From NTEU, February 22, 2019
[On February 13, 2019], Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act (S. 473) that would grant law enforcement officer (LEO) retirement benefits to Revenue and Police Officers at the IRS. An identical bill, H.R. 1195, was introduced by
Representatives Peter King (R-NY) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) in the House.
Revenue Officers across the country face dangerous situations as they enforce the United States Tax Code and help collect unpaid taxes on behalf of the federal government. Oftentimes, these duties bring them in contact with members of the public who find themselves in difficult and sometimes
desperate points in their lives. Most people view these employees as law enforcement officers, and many have reacted to their inquiries with threats, assaults, and in some cases, gunfire.
IRS Police Officers serve a critical role in ensuring the protection of IRS facilities, personnel and information. These highly trained and professional law enforcement personnel are charged with preventing, detecting and investigating crimes on and around the IRS’ most critical facilities, and
serve as first responders in emergency situations.
As threats against IRS employees, including Revenue and Police Officers remain high, this critical legislation would recognize the dangers these employees face each and every day in carrying out their duties and provide them with the same civil service retirement status and benefits that other
federal law enforcement officers already receive.
NTEU will work with supporters in the House and Senate to push for passage of this important legislation to provide well-deserved LEO retirement benefits to Revenue and Police Officers at the IRS. For more information and to see what you can do, please [visit the Legislative Action Center at NTEU.org].