To say 2020 has been a year of changes would be an understatement.

One of the responsibilities of your Chief Executive Officers and Administrator is to keep the KPOA running as efficiently as possible, and to look at the long-term viability of the Association. With that in mind, I need to share the following information and make a recommendation concerning membership benefits.

When the KPOA first offered death benefits to members, the federal Public Safety Officers Benefit program for duty related deaths did not exist. As of this writing, the current PSOB benefit is about $365,000. Duty related death and disabilities were related to specific events.  Death benefits are paid from the KPOA general fund and KPOA is on track to pay about $10,000 in non-duty death benefits this year.

The COVID Pandemic has affected many parts of our lives, including public safety, as we are on the front lines. COVID can strike healthy people, as well as people who have other health challenges. Fortunately, COVID related duty deaths have been added to the PSOB program.

Starting in April 2020, KPOA added the benefit of an insurance policy to all members. This policy includes benefits to be paid for accidental death, line of duty death, and felonious assault death, in addition to benefits for injuries. This policy may be reviewed on the Membership Benefits page of the KPOA Website.

Because of Public Safety Officers Benefit program, because of the KPOA insurance benefits now in place, and because of the financial liability of paying claims directly from KPOA for COVID deaths, I believe the time has come to remove the $500 / $1000 / $2000 death benefit directly from KPOA. Present members who are retirees and members who retire prior to January 1, 2021, will not be affected by this change. Those members will be “grandfathered.” Death benefits will still be paid for certain events, including duty related deaths. The main difference is the benefits will be paid from insurance and not from KPOA.

Because of an increase in life expectancy, there is also a proposal to change the age of a Senior Life Member to 65 years of age for applicants after January 1, 2021.

KPOA ByLaws specifically prohibit changes to the Constitution or ByLaws by us as Officers.  The changes must be voted upon. While we are still in the process of determining the best way to hold our fall business “meeting,” it is up to you as members to educate yourselves and vote on the proposed changes. The proposed specific changes are attached with the present language and proposed new language.

Please review the attachment, which also contains the candidates who are running for office. Thank you for your continued support to KPOA. As always, stay safe and healthy.

Respectfully,

Paul Schliffke
President