BALTIMORE RETIRED POLICE
BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION
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The objectives of the Baltimore Retired Police Benevolent Association or more commonly known as the BRPBA is to foster and perpetuate friendly relations, promote the mutual benefits of its members, to voluntarily assist members and their families in time of need and distress and pay final tribute to its departed members.
To strive for fair and equitable benefits for all retired law enforcement officers of the Baltimore City Police Department. To participate on the Executive and Legislative levels of the City and State by providing input to any commission, committee, etc., that may produce benefits to retired Police Officers. BRPBA Executive Board Meetings are held at 7:00 PM, on the second Wednesday of each month. These meetings are held at the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 3, 3920 Buena Vista Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21211. General Membership Meetings are held at 7:00 PM, on the third Wednesday of each month, except there are no meetings during July and August. General Membership Meetings are held at the Heritage Gardens, 7631 Harford Road, Parkville, Maryland 21234.
Class Action Law Suit
There seems to be some confusion about the Class Notices our members recently received in reference to the class action lawsuit brought against the City of Baltimore by the FOP, the firefighters Local 734, and certain active and retired police officers and firefighters.
As you know, the City passed bill 10-0306 in June 2010, which changed the way our retirement benefits were calculated and eliminated many of thebenefits we had earned through our work for the City. Consequently, it became necessary to sue the City in an effort to regain these lost benefits. In a class action, it is sometimes necessary to notify persons who may be effected by the action of their interest in the suit and offer them the opportunity to opt in or out of the class action. The majority of interested parties to this suit recently received a Notice stating that to be included in the as a class member, they were required to sign and return a document. In other words, if they decided to remain a class member, they could simply ignore the Notice after reviewing it. A smaller group made up of survivors of deceased members who retired in or before June 1996 were sent a different Notice, stating that to be included in the class, they were required to sign and return a document in order to be added -- or opt in -- as a class member. This group is comprised of survivors who either received a raise to $16,000 as of July 1, 2010, or will receive that raise as of January 2012. Some members of this group may not oppose the new law. The effects will vary based on individual circumstances. Only you, the recipient, can determine what course of action is best for you. I cannot offer legal advice in any form, and it is not my intent to do so by sending out this letter. The decision to opt in or out is solely in the hands of the each individual and should be made based on individual circumstances and how it will affect you personally. For that reason, if you have any questions about the Notice, I recommend that you discuss the Notice with an attorney who is not involved in the lawsuit or with an advisor.
Nick Caprinolo
President BRPBA
Correction on LEOSA Rules: Previously I sent out a letter from Steve Kuhn regarding LEOSA and the Maryland Police Training Commission. Steve has asked me to send out a correction and tell all that he is sorry for the mistake. Nick Caprinolo Nick, I was made aware that #5 in the LEOSA requirements section of the letter is causing some confusion. Let me ask you to strike #5 completely and re-word it as follows:
"The individual has not been officially found by a qualified medical professional employed by the agency to be unqualified for reasons relating to mental health OR has not entered into an agreement with the agency from which the individual is separating from service in which the individual acknowledges he or she is not qualified under this section for reasons relating to mental health issues and for either of these noted reasons did not receive or accept a photographic identification".
Just because an individual may have had mental health issues in the past, does not preclude them from obtaining a LEOSA card. However, if the individual is CURRENTLY under the care of a qualified mental health care professional for mental health issues, this COULD preclude them from obtaining the permit and may very well cause them to forfeit any permits they have to carry concealed firearms.
Sorry about the confusion. I hope this clears it up.
Merry Christmas
Steve
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