Ahead of National Police Week, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-Patchogue) introduced two key pieces of legislation to support law enforcement officers and reaffirm his commitment to the men and women who serve and protect our communities. The bills—the Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights Resolution and the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act—aim to strengthen protections for officers and ensure fair retirement benefits for federal law enforcement professionals.
“I’m proud to introduce legislation that supports law enforcement officers both in their service today and in their futures,” said Garbarino. “Whether it’s affirming their rights on the job or ensuring they receive the benefits they’ve earned, we must continue standing with the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe. Our officers deserve not only our gratitude, but real action—and that’s what these bills deliver.”
The Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights Resolution reaffirms the rights of local law enforcement officers and condemns efforts to defund, dismantle, or disband police departments. The resolution outlines several core protections, including:
- Local law enforcement officer’s right to self-defense against physical threats
- Local law enforcement officer’s right to legal recourse if a civilian attempts to assault the local law enforcement officer
- Local law enforcement officer’s right to be protected from physical harassment
- Local law enforcement officer’s right to equipment necessary for personal protection
- Local law enforcement officer’s right to counsel or a representative present at any interview conducted as part of an investigation
This resolution is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), and the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) and is cosponsored by Representatives Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island), Claudia Tenney (R-Lockport), Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River), Nick Langworthy (R-Jamestown), Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), Pete Stauber (R-Minnesota), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida), and Elise Stefanik (R-Plattsburgh).
The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act, introduced alongside Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), seeks to expand the federal definition of a “law enforcement officer” under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The bill would ensure that qualified federal employees — including IRS officers, VA police, Postal Inspectors, and seized-property specialists — receive the same retirement benefits currently afforded to other law enforcement personnel.
Specifically, the Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act would:
- Provide federal officers with 6(c) retirement benefits and the ability to retire after 20 years of service at the age of 50, or after 25 years of service at any age
- Allow incumbent law enforcement officers federal service after the enactment of this Act to be considered service performed as a law enforcement officer for retirement purposes
- Expand the definition of “law enforcement officer” for retirement benefits to include all GS-0083 officers. That change would grant law enforcement officer status to:
- employees who are authorized to carry a firearm and whose duties include the investigation and/or apprehension of suspected criminals
- employees of the Internal Revenue Service whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and securing delinquent returns
- employees of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are department police officers