21. Law enforcement is an exceedingly dangerous profession, with an average of one hundred and fifty (150) officers who die in the line of duty every year. Since 1962, the Federal government has recognized the sacrifices of law enforcement officers killed in the of duty by designating 15 May as “National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.” Nearly thirty years ago, the National FOP began holding a Memorial Service on this day to honor the memories of the fallen officers and their loved ones. This event is held on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol and is attended by the family of the officer, as well as thousands of fellow officers and friends. For the last fifteen years, the keynote speaker for this event has been the President of the United States. Will you pledge to attend the May 15th Memorial Service event honoring the families and memory of our nation’s slain heroes?
Obama: Yes, as president, I plan to attend the “National Peace Officers Memorial Day” scheduled for May 15th of this year as I have in past years.
I believe that our nation’s public safety officers are American heroes who risk their lives to keep our families and communities safe. Despite facing budget constraints and daily threats, public safety officers embrace innovative approaches to improving our Nation and upholding the rule of law. They put their lives on the line to protect ours, sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice.
While we can never adequately thank our law enforcement officers for their service, we can use every tool at our disposal to protect them on the job. I am committed to providing funding for resources to keep cops on the street and to collaborate with law enforcement agencies and organizations like yours to develop strategies that reduce injuries and deaths in the line of duty.
My administration launched the new Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability (VALOR) initiative, designed to reduce and prevent law enforcement officer injuries and line-of-duty deaths. And after consulting with members of the law enforcement community, we instituted a new mandatory wear policy as part of our Bulletproof Vest Partnership program as of last year. We will continue to seek more efficient ways to share information and invest in evidence-based, smart-on-crime approaches to fight crime and will provide support to the families of law enforcement officers if tragedy does strike.
Romney: Yes. As president, it would be a humbling honor to attend the Memorial Service for law enforcement officers who have given their lives protecting our communities, including meeting with spouses and family members who have suffered such tragic losses in support of our public safety. The recent surge in line-of-duty killings of law enforcement officers is deeply alarming to me, and I know this trend is even more alarming to the law enforcement officers and the community of spouses and family members who stand behind them. As president, I will work diligently to reverse this unacceptable and dangerous trend.
22. The families of law enforcement officers and other public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty are eligible to receive a one-time death benefit from the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit (PSOB) program. Yet, for the last several years, many of our survivor families have faced great difficulty and resistance from the Office of General Counsel (OGC) which must approve the benefit before the family receives the money. These Federal attorneys see themselves as defending against a claim against the Federal government, instead of a death benefit for a grieving family. The Fraternal Order of Police is working with our allies on Capitol Hill to examine what reforms might be needed at the PSOB program, but it is possible that there simply needs to be a new perspective at OGC. What steps will you take as President to expedite the payment of the PSOB death benefit?
Obama: We must do everything in our means to provide the necessary help and support to the families and public safety agencies that lose an officer in the line of duty. My administration will continue to seek ways to improve this process so we can best provide survivors and law enforcement, firefighter, and other first responder agencies with the best information and support through the claim process. I am pleased that my administration is working with your leadership to help ensure that payments are made in a timely way.
Romney: I strongly support the PSOB program. As Governor of Massachusetts, I also supported and signed a law to provide death benefits at the state and local level to part-time and volunteer public safety officers killed in the line of duty. Programs such as these should be implemented in a way that minimizes the administrative burden on grieving families and the law enforcement support network that assists them in their application for benefits. I pledge to work with the Fraternal Order of Police and its allies to remove any obstacles to a timely review and payment of benefits due under this program. I will also review and consider potential legislative reforms to the program that may be proposed with an eye toward that same objective. If changes in policy or personnel at DOJ or elsewhere also are warranted, I will see to it that they are made.
23. Since the Fraternal Order of Police is the largest labor organization representing this country’s law enforcement professionals, how will you involve and consult with our leadership concerning any legislation, regulations, or other Administration activity relating to law enforcement or criminal justice issues?
Obama: Yes. I stand committed to continuing to forge a strong relationship with the Fraternal Order of Police and furthering our commitment to our nation’s law enforcement officers that sacrifice daily to protect our communities and people. My administration has ensured that FOP leadership and membership always have a seat at the table on issues of importance to our nation’s law enforcement, and I hope to continue this engagement in my second term as president.
Romney: As president, I will have an open door policy and consult with the Fraternal Order of Police and its leadership on matters related to law enforcement and criminal justice, and I will insure that the cabinet and agency leaders in my administration do the same.
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!