAL WITNESS; OR ENGAGED IN THE PREVENTION OF THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME; OR IN NUMEROUS OTHER WAYS, IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTY, RISKS DEATH RESULTING FROM SOME CRIMINAL ACT, NONETHELESS, WE T00 OFTEN OVERLOOK THE EXTREMELY BROAD RANGE OF SKILLS A POLICEMAN MUST ACQUIRE, HE IS RE- QUIRED TO BE AN EXPERT IN THE LAW, AND IN PSYCHOLOGY; A PRO- _TECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY; A PROSECUTOR--OF-CRIME; A-GUARDIAN o OF CIVIL LIBERTY, AND YET, INSTEAD OF UNIVERSAL RESPECT, THE COMMUNITY AND ITS POLITICIANS TREAT POLICEMEN AMBIVALENTLY, AND FREQUENTLY AS A SCAPEGOAT FOR THE PROBLEMS OF CRIME, FORTY YEARS AGO AUGUST VOLLMER, A FORMER POLICE CHIEF WHO BECAME THE FIRST PROFESSOR OF POLICE ADMINISTRATION IN AMERICA, SAID: THE POLICEMAN IS DENOUNCED BY THE PUBLIC, CRITICIZED BY PREACHERS, RIDICULED IN THE MOVIES, BERATED BY THE NEWSPAPERS AND UNSUPPORTED BY PROSECUTING OFFICERS AND JUDGES, HE IS SHUNNED BY THE RESPECTABLES, HATED BY CRIMINALS, DECEIVED BY EVERYONE, KICKED AROUND LIKE A FOOTBALL BY BRAINLESS OR CROOKED POLITICIANS, rF IS EXPOSED TO COUNTLESS TEMPTATIONS AND DANGERS, CON- DEMNED WHEN HE ENFORCES THE LAW AND DISMISSED WHEN HE DOESN'T, HE IS SUPPOSED TO POSSESS THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A SOLDIER, DOCTOR, LAWYER, DIPLOMAT AND EDUCATOR, WITH REMUNERATION LESS THAN A DAILY LABORER, HOW MANY OF US COULD 'FULFILL THE DEMANDS OF THIS SUPER- HUMAN ROLE? THE QUALITY OF TIIE ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TURNS ON THE QUALITY OF THE POLICE, CLEARLY, WE NEED THE ABILITY TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN AS POLICE OFFICERS COLLEGE GRADUATES AS WELL AS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES. IF IT IS TO RE POSSIBLE TO DO THAT) AHD IN NUMPERS SUFFICIENT TO MEET PRESENT AND FUTURE NEEDS, THEN BENEFITS OFFERED POLICEMEN MUST BE PROGRESSIVE AND COMPE- TITIVE WITH THOSE OFFERED BY OTHER PROFESSIONS SEEKING TO EMPLOY PEOPLE OF THE SAME TALENT. INADEQUATE COMPENSATION HAS TWO EFFECTS UPON THE APILITY TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN PEOPLE FOR THIS PROFESSION. FIRST, IT MAKES IMPOSSIBLE THE TASK OF ATTRACTING SUFFICIENT PEOPLE OF THE CALIBER REQUIRED TO PERFORM ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT AND IMPOR- TANT FUNCTIONS OF OUR SOCIETY. SECOND, IT IS TAKEN AS EVIDENCE OF THE CONTEMPT IN WHICH POLICE ARE HELD BY THE PUBLIC AND POLITICIANS. THERE IS A DESPERATE NEED TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO THE RANKS OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENTS. A MAJORITY OF THE POLICE DEPARTIIFHTS IN THE COUNTRY ARE OPERATING BELOW AUTHORIZED STRENGTH, TURN- OVER IS AN EVEN GREATER PROBLEM THAN RECRUITMENT. AND WE MUST FACE THE FACT THAT THE MASS OF POLICE OFFICERS RECRUITED JUST AFTER WORLD WAR II WILL REACH RETIREMENT AGE AT THE END OF THIS DECADE, MR. CHAIRMAN, THE NEED FOR ENACTMENT OF THE KIND OF LEGIS- LATION BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE TODAY IS THUS TWOFOLD. IT IS CLEARLY REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A MEASURE OF SECURITY FOR THE FAMILIES OF THOSE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS WHO ARE GOING TO LOSE THEIR LIVES WHILE PURSUING PUBLIC DUTIES. BECAUSE THOSE DUTIES ARE PUBLIC--BECAUSE THE WORK OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS IS A DIRECT AND INESTIMABLE BENEFIT TO ALL CITIZENS--IT IS ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE THAT THE CONGRESS PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE NEEDS OF SUCH FAMILIES. IN ADDITION, I NAVE TRIED TO POINT OUT THAT THIS LEGISLATION, BY CREATING AN- IJ1PORTANT NEW FINANCIAL IN- CENTIVE_ TO BECOME A PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER, IS ALSO NEED TO CORRECT A DEPLORABLE AND DANGEROUS SITUATION, THAT IS, WE HAVE HERETOFORE FAILED TO OFFER FINANCIAL REWARDS AND BENEFITS COMMENSURATE WITH THE RISKS AND RANGE OF SKILLS REQUIRED IN TWO PROFESSIONS WHOSE HEALTH) IS VITAL TO THE SAFETY OF IJS ALL. UN- LESS WE ACT TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION, WE SHALL HAVE TO PAY FOR OUR PAST NEGLECT, NOT MERELY IN DOLLARS WHOSE SUMS WILL EAR OUT- STRIP THE COST UNDER THIS BILL, BUT IN THE FAR HARDER COINAGE OF FEAR AND IIUMAII SUFFERIi1G. FINALLY, MR. CHAIRMAN, I WfhhlJ) LIKE TO URGE THE III; COMMITTEE FAVORABLY TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO THESE BILKS, WHOSE EFFECT WOULD BE TO RFOI IRE PAYMENT OF A SUM IDENTIGAI. TO THE DEATH BENEFIT, TO PHIILIC SAFETY OFFICERS 11110 AS Ills Or- SOLT OF A PERSONAL INJURY SUSTAINED IN THE PERFORMANCE Br DUTY BECOME PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABI_ED. SUCH MEN AHD -THEIR FAMILIES STAND IN NEED OF THE SAME PROVISION FOR THEIR SECURITY AS SURVIVORS OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS WHO DIE III THE PERFORMAHC OF THEIR DUTY. October 12, 1973 Rouse of Representatives Speaker-Carl Albert The Capitol Washington,D. C. 20313 Dear Sir: Enclosed is a copy of a Resolution passed by the Board of Com- missioners of Salt Lake City,Utah, supporting li R. 11992 Bill amending the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 196s, to provide benefits to survivors of police officers killed in the line of duty. It is respectfully requested that you give this matter your earnest consideration and urge passage of this Bill. Respectfully, OOtt r; . .".J City Rotor ' Enclosure-1- October 12,1973 The Honorable D. Wayne Owens United States Representative for Utah Cannon Office Building Washington. D. C. 20515 Dear Representative Owens: Enclosed is a copy of a Resolution passed by the Board of Com- missioners of Salt Lake City, Utah, supporting H. R. 8992 Bill, amending the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1965, t,provide benefits to survivors of police officers killed in the line of duty. It is respectfully requested that you give this matter your earnest consideration and urge passage of this Bill. Respectfully, i,001016Re btJN City Record Enclosure-1 October 12, 1973 The Honorable K. Gum McKay United States Representative for Utah 1427 Longworth Building Washington,D. C. 20515 Dear Representative McKay: Enclosed is a copy of a Resolution passed by the Board of Com- missioners of Salt Lake City, Utah, supporting H. R $992 Bill, amending the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1948, to provide benefits to survivors of police officers killed in the line of duty. It is respectfully requested that you give this matter your earnest consideration and urge passage of this Bill. Respectfully,JPy�u^ { + a i\i City Recor Enclosure-1 October 12, 1971 The Honorable Wallace F. Bennett United States Senator for Utah 1211 New Senate Office Building Washington,D. C 20515 Dear Senator Bennett: Enclosed is a copy of a Resolution passed by the Board of Com- missioners of Salt lake City, Utah, supporting H. R. 8992 Bill, amending the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 194$, to provide benefits to survivors of police officers killed in the line of duty. It is respectfully requested that you give this matter your earnest consideration and urge passage of this Bill. Respectfully, City Records Enclosure-1 October 12, 1973 The Honorable frank E. Moss United States Senator for Utah 3121 New Senate Office Building Washington,D. C. 20315 Dear Senator Moss: Enclosed is a copy of a Resolution passed by the Board of Com- missioners of Salt Lake City, Utah, supporting H R 8992 Bill, amending the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to provide benefits to survivors of police officers killed in the line of duty. It is respectfully requested that you give this matter your earnest consideration and urge passage of this Bill. Respectfully, AtiVitetINSO City Rector Enclosure-1 ROLL CALL - • / VOTING Aye En Salt Lake City,Utah, October 11 19 73 V Mr.Chairman nip Barker Migin move that the esolution be adopted. / Harmsen �� Harrison Phillips Result RESOLUTION 7 WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States of America is pre- sently considering a bill denoted as H. R. 8982, to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to provide benefits to survivors of police officers killed in the line of duty; and WHEREAS, recognition of the danger and hazards involved in law enforcement activities to which the law enforcement officer daily exposes himself has been too long overlooked; and WHEREAS, the incidents of deliberate and vicious attempts upon the lives of law enforcement personnel is increasing alarmingly through- out the United States; and WHEREAS, Salt Lake City, Utah, and surrounding communities have experienced the loss and injury of a number of peace officers while engaged in the performance of their duties causing great sorrow and suffering to their families. NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Commissioners of Salt Lake City does hereby resolve that it does fully support the passage of H. R. 8982, and does hereby urge the Congress of the United States to take decisive and immediate action to grant this type of relief to the survivors of those individuals who have given their lives supporting and upholding the laws and constitution of the United States of America. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be deliv- ered to the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America and copies also delivered to representatives and senators of the State of Utah. Passed by the Board of Commissioners of Salt Lake City, U.- this 11th day of October, 1973. i MA' CI M ER