Law Enforcement, Public Employee Groups React to Impact of COVID-19

In a letter to agencies on Sunday, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought called upon agencies to offer “maximum telework flexibilities” to all currently telework eligible employees and to utilize all existing authorities to offer telework to additional employees to the extent available due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Acting Director Vought noted that this may be a challenge for law enforcement and criminal justice-related employees.

In a statement released Wednesday, President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) Larry Cosme encouraged agencies to provide law enforcement with specific guidance on exposure risk mitigation techniques and commended agencies for reducing travel.

"As Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Vought highlighted in last night’s OMB guidance to agency leadership, the reality for many law enforcement agents is that social distancing is not an option. Working with the public and potentially bad actors is an inherent mission critical duty for many. Agency leaders must take necessary precautions to mitigate the risk of exposure for federal law enforcement. We are encouraged by agency leaders issuing specific guidance related to minimizing travel and risk management protocols. This is critical to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within agencies and the public,” said Cosme.

Cosme also warned of potential bad actors looking to exploit the pandemic.

"Bad actors are seeking to take advantage of public concern through disinformation campaigns and attacks on government cyber networks, which are under additional strain due to increased telework. This makes the role of federal law enforcement right now extremely important,” Cosme continued. "FLEOA applauds Department of Justice guidance to focus law enforcement efforts on criminal attempts to exploit the situation. Law enforcement is our nation’s front line defense against criminals looking to cause greater unrest; however, as in every national crisis, we will not waver on our commitment to public safety.”

The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) compiled a checklist for the federal government with the recommendation that it “take these steps immediately to protect its employees from the coronavirus and halt community spread in cities and towns across the country.”

The NTEU checklist includes requests to:

·             Expand telework

·             Close government buildings

·             Authorize weather and safety leave for certain non-telework eligible employees

·             Halt all international and domestic travel

·             Make COVID-19 tests available for federal employees

·             Extend the tax filing season

·             Provide basic disinfectant supplies

·             Notify employees once an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19 or asked to self-quarantine due to possible exposure

Chad Hooper, President of the Professional Managers Association, which represents management officials and non-bargaining unit eligible employees at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), requested similar demands from the IRS, including cleaning supplies and access to telework.

Hooper commended IRS Commissioner Rettig on “making telework available to employees across the Service, expanding paid leave options, and reducing non-essential travel” as well as “empowering employees with the option to avoid all in-person taxpayer contact by a reasonable means.”

“The life of an employee should not be placed in a manager’s hands. We must encourage employees to make thoughtful decisions regarding what in-person contact should be avoided for their health. As the CDC and WHO continue to encourage social distancing, ensuring employees can minimize in-person contact with both other employees and taxpayers is critical to maintaining the health of our workforce and public,” Hooper explained in a statement.

Hooper also called upon Congress to ensure any legislation producing changes to the tax code also be accompanied by adequate investment in resources for the IRS to implement the changes.

Hooper explained, “To drop additional mandates on an already strained workforce during a time of national emergency without adequate resources to implement the mandate, in the midst of tax season, would be irresponsible and cause further confusion in a time when focus and clarity are most needed.”