Chapter News

On Saturday, February 20, 2010 four representatives from the NMPBA Chapter (Tyler Medlin, Tom Lesser, Bryan Latza, and Tom Slymon) traveled to Winston Salem to attend a Legislative and Membership Workshop. Fourteen other representatives from Wake County, Raleigh, Cary, State Law Enforcement, NC Corrections Chapter, Winston-Salem, Eastern Coastal, Retired Officers, and the Highway Patrol Chapter also attended. Narley Cashwell, NCPBA Senior Vice President and Legislative Chairperson, gave an overview of our legislative agenda and our upcoming candidate interview and endorsement process. Those in attendance agreed on the legislative agenda that the state division will pursue in the 2011-2012 legislative session. It is as follows:

25 year retirement system – Our NCPBA President Randy Byrd is a member of the State’s Future of the Retirement Study Commission.

State Standardized Due Process System for municipal officers

Removing the restriction for law enforcement officers disability benefits

Change Definition of NC Corrections/Probation Parole Officers to Law Enforcement Officers

Enhancement of the State Personnel Act

Revisions to the NC Training and Standards (F-5B form). This suggestion came directly from our chapter based on your comments to our board members!

During the meeting plaques were presented (photos attached) to Senator Pete Brunstetter, Senator Linda Garrou, Rep. Larry Womble and Tracy Ingram on behalf of her mother Rep. Earline Parmon for their work in passing SB 411 (Alternate Survivor's Benefit) into law. Representative Nelson Dollar was also in attendance to receive a plaque for his efforts in passing HB 816 (Clarify the Local Separation Allowance) into law.

In the afternoon session, Jon MacBride, NCPBA Division Membership chairperson and Wake County Chapter President, gave a presentation about the need to grow our membership. His wife, a PBA attorney, has responded to numerous incidents in Wake County on behalf of our members. Jon, retired from the Rochester Police Department in NY State with 20 years, said the legal protection offered by the SSPBA is even more comprehensive that the bargaining unit offered at his former Rochester, NY department. He is in his 37^th year in law enforcement. Terry Nowell, SSPBA Director of Training and Research, introduced three professional recruiters the SSPBA will be using to recruit members for the PBA. Their recruiting efforts will include North Carolina and they have reportedly already been very successful in South Carolina. They will be working together with chapter representatives and membership chairs to recruit new members. As NCPBA President Randy Byrd explained it “you need members to move legislation”. What he means by this is when suggestions are made to elected officials about changes that support police officers they (elected officials) inevitably ask how many members do we have. The PBA feels it has an advantage in retaining members with a death benefit equivalent to the affected members one year salary (up to $60,000), no limit on legal representation, and an established history of successful legislative efforts over other associations. At the local level we have a local board at the ready to assist members and established relationships with elected officials and administrators that have proven to be effective. Recruiting members is important because a strong membership base is a critical factor in gaining support for legislation that will benefit all police officers at the sate and local level.

Finally, chapter representatives were able to deliver some very valuable Joe Gibbs Racing memorabilia to help raise donations for the Police Benevolent Foundation after the workshop thanks to Huntersville resident Dennis Brewer. The Police Benevolent Foundation (PBF), Inc is a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) organization established by the SSPBA in 2005. The PBF provides financial support for the families of officers killed in the line of duty, scholarship funds for the children of law enforcement officers, and assistance to officers affected by natural disasters. We initially met Mr. Brewer when he offered assistance to an area police officer involved in a foot chase a few weeks ago. Mr. Brewer, having seen the foot chase, immediately parked his truck and was instrumental in locating the fleeing suspect. Mr. Brewer later offered to coordinate the collection of NASCAR collectibles to benefit the PBF. The donated items are being advertised in an auction to raise funds for the PBF.

	NMPBA Representatives attend NCPBA February 20^th Legislative and Membership Workshop in Winston Salem
	On Saturday, February 20, 2010 four representatives from the NMPBA Chapter (Tyler Medlin, Tom Lesser, Bryan Latza, and Tom Slymon) traveled to Winston Salem to attend a Legislative and Membership Workshop. Fourteen other representatives from Wake County, Raleigh, Cary, State Law Enforcement, NC Corrections Chapter, Winston-Salem, Eastern Coastal, Retired Officers, and the Highway Patrol Chapter also attended. Narley Cashwell, NCPBA Senior Vice President and Legislative Chairperson, gave an overview of our legislative agenda and our upcoming candidate interview and endorsement process. Those in attendance agreed on the legislative agenda that the state division will pursue in the 2011-2012 legislative session. It is as follows: 25 year retirement system – Our NCPBA President Randy Byrd is a member of the State’s Future of the Retirement Study Commission. State Standardized Due Process System for municipal officers Removing the restriction for law enforcement officers disability benefits Change Definition of NC Corrections/Probation Parole Officers to Law Enforcement Officers Enhancement of the State Personnel Act Revisions to the NC Training and Standards (F-5B form). This suggestion came directly from our chapter based on your comments to our board members! During the meeting plaques were presented (photos attached) to Senator Pete Brunstetter, Senator Linda Garrou, Rep. Larry Womble and Tracy Ingram on behalf of her mother Rep. Earline Parmon for their work in passing SB 411 (Alternate Survivor's Benefit) into law. Representative Nelson Dollar was also in attendance to receive a plaque for his efforts in passing HB 816 (Clarify the Local Separation Allowance) into law. In the afternoon session, Jon MacBride, NCPBA Division Membership chairperson and Wake County Chapter President, gave a presentation about the need to grow our membership. His wife, a PBA attorney, has responded to numerous incidents in Wake County on behalf of our members. Jon, retired from the Rochester Police Department in NY State with 20 years, said the legal protection offered by the SSPBA is even more comprehensive that the bargaining unit offered at his former Rochester, NY department. He is in his 37^th year in law enforcement. Terry Nowell, SSPBA Director of Training and Research, introduced three professional recruiters the SSPBA will be using to recruit members for the PBA. Their recruiting efforts will include North Carolina and they have reportedly already been very successful in South Carolina. They will be working together with chapter representatives and membership chairs to recruit new members. As NCPBA President Randy Byrd explained it “you need members to move legislation”. What he means by this is when suggestions are made to elected officials about changes that support police officers they (elected officials) inevitably ask how many members do we have. The PBA feels it has an advantage in retaining members with a death benefit equivalent to the affected members one year salary (up to $60,000), no limit on legal representation, and an established history of successful legislative efforts over other associations. At the local level we have a local board at the ready to assist members and established relationships with elected officials and administrators that have proven to be effective. Recruiting members is important because a strong membership base is a critical factor in gaining support for legislation that will benefit all police officers at the sate and local level. Finally, chapter representatives were able to deliver some very valuable Joe Gibbs Racing memorabilia to help raise donations for the Police Benevolent Foundation after the workshop thanks to Huntersville resident Dennis Brewer. The Police Benevolent Foundation (PBF), Inc is a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) organization established by the SSPBA in 2005. The PBF provides financial support for the families of officers killed in the line of duty, scholarship funds for the children of law enforcement officers, and assistance to officers affected by natural disasters. We initially met Mr. Brewer when he offered assistance to an area police officer involved in a foot chase a few weeks ago. Mr. Brewer, having seen the foot chase, immediately parked his truck and was instrumental in locating the fleeing suspect. Mr. Brewer later offered to coordinate the collection of NASCAR collectibles to benefit the PBF. The donated items are being advertised in an auction to raise funds for the PBF.