The proposal would allow OPM to determine eligibility for
retirement benefits and pay and classification decisions,
which leaves open the question of whether Customs and Border
Protection officers would be given status as law enforcement
officers, but does not rule it out.
The proposal calls for all employees of the executive branch
in “law enforcement positions” to be covered under the new
system, but not those in the legislative or judicial branches.
The OPM director and FLEPRC would also “have broad discretion
in applying or defining “law enforcement positions,” according
to the paper.
“Given OPM’s clear opposition to recognizing CBP officers as
the law enforcement officers they are and always have been,
we have no reason to believe this proposal will lead toward
improved benefits or better pay for these officers,” said
Gage. “In fact, the reverse is more likely to be true.”
While the NTEU president said the increased attention was
welcome, she continued to push for LEO status for CBP
officers.
“LEO retirement status is long-overdue for these men and
women who every day perform dangerous tasks critical to our
national interest and security,” Kelley said, adding that
she is encouraged by suggestions that improved retirement
benefits for some groups including CBP officers could be in
store.