Message From FOP National President Pat Yoes

TO: All FOP Members

FROM: Patrick Yoes, National President

DATE: 14 March 20120

RE: FOP activity in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Brothers and sisters,

I wanted to make sure all our members are fully informed about the activities of the

National FOP in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and direct your attention to

the specific actions we have taken to date:

 14 March: The National Legislative Office provided FOP members with

information regarding the measures undertaken by the Federal Bureau of

Prisons with respect to keeping officers, correctional staff and incarcerated

offenders healthy and safe. We urge our members who work in corrections

at the local and State level to also review the guidance in addition to

following your own agency’s plan. The BOP information can be found here:

https://www.bop.gov/coronaviru...

 13 March: President Donald J. Trump, flanked by business and health leaders,

declared a National Emergency in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. This

declaration expands the powers of certain Federal officials and allows for

Federal monies to assist local and State response, including law enforcement,

to the virus. Executive Director Jim Pasco was in constant contact with the

White House and the Administration about this issue specifically and about

the role of local and State law enforcement. You can see the declaration

here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamationdeclaring-

national-emergency-concerning-novel-coronavirus-disease-covid-

19-outbreak

 National Auxiliary President Linda Hennie, Memorial Committee Co-Chairman

Andy Maybo and myself participated in a teleconference regarding the

forecasted impact of the Coronavirus (COVID 19) to Police Week, May 9th

through May 16th. While it is impossible to predict what the status of the virus

will be two months from now, we are all keeping a close eye on the situation.

At this time, there are no immediate plans to cancel events of National Police

Week 2020 in Washington, DC

 12 March: The National Legislative Office provided FOP members with two

documents from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—

Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911

Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19 in the United States and

What Law Enforcement Personnel Need to Know about Coronavirus 2019

(COVID-19). Please make sure your lodge members and your agency review

these documents and follow these guidelines for your own health and

safety!!!

 11 March: I sent a letter to the House and Senate leadership and

appropriators identifying the needs of local and State law enforcement

officers and their role in responding to the COVID-19 epidemic. You can

read both of those letters here:

https://fop.net/CmsDocument/Do...

and https://fop.net/CmsDocument/Doc/Senate%20letter%20on%20covid-

19.pdf

 9 March: I sent a letter to President Trump thanking him for his leadership on

the pandemic and identifying the needs of our members as they work to

keep our citizens safe during these difficult times.

In addition to these specific actions, staff in our National Legislative Office has been

in constant contact with the White House, the U.S. Departments of Justice,

Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, as well as the CDC and the

President’s Coronavirus Task Force. Various components of the Administration have

been hosting numerous conference calls with local and State political leaders,

including law enforcement, on which our staff has participated.

I want to assure all members that the National FOP is working closely with the

Administration and the Federal government as our nation battles this pandemic.

Please make sure you, your family and loved ones are washing their hands and

following the CDC guidelines to inhibit the spread of this virus. When not on duty,

practice social distancing and be smart about where you go and with whom you

interact!

In the coming weeks, the public will be looking to POLICE OFFICERS for reassurance

and calm. We will be the very real face of the government’s response to this

pandemic, so be cognizant of our role in the community at this time. I have no

doubt our members will rise to the occasion and serve with honor and distinction.

Our members are no strangers to serving in harms’ way and, while the virus

represents a different kind of danger than we are used to, we must face it with

courage and hope.

May God bless all of you and the United States of America.