Preface to Candidate Responses
By Chuck Canterbury, President, National Fraternal Order of Police
We are headed into what will likely be a very close election between two candidates with very different approaches to the issues of the day and the questions of the future. It is a very important election.
I believe that the strength of our fraternity resides in our shared commitment to our profession of law enforcement and to our brother and sister officers. As an organization, I believe that we should make a choice in this election and make that choice known to all law enforcement officers and the citizens we protect. I want every voter on Election Day to know what candidate earned the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and how he earned it.
We can make this decision if we as an organization evaluate the candidates on the objectives and concerns of our organization. Police representing police — that is what we are about, and our judgment as law enforcement officers and our role as peace officers and public employees are the lens through which we should make our decision on whom to support for President.
The questionnaire designed by the FOP and given to the candidates for the Presidency is based on the top legislative priorities set by the delegations of members at past National Biennial Conferences and the legislative objectives designated by the National Board of Trustees. The questionnaire reflected our vested interests not only in the realm of law enforcement and criminal justice, but also on labor issues. All of us are public employees, and the priorities we have set and the questions we ask in this survey were designed to understand how the next President will view law enforcement officers as public employees.
We set these goals and objectives as an organization without fear or favor to any particular party, ideology or individual. The responses of the candidates should be evaluated on the basis of their positions and action on the goals that the FOP has set as an organization and not on issues extraneous to the FOP’s priorities or to law enforcement officers.
The FOP’s endorsement is meaningful and keenly sought after because it demonstrates to the voters that the endorsed candidate shares the goals of the FOP and has the best interests of the rank-and-file officer in mind. If we judge the candidates on issues outside our area of expertise or allow other factors to influence our judgment, then we are doing a disservice to our grand fraternity and to the profession of law enforcement. It may be that, after due consideration, neither candidate is sufficiently supportive of the FOP, rank-and-file law enforcement officers and our legislative objectives to merit our endorsement. If that is the case, our statement that we cannot support either candidate based on their positions that impact our members also sends a message and preserves the value of the FOP’s endorsement.
The responses are provided for your review and consideration. None of the responses have been altered in any way and are presented to you exactly as they were received.
I ask that you read them thoroughly and make sure your voice is heard by participating in whatever process your State Lodge has for informing your National Trustee how he should cast his vote at the Fall Meeting of the National Board of Trustees.
Presidential Candidate Questionnaire
The following questionnaire prepared by the National Legislative Office is being provided to the Presidential Screening Committee at the direction of National President Chuck Canterbury.
The following is a brief summation of the top legislative priorities of the Fraternal Order of Police:
Social Security issues: Support H.R. 1332/S. 2010, the “Social Security Fairness Act,” and Oppose Mandatory Participation in Social Security
The FOP strongly supports the repeal of both the “Windfall Elimination Provision” (WEP) and the “Government Pension Offset” (GPO). The FOP vehemently opposes legislation which would mandate participation in Social Security for public employees or new hires who are currently outside the Social Security system.
Support the “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act”
The FOP strongly supports legislation which would guarantee the right of public employees to bargain collectively with their employers over hours, wages, and conditions of employment. The goal of this legislation is to have each State pass a law providing minimum collective bargaining rights to their public safety employees and outlines certain provisions to be included in those laws. Strikes and lockouts would be prohibited and States with collective bargaining laws already on the books will be exempt from any Federal statute.
Support H.R. 1789, the “State and Local Law Enforcement Discipline, Accountability and Due Process Act”
The FOP strongly supports a “bill of rights” for law enforcement officers who are, in a number of jurisdictions, denied their due process rights by police administrators and management in noncriminal proceedings. There is a need for a minimum level of procedural protections for law enforcement officers accused of administrative wrongdoing because of the gravity of potential harm to officers created by this lack of uniform safeguards.
Support H.R. 324
The FOP strongly supports legislation giving certain Federal law enforcement officers employed by the U.S. Department of Defense statutory arrest authority.
Support H.R. 327/S. 985, the “Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act”
The FOP strongly supports legislation expanding the definition of “law enforcement officer” for salary and retirement benefits to include all Federal law enforcement officers.
12 thoughts on “Presidential Candidate Questionnaire”
Dear Brothers and Siters. We serve the risen Lord. Every decision we make in Law Enforcement is guided or should be guided by the power of the Holy Spirit. When you decide who to vote for, don’t consider wordly things, but consider what is in the bible. Which one of these candidates line up with your Christian views. Who is for for the unborn? I know most Police Officers would prosecute anyone who injures a fetus or kills a little baby. Who supports the rights of a man and woman to marry and concieve children in a natural God given way? What happens to many of the children of blended families, fatherless homes, domestic disputes? As our brother David pointed out, Mr. Obama said the Police Officers “acted stupidly” when they confronted an unidentified tresspasser until proven otherwise. Mr. Obama condemed the latino in Florida who shot a young black male before an investigation was complete. Where is the support for the police officers killed in the line of duty by the thugs and criminals in America? Do any of you know of Mr. Obama coming to the aid of a stricken Law Enforcement family like he did for the above cases I cited along with that college female who needs $3,000 / mth for healthcare so she can have uninterrupted sex while in college?? How about refusing to fight for the christian values? What about not agreeing to meet with the Israel President but appearing on the View and Late SHow? The battle in America is the same on your beat!! It is a battle between “GOOD” and evil. You have the wisdom and power to make a difference! Pray and discern the spirit. God Bless You All!
PrezBO is most assuredly a marxist and socialist. Government dependency for total life sustainability is not the answer, nor any substitute to individual accountability and responsibility. The National FOP lodge needs to be more transparent and informed about labor unions issues by state, rather than lumping altogether issues that don’t necessarily apply in all cases. At least Romney has a proven track record or creating jobs and troubleshooting issues that resulted in success rather than failure. What has the “community organizer” ever done in that regard? Four more years of Obama will further plunder this country into complete financial ruin and ultimately destroy whatever protections we currently have!
I agree with Gary’s assement. I graded the answers as 7 for Obama and 24 for Romney. As Gary stated Obama had some wins early on but failed miserably overall.
I do not understand how one can not take him as a socialist/Marxist whichever term you use but the 2008 election proved millions didn’t see it even though his book and his “we will fundamentally change America” he clearly said so.
Let’s just hope he fails in his bid to get a 2nd term that we can not afford.
As a military veteran and retired Police officer I’ve spent most of my life to serve & protect this country and its people. Your labeling of our President as a Marxist only exhibits your lack of knowledge concerning political views throughout the world. Our Presidend is as Democratic as any other in his views of fairness for the people. Obama 2012.
David is wise to doubt that Obama either likes LE or the FOP, just as he has nothing but contempt for the military. He will say or do anything for votes. I have never seen anyone who can lie so constantly. Don’t be fooled by him, Lorin. And yes – as Joe implies, he is a Marxist.
First, I do respect everyone’s individual opinion. I just wish I could understand how anyone can still believe Obama is in any way good for this great country of ours, much less the law enforcement! Think back at how he has been the first to jump out and publicly question law enforcements actions – such as the arrest of his law professor friend. It is obvious to me that he does not care for or respect law enforcement.
Let’s face it – all of Obama’s records are “sealed” and therefore, we know nothing about him other than the fact that he has more than doubled the nations debt in just three years and that he has done nothing that he said he would do. I am truly worried that if he is re-elected for another term our great country will suffer irreparible damage. He is a great speaker, but look what he has done and/or not done – not what he says! He is one of the best liars I have seen.
I just don’t believe our president genuinely likes Law Enforcement and/or the FOP. If he gets our support, I believe he would simply use this organization strictly as a political tool in his chest, and we would not realize any benefit or support. The FOP and LE overall may not get everything we would like to see take place under Romney, (and he does have his problems), but that would be better than being used or worse. I just cannot vote for or support Obama/Biden.
Mr. Obama has the slick answers, but Mr. Romney has in my opinion even when saying something I disagree with, the most honest answers. Mr. Obama is much more political, saying what we want to hear. Mr. Romney says what he believes.
Your mind is made up and there is no changing it. President Obama will continue to enhance the rights and grouth of the middle class whereas Mr Romney will continue his approach of establishing two classes; the very rich and the very poor. I don’t know many Police officers who are not considered middle class and I can’t believe Romney is going to make them rich. Obama is my choice to protect the rights of the people..
And it appears that your mind is made up as well. I recall being in class when a classmate got upset about comments made about the current president. She stated that she was a staunch member of the President’s political party. I told her that people who set their mind to vote for a label, and do not look at all the options scare me. The same applies here. No matter what happens or is discovered, You will only consider OBama
Excellent set of questions posted by the FOP to the candidates. Obama was able to align more closely with the FOP on a few of the labor related issues at the beginning, but otherwise his answers were largely political fluff. It seemed to me that Romney clearly understood, respected and sympathized more with the general law enforcement perspective and also his views on many of these issues more closely reflect the views shared by most Americans. I was impressed by the candid and pragmatic, yet thoughtful answers he provided.
Question 22 and the answers is about the most important to me. It cuts through the political BS on both sides…..I’m for Romney…at the very least he isn’t a Marxist!