By JIM DeVRIES, MCOLES Board Member

On March 20, 2003 our nation engaged Iraq in a war that few ever thought would continue through 2008. As a result of the length of this conflict, our citizenry is impacted in a number of ways. Few of us know military reservists that have not been called to active duty. Some have seen multiple tours and have had continuing exposure to combat. Law enforcement is well represented among the ranks of active duty military personnel in this war.

Among combat veterans returning to civilian life, an alarming number have indicated symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is an insidious ailment that can make life miserable for sufferers and their loved ones, and it has produced tragedies.

There are no reliable markers to identify susceptible personalities or conditions most likely to produce PTSD. Law enforcement personnel are not immune! Obviously, individuals afflicted with PTSD need and deserve professional help. In an effort to help our own and improve law enforcement responses to all situations involving PTSD, MCOLES has organized panel discussions with military personnel to examine the symptoms of this problem and the services available to the afflicted. More on that in the future.

In our last issue, I reported on the MCOLES Active Duty Firearm Standard and how this measure takes us closer to full implementation in Michigan of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA). There is more news on that front today.

On June 17, the Senate Judiciary Committee conducted its hearing and reported out favorably on House Bill 4611. This bill was requested by MCOLES to create, within state government, the capacity to implement provisions of the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA) that pertain to retired law enforcement officers. Retired officers are afforded, by way of LEOSA, interstate privileges carry firearms; provided that they become state certified under the same standards that active officers must meet. HB 4611 would authorize MCOLES to provide access for retired officers to the MCOLES Active Duty Firearm Standard within the state's law enforcement training structure. The bill would also designate MCOLES with responsibility to provide LEOSA certifications to law enforcement retirees who reside in this state and meet the state's standard. As a result of the Judiciary Committee's action, HB 4611 is one step further toward a vote by the full Senate and the Governor's signature.