Full-time “law enforcement officers” and “fire fighters” who were employed and established membership before October 1, 1977, are covered by LEOFF Plan 1.
A “law enforcement officer” is any person who is commissioned and employed by an employer on a full-time, fully compensated basis as a county sheriff, deputy sheriff, police chief, city police officer, town marshal or deputy marshal. In some cases, directors of public safety and public safety officers may qualify if they are employed by cities or towns with populations of 10,000 or less.
City police are considered law enforcement officers only if they have been appointed to office, positions, or ranks specifically created and designated by city charter provision or by ordinance.
A "fire fighter" is any person who is employed in a uniformed fire fighter position by an employer on a full-time, fully compensated basis, and as a consequence of such employment, has the legal authority and responsibility to direct or perform fire protection activities that are required for and directly concerned with preventing, controlling and extinguishing fires. This includes supervisory fire fighter personnel.
“Fire protection activities” may include incidental functions such as housekeeping, equipment maintenance, grounds maintenance, fire safety inspections, lecturing, performing community fire drills and inspecting homes and schools for fire hazards. These activities qualify as fire protection activities only if the primary duty of your position is preventing, controlling and extinguishing fires.
A "covered employer" is the legislative authority of any city, town, county or district or the elected officials of any municipal corporation that employs any law enforcement officer and/or fire fighter in the state of Washington.
If you were first hired as a law enforcement officer or fire fighter after August 1, 1971, you were required to meet minimum medical and health standards in order to become a member of the plan. If you separate from LEOFF-covered service, you will be required to meet these standards again to be eligible for plan membership.
The medical examination required to determine whether you meet the standards is to be administered by a physician appointed by your local city or county disabiity board and paid for by your employer. The standards govern admission to the plan only; they are not employment standards.
Elected sheriffs and appointed police and fire chiefs are exempt from the age requirement specified in the standards.
If you re-enter LEOFF-covered employment and are denied Plan 1 membership because you do not meet the minimum medical and health standards when required to do so, you must become a member of Plan 2. If this happens to you, DRS will send you information about your membership status and your appeal rights.