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Washington, D.C.-The right to retire at age 50 after 20 years of service is a benefit the U.S. Congress has given to FBI agents, firefighters, nuclear materials handlers, and air traffic controllers. It is a benefit, according to the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), that should be extended to U.S. Customs Service inspectors, canine enforcement officers, and Internal Revenue Service revenue officers.

In congressional testimony today, Colleen M. Kelley, president of NTEU, said, "Common sense and simple justice demand an end to this terrible inequity." When law enforcement officers from different agencies join forces on a drug raid or to search a boat for armed smugglers, said Kelley, Customs officers are often the only law officers on the scene who are not eligible for 20-year retirement. She said the same holds true for IRS revenue officers who join with other federal, state and local law officers on dangerous and risky operations.

In a hearing held by the House Government Reform's Subcommittee on Civil Service on legislation that would extend what is known as law enforcement officer retirement rights, Kelley said IRS revenue officers, Customs inspectors and canine enforcement officers should receive the same 20-year retirement option as other law enforcement officers.

"Every day, the men and women who hold these jobs face enormous physical challenges and constant emotional stress. Enforcing the laws they have sworn to uphold regularly exposes them to the threat of injury or even death. This is dangerous work with real and unrelenting hazards," said Kelley.

Underscoring the on-the-job dangers faced, Kelley spoke of Customs Inspector Roberto Labrada, who attended today's hearing. Labrada was one of two inspectors shot at close range by a suspected drug smuggler. Both were badly wounded, yet returned fire and the shooter was killed.

"For more than 15 years, Inspector Labrada has faced such hazards on the job. I ask the Committee to consider, said Kelley, "that if Inspector Labrada had been killed that April day in 1997, his name would have been added to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC, as a federal law enforcement officer slain in the line of duty. Inspector Labrada is denied the law enforcement status in life he would have been granted in death."

Kelley noted that special retirement provisions for federal law enforcement officers date back to 1947 when this benefit was given to FBI agents. In 1948, the retirement provision was expanded to cover any officer or employee whose duties are primarily the investigation, apprehension or detention of persons suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States. Within the last 27 years, the law was amended at various times to include firefighters, air traffic controllers, nuclear materials handlers-and members of Congress.

NTEU supports H.R. 1228 which would provide 20-year retirement eligibility for IRS revenue officers and U.S. Customs Service inspectors and canine enforcement officers. Representing some 155,000 in 21 departments and agencies, NTEU represents some 14,000 customs inspectors, canine enforcement, and IRS revenue officers.