Dear Representative,

On behalf of over 50,000 active and retired Police Officers, State Troopers and Firefighters across Pennsylvania, the Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania State Lodge, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, and the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association ask that you strongly oppose recently introduced legislation that will cause grave harm to Pennsylvania’s heroes and their families.

As sworn public safety personnel, Police Officers, State Troopers and Firefighters risk their lives each day to protect citizens, businesses, and property throughout Pennsylvania. Our members do not hesitate to place themselves in harm’s way to keep Pennsylvanians safe. They run into burning buildings, they are assaulted and killed, they keep our highways safe, they rush into danger when others flee to safety, all because they took an oath to live their lives according to a higher standard. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our members have continued to work, in person, each and every day, while most people worked from the safety of their homes.

In return for our sacrifices, all we ask for is fair treatment. More than 50 years ago, Pennsylvania’s Constitution was amended to provide that fairness, by enabling the basic protections that are afforded to these public servants under the Policemen and Firemen Collective Bargaining Act, commonly known as Act 111. Since then, Act 111 has represented a sacred compact between Police Officers, State Troopers and Firefighters and the citizens that they risk their lives to protect. In good times and in bad, that compact has served Pennsylvanians well.

Yet again, a group of special interests has attempted to launch an unprecedented and unwarranted attack on Pennsylvania’s heroes by introducing a six-bill package of legislation that would eviscerate Act 111 (House Bills 2545, 2546, 2547, 2548, 2549 and 2551). This disgraceful package of legislation would “thank” Police Officers, State Troopers and Firefighters for their sacrifices by eroding the bedrock rights that our Constitution was amended to provide many years ago. The attack is baseless and shameful, and it stands to harm the men and women who lay down their lives each year to keep Pennsylvania safe. In response, we have joined together to speak with one voice to ask our elected leaders to support those who protect you and your constituents, by preserving Act 111.

In times of tragedy and loss, which occur all too frequently for our members and their families, and were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are often asked the same question by our elected officials - how can we help? Typically, our members do not ask for anything in response. We accept the risks that go with our callings, because we know we are providing an essential public service.

Today, however, we ARE asking for something; that you show your support for Pennsylvania's first responders by reaffirming your opposition to the provisions found in HB 2545, 2546, 2547, 2548, 2549 and 2551, as you consistently have time and time again.

Thank you for your attention to this critically important matter, as well as for your continued support for Pennsylvania's first responders.

Les Neri, President                    Robert Brooks, President                     David Kennedy, President

Fraternal Order of Police         Pennsylvania Professional                   Pennsylvania State

Pennsylvania State Lodge        Fire Fighters Association                      Trooper’s Association

PO Box 898                             301 Chestnut Street, Suite 101             3625 Vartan Way

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055       Harrisburg, PA 17104                          Harrisburg, PA 17110

Office: 717-236-6981             Office: 717-221-8800                         Office: 717-540-5646

Mobile: 610-331-9448             Mobile: 484-357-4955                         dkennedy@psta.org

                                  lneri@pafop.org                      rbrooks@ppffa.org                              www.psta.org