For Immediate Release
5/4/2020

The Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) is the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers. Iowa State Lodge members include sworn law enforcement officers of all ranks from both municipal and state law enforcement agencies across Iowa. We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities in Iowa, seeking to protect the public and law enforcement officers through education, legislation, community involvement, and representation. Iowa F.O.P. members are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and are here to serve Iowans.

We request Governor Reynolds to immediately issue a proclamation declaring emergency responders who contract COVID-19 are legally presumed to have done so in the line of duty and will be covered under workers’ compensation insurance. This presumption is necessary to ensure those who protect and serve our communities across Iowa are afforded workers’ compensation protections. The Iowa F.O.P. has joined with the Iowa Professional Fire Fighters and the Iowa State Police Association in seeking to protect emergency responders and ensure they have the resources necessary to combat this pandemic and provide emergency services.

On March 31, 2020, National F.O.P. President Patrick Yoes sent an open letter to Governor Reynolds urging the state to amend workers’ compensation laws to establish a presumption for law enforcement officers who contract COVID-19. President Yoes wrote a follow up letter on April 10,2020. According to President Yoes,

We know emergency responders will be exposed to the illness at a higher rate than the public due to their day-to-day service to our communities…Our members, deemed “essential” by government at every level, will be on the front lines and they deserve every assurance that any future workers’ compensation claim that is related to COVID-19 will presume they were exposed while they were in the line of duty.

Since the first request was made by National F.O.P., members of the Iowa F.O.P. have contracted COVID-19, and eighty-two law enforcement officers have died nationally.

In the face of increased risks and demands due to the pandemic, Iowa law enforcement officers, firefighters, and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers stand ready to keep our communities safe and respond to all emergencies. We are simply asking for this presumption so that all emergency responders, regardless of agency, are equally protected and afforded the benefits allowed by Iowa law.

Oleta J. Davis
Iowa State F.O.P. President
866-726-9613
iowastatefop@gmail.com