Dear NYPD Retiree,

By way of an introduction, my name is Ronald Schule and I am the President of the Superior Officers’ Association (Retired) of the New York City Police Department, frequently referred to as “SOAR”. In my capacity with SOAR and on behalf of all of our members, I would initially like to take this opportunity to congratulate you upon your retirement as an active duty member of the finest Police Department in the world. Secondly, I would like to take this moment to assure you that via SOAR and similar NYPD Retiree organizations, there is a continuing opportunity for you to remain as involved with “the Job” after retirement as you choose. I sincerely hope you decide to join with us.

SOAR was organized over twenty-five years ago by approximately a dozen of us who had retired from the “job”, holding various ranks from Detective through Chief Inspector and even Police Commissioner. The common thread among all of us was twofold; First, we all felt that there was a need to form an organization to represent the common goals and fraternal interests that were shared by our prospective members after their retirement. Secondly, we wanted to remain collectively informed in order to foster and support our post-retirement goals, given the fact that, once retired, our interests could no longer be represented by the “active” line organizations.

Since inception, SOAR has continued to cultivate and develop continuing ties with the NYPD and the various active line organizations, stressing our mutual belief in a continuing common and shared purpose. In addition, SOAR is affiliated with the 10-13 Clubs of America, a National organization, representing approximately 16,000 retired NYPD officers who reside throughout the Nation. Annually, a National convention is convened in Florida to discuss matters of national and metropolitan interest to NYPD Retirees in particular and Law Enforcement Officials in general.

Throughout our history, SOAR has continued to strive to be a viable and financially sound organization. We were instrumental with other retiree organizations and the City Comptroller at the time in achieving the initial upward COLA adjustment from the existing base salary of $18,000.00 as well as the subsequent annual COLA increases of a maximum of 3% per annum, which continue through today.

SOAR maintains a viable Political Action Committee, funded with members’ voluntary contributions, resulting in significant assets which the organization utilizes to support political candidates in the metropolitan area who are pro-law enforcement. In passing, we were the first organization to endorse Mayor Blumberg’s candidacy and were acknowledged by him with an exclusive appearance at City Hall.

The organization publishes a quarterly newsletter, with a circulation of 1,500 copies, which contains current, topical information of interest to our members and every elected official of the state and municipal government

SOAR maintains a College Scholarship Fund, funded by members’ contributions. Annually, we distribute $6,000.00 to worthy children and grandchildren of our members.

Several times a year, we sponsor luncheon meetings for our members and their guests who reside in the metropolitan area. On each occasion, we select a guest speaker to address topics of current interest. In the past, we have been honored by the presence of Commissioners Murphy and Kelly, Congressmen King, D’Amato and Biaggi, various Deputy Commissioners of the Department, Comptroller Alan Hevesi, State Comptroller Carl McCall and many other persons of note from the Department and other governmental agencies.

Shortly after September 11, 2001, SOAR joined the common effort among retiree organizations, to have a meaningful role in the NYPD’s endeavors at that time. These offers of “manpower” assistance from retiree organizations resulted in the implementation of a city wide Mobilization Plan, composed of our members. The initial meeting was hosted by Commissioner Kelly at Police Headquarters, and included the formal identification and designation of participating retirees and the introduction of a future course of instruction. This endeavor served as an initial step in fostering a continuing bond between “actives” and “retirees”. We can only hope that this “first” is followed and expanded by Commissioner Brattan.

I invite you to find out more about SOAR by calling our office at (718) 352-7627 (SOAR) or contact us on line at SOARNYPD@gmail.com to request a copy of our most recent newsletter. In addition, I have annexed a copy of our application to this letter for your perusal and submission, if you choose.

In any event, I sincerely want to say “Thanks” to you for taking the time to consider the invitation of this letter to join us as a member of SOAR.

Very truly yours,

Ronald C. Schule, President
SUPERIOR OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION RETIRED