The Volunteer Peace Officer's
Benefit bill (VPOB) will provide cash benefits and
medical care for volunteer peace officers (VPO) who
are injured or become ill in the line of duty. This bill
recognizes the unselfish service of volunteer peace officers by
providing protection if they become ill or injured in the line of
duty. The VPOB will cover
the VPO appointed by a county, city, town or
village under the following situations:
-Participation in an authorized incident
or emergency while on VPO active status -Travel to
or from an emergency or other authorized activities while on
VPO active status -While working at the VPO
facility/station on official duties
-Attendance at authorized VPO training -Participation
at authorized parades, tournaments, contests and other public
exhibitions -Attending an authorized VPO convention or
conference -Attending authorized VPO meetings -Participating in
authorized fitness training -Participating in authorized fund
raising activities What is not covered:
-Participation and practice in any recreational of social
activity not involved with fundraising. -Work rendered for a
private employer, public corporation or special district -Work
rendered while on a leave of absence, suspended from duty
or the VPO was ordered not to perform -Competitive events in
which the VPO is a competitor.
CASH BENEFIT Cash
benefits will be payable to the VPO if the injury occurs at
the municipality/county where the VPO is appointed or an area
where mutual aid is provided by the VPO. The amount of
the VPO weekly cash benefit will be determined by
whether the VPO is totally or partially disabled. When the
injury is not considered a total disability, weekly benefits are
based on the VPO's ability to perform work at their regular
employment or a reasonable substitute if there is no employment.
Cash benefits are paid the first day of disability with no
waiting period and medical care is provided without
regard to the length of the disability. WEEKLY
CASH BENEFIT- Total disability $400 per week , partial disability
$280 per week ($21,000 per year for total disability,
$15,000 per year for partial disability) PAYMENTS ARE TAX
FREE. SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS
Widows and widowers receiving a death benefit are eligible
for a supplemental benefit of up to $215 per week
DEATH BENEFITS If a VPO dies from an a
duty related injury, the surviving spouse and/or minor
children under the age of 18 or other dependants defined
by law will receive a weekly cash benefit. If the minor
child is enrolled in an accredited educational institution the
child will received the benefit up to the age of 25. Surviving
spouses with no dependent children will receive from $887 to
$1102 per week ($46,000 to $57,000 per year) TAX FREE.
Surviving spouses with dependent children
will receive a smaller weekly benefit. In addition to the spouses
weekly cash benefit, each child will receive a weekly benefit
from $887 to $1102 per week. Surviving spouses
who remarry with no surviving children will receive a lump sum
payment of $92,219. Surviving
spouses who remarry and have dependent children will received a
smaller lump sum payment. The children will receive the
weekly payment of between $887 to $1102 per week.
MEDICAL CARE, REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL WORK
The injured VPO will receive necessary medical care directly
related to the duty injury or illness the recovery from
disability. The VPO is free to chose any licensed medical
practitioner, outpatient clinic of a hospital or health
maintenance organization. The doctor may not collect a fee from
the patient. The injured VPO will receive social services,
vocational rehabilitation, selective job placement if permanently
disabled and medical rehabilitation to help the injured VPO
reduce the disability, help the injured VPO return to
work or aid the injured VPO live and work to their maximum
capacity. The injured VPO will continue to received the cash
benefit while disabled and receiving treatment and
services.
Funeral expenses
The VPO's family will receive a maximum of $6,700 for funeral
expenses. If the VPO dies from injuries received in the
line of duty, funeral expenses over $6,700 will be approved.
Lump Sum Benefit-The
surviving will receive a lump sum payment of $56,000. These are
in addition to all other benefits provided.
IF THIS BILL BECOMES LAW, THE SPOUSE/DEPENDANT OF A VPO
WHO DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY WILL RECEIVE UP TO:
FEDERAL PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER BENEFIT
ACT:
$303,064
NY VPO DISABILITY LAW LUMP SUM:
$56,000
MINIMUM WEEKLY SPOUSE BENEFIT P/YR
$46,000
MINIMUM WEEKLY BENEFIT FOR ONE
DEPENDENT:
$46,000
LUMP SUM PAYMENT TO SURVIVING SPOUSE WHO REMARRIES:
$92,219
TOTAL MINIMUM PAYMENT TO SURVIVING SPOUSE WHO-
REMARRIES WITH ONE
DEPENDENT:
$543,283
TOTAL MINIMUM PAYMENT TO THE FAMILY OF A VOLUNTEER PEACE OFFICER
WHO DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY IF THIS BILL DOES NOT PASS:
ZERO!
Since the VPO bill is copied from
the Volunteer FF benefit law, the following link should be
helpful http://www.wcb.state.ny.us/content/main/firefighters/VFAWLawIntro.jsp
In addition this bill states "Upon
successful completion of all required classes and tests, the
applicant will be registered with the division as a volunteer
peace officer and will have the legal status of a peace officer
while performing authorized activities within the duties assigned
by the local municipality." As we all know the two
Auxiliary Police Officers would not have received the FEDERAL
PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER BENEFIT if it were not for public
outcry and support of Senator Charles E. Schumer.
Auxiliary Police need to be recognized as Peace Officers while on
duty ... even if their orders are only to observe &
report.
Please call, write, send e-mail, what ever you need to do to
contact your elected officials, and ask them to support the bill.