The United Federation of Police Officers today announced the settlement of a new three year labor contract agreement with the town of Brewster Massachusetts that includes base pay increases, educational incentive, vacation increases, sick leave incentives, better bereavement leave, training stipend, increase in shift differential, court time, swaps and mental health wellness days for the members.  This settlement reinforces the union’s shared commitment to maintaining strong public safety services for all communities it represents.

The agreement represents an important step forward in the town recognizing the critical role their police dispatchers and public safety personnel play in emergency responses, coordination, and community protection. Union Representative Sean R. McArdle said the settlement reflects a balanced approach that supports its workforce while helping ensure continuity, reliability, and effectiveness in Brewster’s public safety operations.

Under the terms of the settlement, the labor contract provides for 19.4 percent base pay increases over three years is intended to better reflect the responsibilities and demands of the profession, support retention and recruitment, and strengthen the long-term stability of the dispatch operations in Brewster. McArdle emphasized that investing in the current dispatch personnel is essential to sustaining high-quality emergency communications and responsive public safety services.

“This settlement is a meaningful investment in the dispatch professionals who serve on the front lines of the town’s public safety every day,” said McArdle. “By securing fair pay and benefits through this labor contract, the town showed it is supporting the dedicated men and women who help keep Brewster safe and ensuring that their public safety systems remain strong and effective into the further.”

The United Federation of Police Officers noted that the settlement demonstrates the value of a strong experienced union negotiator, a collaborative effort in negotiations and a shared focus on responsible solutions that benefit employees, employers, and the public alike. Additional information about the agreement, including implementation details and effective dates, will be shared as appropriate.

About the United Federation of Police Officers
The United Federation of Police Officers represents public safety professionals and advocates for fair working conditions, competitive compensation, and the resources needed to protect the communities they serve.

Yesterday, United Federation of Police Officers Sean McArdle and Christopher Hoar both attended a State Transportation Board meeting in Newport, VT to support a petition to dedicate a portion of Interstate 91 in honor of Federal Law Enforcement Officer Christopher ‘David’ Maland, who was tragically shot and killed in the line of duty on January 20, 2025.

Below is the written statement Sean McArdle provided last year:

December 28, 2025

Subject: Honoring Federal Law Enforcement Officer David ‘Chris’ Maland

To Whom It May Concern,

On behalf of the United Federation of Police Officers, I am writing to formally express our strong support for the naming of a portion of Interstate 91, in the name of Federal Law Enforcement Officer David ‘Chris’ Maland who was tragically killed in the line of duty. As a founding member of the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., the UFPO has long been committed to ensuring the sacrifices of fallen officers are honored with dignity, permanence, and respect. The renaming of this stretch of highway would be a meaningful continuation of this important mission.

This designation will honor the life of Officer Maland and their unwavering commitment, deep sense of duty, and the tremendous sacrifice they made. By adopting the Maland name, we pay tribute to the character and courage which defined their service, while ensuring the surviving family’s sacrifice is recognized with the respect it deserves. This tribute will stand as a lasting reminder of the values Officer Maland lived by and the profound impact one dedicated officer can have on a community and their country.

We respectfully urge the relevant authorities and decision makers to approve the naming of a section of Interstate 91 in honor of Officer David ‘Chris’ Maland. We are confident this change will be embraced by the community and serve as a meaningful symbol of their steadfast support for law enforcement officers.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Please feel free to contact us if you require any additional information or wish to discuss our endorsement further.

As we remember our heroes “Jessica’s Law” has officially become law in the State of Vermont with Governor Phil Scott’s signing of S.89.

This is an extremely proud moment for the United Federation of Police Officers, Vermont Police Association and without question, the most meaningful accomplishment I’ve personally been a part of in my career.

This effort began following the tragic line of duty death of Rutland City Police Department’s Officer Jessica Ebbighausen. Officer Ebbighausen’s loss shook the entire law enforcement community and served as a painful reminder of the risks our officers face every single day in service to others.

In the same year Officer Ebbighausen was killed, I became President of the Vermont Police Association and made a promise we’d put every effort into ensuring all of Vermont’s law enforcement officers were included in the State’s line of duty death benefits for surviving families. At the time, Vermont stood alone as the only state in New England without a state-paid line of duty death benefit for law enforcement officers.

We changed that!

“Jessica’s Law” ensures the sacrifice made by officers who give their lives in the line of duty will never again be met with the absence of state support for their surviving loved ones. While no law can ever heal the pain carried by surviving families, because what they’ve sacrificed is beyond our power to repay, this legislation sends a message the State of Vermont stands behind those left behind.

Action often results in struggle and errors, and this cause is what it means to dare greatly. There’re many people deserving of recognition for helping make this possible and the credit belongs to all of those who actively engaged in this worthy cause over the years.

We cannot thank Representative Mark Higley enough for sponsoring the first iterations of this bill and believing in its importance from the very beginning. Representative Ashley Bartley, Emilie Krasnow, State Representative, Representative Marc Mihaly, the members of the House Committees on General & Housing, and Legislative Counsel Sophie Zdatny for devoting an incredible amount of time, effort, and energy to these efforts over the years and never giving up on it.

Many thanks are also owed to Tanya Vyhovsky, Vermont State Senator, Senator Brian Collamore, and the members of the Senate Committee on Government Operations for their significant contributions in helping get S.89 passed this year.

We also want to sincerely thank Governor Phil Scott and the rest of the Vermont Legislature for recognizing the importance of this issue and ensuring this legislation crossed the finish line.

This accomplishment is for every law enforcement officer in Vermont, every surviving family member, and every person who believes those who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to others should never be forgotten.

Christopher Hoar
President, Vermont Police Association

Lobbyist, United Federation of Police Officers

D-Day, June 6, 1944, stands as one of the most significant moments of the Second World War. On that day, Allied forces launched the Normandy landings, the opening assault of Operation Overlord, in a bold effort to break through Nazi defenses in occupied France. The scale of the operation was unprecedented, involving roughly 160,000 Allied troops supported by thousands of ships and aircraft. By establishing a foothold in Normandy, the Allies began the hard and costly campaign that would help liberate Western Europe.

The landings at Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches demanded extraordinary bravery. Service members faced fierce resistance, dangerous surf, fortified defenses, and immense uncertainty, yet they pressed forward. Their courage came at a tremendous human cost, and D-Day remains a solemn reminder of the price of freedom. It is also a testament to international cooperation, as forces from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations fought side by side in a common cause.

Remembering D-Day is more than marking a date on the calendar. It is about honoring those who served, mourning those who never returned, and recognizing the resilience of all who endured the war. Their example calls on us to value peace, defend democracy, and teach future generations why this history must never be forgotten. On this anniversary, the United Federation of Police Officers’ pauses in gratitude and remembrance for all who helped change the world on June 6, 1944.

On this Memorial Day, the United Federation of Police Officers’ pauses with solemn gratitude to honor the courageous men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our nation. This day stands as a profound reminder of the cost of freedom and the extraordinary sacrifice made by those who answered the call to serve with duty, bravery, and unwavering commitment for our Nation.

Memorial Day is more than a date on the calendar; it is an occasion for reflection, remembrance, and respect. It invites us to recognize the selflessness of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to acknowledge the enduring debt of gratitude owed by a grateful nation. Their service and devotion continue to inspire us and remind us of the values of honor, courage, and unity that strengthen our communities and our country.

As we gather with family, friends, and neighbors, may we do so with thoughtful remembrance of those whose sacrifice made such moments possible. Let us take time to honor their memory, support the families who carry their legacy forward, and renew our shared commitment to service, compassion, and civic responsibility. On this Memorial Day, we extend our deepest respect to the fallen and our sincere gratitude to all who have served. We wish you a meaningful, reflective, and peaceful day of remembrance.

We’re excited to announce that the United Federation of Police Officers’ has partnered with the Vermont Police Association for the first annual charity golf tournament, taking place on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the Montague Golf Club. This event will bring together community members, legislative leaders, and law enforcement professionals from across the Northeast States for a day of camaraderie, competition, and for meaningful cause.

We’re currently seeking sponsors to help make this inaugural event a success. All proceeds from the tournament will directly to startup and support the Vermont Police Association’s charitable initiatives, including programs that benefit injured police officers, their families, and survivor support efforts throughout Vermont.

There are a variety of sponsorship opportunities designed to provide meaningful visibility for your organization, including prize support and donations. Our sponsorship opportunities can be viewed at: https://www.vtvpa.org/golf-classic-sponser

Your sponsorship not only helps fund critical programs, but will also demonstrate your organization’s commitment to supporting those who serve our communities every day.

Thank you for your consideration and support. All UFPO locals playing should also email crhoar@ufpo.us

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On this Peace Officers Memorial Day, observed during our Nation’s time-honored Police Week, we pay tribute to the men and women of law enforcement who have devoted their lives to safeguarding our families and communities.  Our grateful country joins them in honoring the memory of the fallen officers who gave their lives protecting their fellow citizens, and we stand resolutely beside the families they left behind.  We also recognize those who have been injured in the line of duty and the families who have stood faithfully by their side through hardship and recovery, and we pledge our steadfast support to those who continue to wear the badge. 

Before I took office, America was gripped by a left-wing-fueled lawlessness that shook the very foundations of our society.  Through soft-on-crime policies, rampant illegal immigration, and reckless cashless bail programs, crime surged to historic heights while American families suffered and our cities descended into chaos — placing our brave officers needlessly in harm’s way.  Through it all, the officers standing on the front lines never faltered in their duty to protect the innocent and confront the guilty, yet they were too often hindered, and even punished, for carrying out the mission they had sworn to uphold. 

Since returning to office, I have worked to fulfill my promise to the American people that my Administration would restore law and order to every corner of this land.  I immediately directed Federal resources into our country’s most crime-ridden cities to assist local law enforcement, standing shoulder to shoulder with them in their vital mission.  We have also taken decisive action to end so called “sanctuary state” laws concocted by the Biden-Harris administration, where the price was paid in blood by innocent Americans and by the brave law enforcement officers forced to watch criminal illegal aliens walk free and commit horrific crimes that could have been prevented.  By stripping away these dangerous impediments to law enforcement, we are empowering police to do their jobs fully and freely, and the results speak for themselves — in our Nation’s capital, crime has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded, and peace has returned to the streets of many storied American cities.  Today, on-duty law enforcement officer deaths have dropped to an 80-year low — and we have seen dramatic reductions in rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, shooting deaths, traffic fatalities, and overdose deaths. 

Last summer, I was proud to sign the Working Families Tax Cuts Act which includes no tax on overtime, ensuring our police officers can keep more of their hard-earned paycheck as they work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.  I also signed an Executive Order on Taking Steps to End Cashless Bail to Protect Americans, ending cashless bail within the Federal justice system for every offense that poses a clear danger to public safety.  Under my leadership, never again will our citizens be preyed upon by repeat offenders who belong behind bars.  I remain firmly committed to seeing that violent criminals are locked away, that law enforcement has every tool at their disposal to do their jobs well, and that American families can once again live in peace and safety from sea to shining sea.

On this Peace Officers Memorial Day, we solemnly commemorate the officers who gave their lives in the line of duty across our Nation.  Throughout Police Week, we honor the sacrifices of our law enforcement community and the families who stand beside them.  United in gratitude, we recommit ourselves to supporting those who keep the peace in our neighborhoods, and we offer our heartfelt appreciation for the service they render to community and country.  Their steady presence brings calm to our streets, their dedication preserves the order that allows our Nation to flourish, and their unwavering vigilance is the reason families across America can rest under the promise of a safer tomorrow.

By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as amended (Public Law 87-726, 76 Stat. 676), and by Public Law 105-225 (36 U.S.C. 136-137), the President has been authorized and requested to designate May 15 of each year as “Peace Officers Memorial Day” and the week in which it falls as “Police Week.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 10 through May 16, 2026, as Police Week.  I call upon all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.  I also call on the Governors of the States and Territories and officials of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

                              DONALD J. TRUMP

It is with profound sorrow that the United Federation of Police Officers express our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and fellow Maine Game Wardens of the bravery of Warden Joshua Tibbetts who gave his life in the line of duty on Tuesday in Avon Maine in a plane crash. Warden Tibbetts was on a routine aerial fish stocking mission for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, flying from Crystal Lake in Gray to Rangeley and then east to Avon to help stock lakes and ponds with trout and salmon. Aerial stocking is a common practice, with Maine warden pilots releasing over 182,000 fish annually. The sacrifice made in service to the State of Maine is a solemn reminder of the risks our law enforcement officers face each day to ensure our safety and well-being. This Warden’s unwavering dedication, courage, and sense of duty will never be forgotten. Their legacy lives on in the countless lives they touched and the difference they made through their selfless commitment.

We stand in solidarity with all those grieving this loss, honoring not only the memory of the Warden Joshua Tibbetts but also the values for which he stood. As we reflect on their service, let us extend our deepest sympathies and support to those left behind, offering comfort during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Warden Tibbetts loved ones, Maine Game Warden, and the entire State of Maine, as we remember and pay tribute.

Please join National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Fund and the United Federation of Police Officers’ at 8pm tonight (May 13th) on Mall in Washington, D.C., thousands of family members, friends, colleagues, and law enforcement supporters will come together to honor the 363 fallen officers during the 38th Candlelight Vigil. Together, we will gather in solemn reflection, support surviving families, and recognize those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

“This National Police Week we celebrate the bravery and integrity of all law enforcement officers who selflessly dedicate their lives in service to our communities. We also honor the courage of those who lost their lives in the line of duty and extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones,” said UFPO and National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Fund Board of Directors Member Sean R. McArdle. “We are grateful for our law enforcement members who continue to respond to the call of duty and show up for our communities when they are needed the most. These courageous men and women work tirelessly to improve public safety; we are proud to represent and support them.” 

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation comes together to honor the courage, sacrifice and dedication of law enforcement officers. Originally established in 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices in protecting our communities with dedication and courage. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which falls on May 15 every year, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty and all federal government flags are to fly has half-staff.

Each year, hundreds of names of officers killed in the line of duty are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Each year the UFPO has the honor of reading some of these names aloud during the annual Candlelight Vigil to memorialize those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This year UFPO Board Member, Officer Joshua Lake will be reading names on behalf of the United Federation of Police Officer’s. Officer Lake stated “this is a great honor on behalf of UFPO to be able to read the names of my fallen brothers and sister”.

The 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil will be held on Wednesday, May 13 on the Mall in Washington, DC. 

Join the National Police Dog Foundation and members of the UFPO for “We Remember the Heroes” National Police K-9 Memorial Service. The National Canine Memorial Service is an annual event held on May 11^th dedicated to honoring the extraordinary contributions and sacrifices of service and working dogs across the country. This solemn occasion brings together handlers, families, and supporters to pay tribute to canines that have served in roles in law enforcement, search and rescue, and therapy. Through heartfelt speeches, ceremonial activities, and moments of remembrance, the service acknowledges the unwavering loyalty and bravery of these remarkable animals.

Attendees will gather at National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial site at 1pm, where wreaths are laid, stories are shared, and the names of fallen canine heroes are read aloud. The event serves as an opportunity for communities to express gratitude, foster awareness of canine service roles, and support ongoing initiatives that benefit both working dogs and their handlers