American Police Veterans

American Police Veterans (Policevets) is a voluntary association of retired, disabled and active law enforcement professionals. Sergeant George Brown a disabled line of duty retired police officer from the Plainville Massachusetts Police Department founded American Police Veterans on March 28, 2005. 2005, The organization was informally operated with all operating expenses contributed by Brown initially as an online community offering peer advocacy and support.

No dues were charged, nor were they required to formally apply for membership. Policevet's proved to be a key element in post trauma transition from active healthy law enforcement officer dealing with long-term disability, worker's compensation, retirement and family issues. The core group of disabled officers revealed that their problems required grass roots local organization to bring remedies and a national group to give them a voice.

It quickly became apparent that reaching out to the disabled and retired community presented a daunting task. Law enforcement officer's addresses are typically shielded from the public making outreach extremely difficult. Law enforcement unions and similar organizations are reluctant to spread the word; many are indifferent or seek to protect themselves from losing members. Individual officers seeking aid, services, and fraternity found a stone wall in the internet search engines. You would find groups aiding retired K-9's and police horses, before you would locate a group for retired or disabled officers. Adding to the problem was that the big internet machines would locate all the "veteran," "retired" or "disabled" officers who had been arrested, charged, imprisoned, promoted or died. Just for kicks put in "injured police" and you'll find nothing but news reports about traffic accidents, assaults, etc.

Another issue that clearly evolved was the need to influence political action. It is hardly an effort that can be done out of the pocket of a long time retired cop. Many members were frustrated by the lack of a national voice on issues affecting their pensions, disability, social security, and public safety officer benefits. It was discovered that there was no organizations representing policevets. Take a look at your own agency, department, union, municipality, and fraternal groups and try to find someone or some group that will be there for you when you've retired or suffered career ending injuries. Be sure to look below the surface if you dare. There typically is some political action on retirement issues for the active cop. When you are out, you'll soon discover the politics beyond the shield. That is you will have no political voice. American Police Veterans will come to the table with only one agenda. It will be advocating for the issues that affect cops post disability and post retirement. Policevet's will not trade the future welfare of police families for raises, perks or political favor.

American Police Veterans has made a huge impact on officers suffering career ending injuries and their families. Many officers have gotten through the trauma, theft of pay and benefits, abandonment by fellow officers and unions with the help of their Policevet’s peers. Guns at the ready have been laid aside, when suicide seemed the only remedy. Families have stayed together because the injured officer had a place to work out problems, rather than take them out on family. Families have found the strength to continue the fight for a disability pension or worker's compensation as the bank was foreclosing on their home. They've fought and won!

American Police Veterans has begun accepting paid memberships. However, there is a fee waived membership so that no officers are barred on the basis of inability to pay. The leadership is comprised of George Brown and Michael Saxe, a disabled retired officer of the New York City Police Department. They receive no compensation.

The next steps are to seek non-profit status for American Police Veterans. As the group grows a board of trustees will represent the various regions off the United States.

A separate yet integral part of the American Police Veterans will be an American Police Veterans Fund. The purpose of the fund will be to provide for unmet medical and mobility needs of aged and disabled cops

You’ll find American Police Veterans at www.policevets.org