[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2276-E2277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  BROAD-BASED SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE BADGE FRAUD PREVENTION ACT (H.R. 
                                 4282)

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the 
House to the Police Badge Fraud Prevention Act (H.R. 4282) and the 
broad-based support it is drawing from our nation's law enforcement 
community. This measure bans the interstate or foreign trafficking of 
counterfeit badges and genuine badges. When the measure is reintroduced 
in January, it will include exceptions for cases where the badge is 
used exclusively in a collection or exhibit; for decorative purposes; 
or for a dramatic presentation such as a theatrical, film, or 
television production.
  A counterfeit badge or a fraudulently obtained real badge can allow a 
criminal to deceive someone into opening the door to their home or the 
window of their car. The use of badges in home-invasion robberies and 
other crimes has damaged the trust people have in men and women in 
uniform. Law enforcement organizations, both nationwide and in my home 
state of California, have recognized this and have endorsed this 
legislation. I submit their endorsement letters to be included in the 
Record. I encourage all Members to consider co-sponsoring this 
legislation when the 106th Congress reconvenes.

         Fraternal Order of Police, National Legislative Program,
                                    Washington, DC, July 24, 1998.
     Hon. Stephen Horn,
     U.S. House of Representatives
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Horn, I am writing to advise you of the 
     strong support of the more than 272,000 members of the 
     Fraternal Order of Police for H.R. 4282, the ``Police Badge 
     Fraud Prevention Act.''
       Your bill complements existing State statutes against 
     impersonating a law enforcement officer with respect to the 
     possession or use of counterfeit badges or illegally obtained 
     real badges. The American public knows and recognizes the 
     brave men and women in our nation today by the badge they 
     carry. They know they can count on them when they are in 
     trouble or in need of help. Your bill takes a necessary step 
     to ensure that the public can continue to place their faith 
     and trust in law enforcement officers and not be deceived by 
     those with criminal intent.
       On behalf of Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, I want 
     to extend my thanks for your leadership on this issue. If 
     there is anything I can do to assist you in the passage of 
     this legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or 
     Executive Director Jim Pasco at my Washington office.
           Sincerely,
                                              Gilbert G. Gallegos,
     National President.
                                  ____

                      International Brotherhood of Police Officers
                                      Alexandria VA, May 15, 1998.
     Hon. Stephen Horn,
     U.S. Congress,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Horn, The International Brotherhood of 
     Police Officers (IBPO) is an affiliate of the Service 
     Employees International Union, the third largest union in the 
     AFL-CIO. The IBPO is the largest police union in the AFL-CIO.
       On behalf of the entire membership of the IBPO I want to 
     thank you for introducing a bill that would make it a crime 
     to deal counterfeit badges of state and local law enforcement 
     agencies.
       The IBPO has heard numerous incidents where criminals 
     obtain police badges which allows them to pursue illegal 
     activities. Many of these budges can be purchased by Internet 
     and mail-order sales. We appreciate your legislation will ban 
     the interstate or foreign trafficking of counterfeit badges 
     and genuine badges.
       A police officer's badge means much more than another form 
     of identification. To see it used for criminal intent is a 
     slap in the face to every police officer in this country.
       The IBPO endorses your bill and looks forward to working 
     with you to see this bill become law. If you have any 
     questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Kenneth T. Lyons,
     National President.
                                  ____

                                                        California


                                  Peace Officers' Association,

                                  Sacramento, CA, October 7, 1998.
     Hon. Steve Horn,
     U.S. House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Horn: The California Peace Officers' 
     Association strongly supports HR 4282, which would curb the 
     sales of phony police badges in the United States. Law 
     enforcement is faced with the possibility of a criminal using 
     a phony badge to commit a crime. These impersonators have 
     made women become fearful of stopping for legitimate police 
     officers because of crimes impersonators have committed using 
     phony police badges. Law enforcement officers have only one 
     visual thing to prove who they are to the public, and that is 
     the badge.
       Mail order badge suppliers have cheated the public out of 
     their confidence in the police by selling to anyone with the 
     correct amount of money, the very symbols of trust and safety 
     which identify the law enforcement officer. Police and 
     sheriff badges should only be sold to authorized law 
     enforcement personnel, and then only after the company 
     ensures that the agency is a bona fide entity.
       Please register our support of this very important 
     legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                      John Lovell,
     Government Relations Manager.
                                  ____

                                             San Bernardino County


                                         Sheriff's Department,

                           San Bernardino, CA, September 22, 1998.
     Hon. Steve Horn,
     U.S. House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Horn: The San Bernardino County Sheriff's 
     Department strongly supports HR 4282 which would curb the 
     sales of phony police badges in the United States. Every day 
     law enforcement is faced with the possibility of an 
     impersonator eroding the public's trust by using a phony 
     badge to commit a crime. Women have become fearful of 
     stopping for red lights on police vehicles because of crimes 
     committed using red lights to stop their victims. Law 
     enforcement has only one thing to prove, who they are 
     visually to the public, and that is the badge.
       Mail order badge suppliers cheat the public out of their 
     confidence in the police by selling to anyone with the 
     correct amount of money, the very symbols of trust and safety 
     we are taught as children to look to for help. Police and 
     sheriff badges should be sold only to authorized law 
     enforcement personnel, and then only, after the company 
     ensures that the agency is a bona fide entity.
       Please register our support of this very important 
     legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Gary S. Penrod,
     Sheriff.
                                  ____

                                               City of Signal Hill


                                            Police Department,

                                  Signal Hill, CA, August 6, 1998.
     Congressman Stephen Horn,
     c/o Connie Sziebl, District Director, 38th District of 
         California, Lakewood, CA.
       Dear Congressman Horn: I would like to take this 
     opportunity to thank you very much for introducing HR 4282--
     the Police Badge Fraud Prevention Act. I believe it will go a 
     long way to stem this ever increasing problem and help 
     protect the citizens within our community and throughout the 
     United States.
       I will be contacting police organizations in California for 
     support of this bill and, hopefully, they will be sending you 
     letters of support very soon.
       I have enclosed a copy of the program from Fox Channel 11 
     News on counterfeit badges which aired on Monday, July 27, 
     1998, at 10:00 p.m. It provided some excellent publicity on 
     this problem and on HR 4282.
       Once again, I would like to thank you and your staff for 
     your quick response to our concerns and your continued 
     support of law enforcement.
           Sincerely,
                                                  David M. Singer,
     Chief of Police.
                                  ____

                                               California Narcotic


                                        Officers' Association,

                              Santa Clarita, CA, October 15, 1998.
     Re: HR 4282--Letter of Support

     Stephen Horn
     U.S. Representative, 38th District
     Washington DC.
       Dear Mr. Horn: The California Narcotic Officers 
     Association's (CNOA) 7,000 members, comprised of men and 
     women, are California's first line of defense against the 
     proliferation of illegal drugs. CNOA has historically 
     provided opinion and expertise to the legislature based upon 
     our experience and training as drug enforcement 
     professionals.
       CNOA supports House Resolution 4282 which you author. Mail 
     order badge suppliers who sell to anyone for money facilities 
     vicious crimes that occur in our society such as home 
     invasion robberies. Badges should only be sold to bonafide 
     entities.

[[Page E2277]]

       Please accept this letter as our Association's support for 
     this very important legislation. We thank you for taking the 
     leadership on this issue.
           Sincerely
                                                Robert S. Elsberg,
                                             Legislative Chairman.

     

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