[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 94 (Wednesday, July 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY EQUITY ACT OF 2000

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                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 18, 2000

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the Federal Law 
Enforcement Pay Equity Act of 2000. The purpose of this legislation is 
to correct the serious recruitment and retention problem facing the 
United States Park Police and the United States Secret Service 
Uniformed Division.
  The United States Park Police is America's oldest federal uniformed 
law enforcement agency with origins dating to the establishment of the 
seat of government in the District of Columbia. In 1791, President 
George Washington called for ``Park Watchmen'' to be provided by the 
United States Government for services in and around the public squares 
and reservations in the new Federal city. They were given the same 
powers and duties as the Metropolitan Police in the District of 
Columbia in 1882. In 1919, Congress renamed the Park Watchmen ``the 
United States Park Police.'' The Park Police also provide law 
enforcement and ensure public safety in various localities in the 
National Park system.
  Safeguarding our national treasures here in DC and elsewhere, and 
providing support to the Metropolitan Police, the men and women of the 
Park Police put themselves on the line every day. They conduct 
investigations into crimes committed in their jurisdiction and put 
officers on the beat. They secure such national landmarks as the 
Washington Monument from terrorist threats. They provide air support 
for law enforcement and search and rescue in DC and in surrounding 
areas. They even escort Marine Corps I and provide air support for 
Presidential protection.
  However, authorized to operate with 806 officers, the Park Police are 
short more than 165 people from a full compliment. A recent Booz-Allen 
report indicates that this shortage poses a severe security threat at 
national monuments and also creates an unsafe working environment for 
the members of the Park Police. This shortage worsens monthly, and 
every year, more officers leave than the Park Police are able to 
recruit. The number one reason given by officers for their departure is 
pay.
  The United States Secret Service Uniformed Division faces a similar 
situation. Established as the White House Police in 1922, they operate 
under the oversight of the Secret Service, protecting the White House 
grounds and the immediate vicinity and provide protection to foreign 
diplomatic missions in the Washington metropolitan area. They currently 
employ 1038 officers, but they too have suffered a drastic loss of 
personnel in recent years. As it currently stands, roughly 56% of the 
officers of the Uniformed Division have less than 7 years experience on 
the job. As is the case with the Park Police, the drastic reduction in 
available personnel has created a situation of forced overtimes and low 
morale among the officers.
  The Federal Law Enforcement Pay Equity Act will rectify this 
situation. This legislation equalizes and simplifies the pay scales and 
benefits structures of the Park Police and the Uniformed Division of 
the Secret Service and increases the salaries for the rank and file 
officers significantly, making their salaries competitive with local 
jurisdictions. Additionally, this legislation was crafted to include a 
bonus for longevity built into the pay scale. This bill also increases 
the pay of officers engaged in technical duties. Bolstered with 
competitive salaries and benefits, these two agencies will be able to 
more effectively recruit and retain diverse and capable officers. This 
legislation is urgently needed to rectify the inequity in the current 
system.

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