[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 55 (Thursday, April 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE PARITY ACT OF 2015

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                           HON. ANDREE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 16, 2015

  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to introduce 
a bill to offer law enforcement retirement to Federal Protective 
Service (FPS) law enforcement officers. This bill provides retirement 
parity to FPS law enforcement officers with all other law enforcement 
officers within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
  The lack of law enforcement retirement for FPS law enforcement 
officers has hurt morale and has contributed to a high rate of 
attrition of FPS law enforcement officers when compared to attrition 
rates of other law enforcement agencies within DHS. By providing these 
enhanced retirement provisions to new hires within the Federal 
Protective Service, and crediting the service of current FPS law 
enforcement officers after enactment of the bill with the new 
provisions, we can begin to strengthen the morale and resolve of the 
Federal Protective Service.
  FPS is responsible for delivering security and law enforcement 
services for the 8,700 assets that the General Services Administration 
(GSA) owns, controls, or leases across the country. The Federal 
Protective Service is part of the frontline defense for these Federal 
buildings, which include Federal courthouses, Social Security 
Administration buildings, Agency headquarters, and other buildings. FPS 
law enforcement officers are authorized to carry firearms and empowered 
to make arrests related to the protection of buildings, grounds, and 
property owned by the Federal government and persons on the property. 
Like other law enforcement officers within DHS, FPS officers receive 
the same training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and 
often risk their lives in protection of the nearly 1 million Federal 
employees and visitors to Federal buildings.
  As a former law enforcement officer I have a deep appreciation for 
their service and the sacrifices that FPS law enforcement officers make 
on a regular basis. By providing this retirement provision I believe it 
will help the Federal Protective Service thrive in its mission of 
protecting Federal facilities, their occupants, and visitors with 
superior law enforcement and protective security services.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to consider this 
legislation and pass it as soon as possible.

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