Legislation that would guarantee federal law enforcement officers are paid the compensation they have earned was introduced in the House on May 8.
The bill, the Law Enforcement Officer Fair Retirement Act, was introduced by U.S. Reps. Nellie Pou (D-NJ), Don Bacon (R-NE), Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). Officials said the legislation would allow officers to elect to have the Office of Personnel Management consider the full value of overtime compensation accrued when calculation CSRS/FERS annuity. Law makers said the legislation was not a pay raise, but a law to ensure all overtime hours worked are counted when calculating retirement benefits.
Currently, although federal law enforcement officers are expected to respond at any time of the day or night, the law makers said their overtime compensation is limited because of a legal technicality. Many federal law enforcement officers and criminal investigators work overtime hours each year that they are not compensated for, they Congressmembers said.
“Our federal police and first responders have one of the toughest jobs in America,” Pou said. “They put their lives on the line every day. So, it is unacceptable that an officer serving overtime does not get the full retirement compensation to which they are entitled. Our bill will finally fix this unfortunate loophole so that a federal law enforcement officer receives every cent they’ve earned.”
The legislation is supported by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).
“The Law Enforcement Officers Fair Retirement Act is not just sound policy – it’s a matter of principle. For too long, federal law enforcement professionals who have answered the call to serve have faced inequities in how their service is credited toward retirement. This legislation ensures that the brave men and women who put themselves in harm’s way are afforded the fair and honorable retirement they’ve earned. On behalf of FLEOA’s members nationwide, we strongly support this act and urge Congress to do the same,” Mathew Silverman, FLEOA National President, said.