NCJ Number
219188
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 34 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2007 Pages: 80,82,87
Date Published
May 2007
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the impact of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) on law enforcement agencies across the country.
Abstract
No one disputes that the USERRA is both necessary and desirable because it preserves the jobs of reserve military workers called away to active duty. However, the military and law enforcement have enjoyed a close relationship over the years in which many ex-military or reserve military become excellent police officers. While it is natural that the military would serve as prime recruiting grounds for law enforcement agencies, it is these agencies that take on noticeable personnel decreases when reserve military are called to duty. The author points out that while the USERRA protects the country’s ability to maintain its armed forces at an adequate level, it ironically pulls workers from its partners in the war on terrorism--primarily law enforcement officers. While cities of all sizes have been grappling with this type of officer shortage, smaller departments are more likely to feel the crunch when reserve officers are called to duty. The plight of Athens, OH, a college town, is highlighted as an example of a law enforcement agency that does not have enough sworn officers due to the USERRA. In this case, police officers are only running three of their usual four daily shifts and have had to rely on overtime and no time off for officers. While there seem to be no real solutions in sight, most agree that the government should not cut programs that may actually help fill the void of those called away to duty.