Image of Page 3 of the May 1973 issue of the tabloid-size newsletter COBA News.

The photo and texts on this web page -- relating to such subjects as (1) COBA Benefit Fund review, (2) CO arrest procdures, (3) a CO slain and (4) COBA Insurance Benefits -- were extracted from Page 3 of the May 1973 issue of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association's tabloid-size newsletter COBA News.

In the early summer of 2010, Errol D. Toulon, a Monroe College professor and retired Correction Academy excutive officer, made available to this website a copy of that issue. [See image of Page 3 at right.]

Toulon also had been a first vice president of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association.

From that issue copy, the New York Correction History Society webmaster has created this four-page web presentation of extracted images and texts, one web page for each of the issue's four printed pages.

Near the bottom of each of the presentation's four web pages is a descriptive list of links to all its pages.


The following is a review of benefit improvements, old and new, which were put into effect July 15, 1969 as instituted by President Leo C. Zefereiti. These benefits are unparalleled and are considered far above and the best welfare package of any other uniformed force in the city, state and the nation.

July 15, 1969
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance was increased from $1,000 to $5,000 to be paid in the event of accidental loss of life or limb.


The New York City Department of Correction was created by chapter No. 25 of the New York City Charter. Chapter No. 25 of the New York City Administrative Code details the operation of the agency. Correction Officers are named as peace officers in section 120 of the Code of Crimnial Procedure as defined in the Criminal Procedure Law of September 1, 1971.

Off Duty — A correction officer may arrest anywhere in New York State for a felony committed in his presence, provided the arrest is made at the time the felony is committed or while giving chase.

On Duty — A correction officer may arrest anywhere in New York State for a felony he has reasonable cause to believe was committed in or out of his presence.

On or Off Duty — A correction officer may arrest anywhere in the five counties of New York City for a felony, he has reasonable cause to believe was committed, weather in or out of his presence.

On or Off Duty — A correction officer may arrest anywhere in the five counties of New York City for a misdemeanor or violation committed only in his presence.

WHEN EFFECTING AN ARREST YOU MUST STATE:

AUTHORITY I am a correction officer

PURPOSE you are under arrest

REASON for the crime of

UNLESS

The arrested person flees, resists or cannot hear or understand.

After effecting the arrest a correction fficer must verbally inform the arrested person of his rights as soon as practical. He may not question the prisoner until he has advised him of his legal rights.

After the arrested person is in your custody.

a. Get police assistance and transportation.

b. Go to the police station and report to the desk officer.

c. Give the arrested person his legal rights if you have not previously done so, remember, before questioning begins.

d. Ask for help if you need it.

e. Follow the directions the desk officer gives you.

f. Complete all necessary paper work, vouch property if any and get a receipt. Mark items or weapons with your initial.

g. Call your institution or division and report the arrest.

h. Unless a summons is issued, take your prisoner to the arraignment Pct. and have prints and photos taken.

i. The police will transport your prisoner to the Court Detension Pen.

j. Upon arrival at the court, report to the Complaint Room and follow the directions of the Assistant District Attorney, then get your prisoner and take him before the Judge.

(Continued on Page 4)

July 15, 1969
Survivor Income Benefit provides that upon the death of a Correction Officer, the spouse will receive $100 monthly for each surviving child, up to $300 monthly for 36 months. If there are no children, an additional $5,000 of Group life insurance will be paid to the beneficiary.

Sept. 15, 1969
Supplemental Maternity Benefit provides payment of up to $100 toward your out-of-pocket hospital, obstetrical and anesthesia costs incurred as a result of livebirth.

Sept. 15, 1969
Family Optical Plan was increased from $10 to: $15 for an eye examination and single vision lenses. $20 for an eye examination and bifocals or trifocals.

The Plan provides for an eye examination and a pair of prescription eyeglasses every two years.

Jan. 1, 1970
Dental Plan — The schedule of allowances was increased from a maximum of $400 to a maximum of $500.

July 15, 1971
Dental Plan — The deductible was eliminated, the schedule was further improved and the Orthodontia benefit maximum was increased from $500 to $800.

July 15, 1971
Artificial Kidney Machines — The Security Benefits Fund donated two Artificial Kidney machines to the French Polyclinic Medical School and Health Center. They are to be used by Correction Officers and their families for dialysis care.

Feb. 15, 1972
Drug Plan — The $.50 deductible was eliminated.

Feb. 15, 1972
Family Optical Plan was increased from $15 and $20. Correction Officers and their dependents are covered for:
  • An eye examination and single vision lenses up to $25.
  • An eye examination and bifocal or trifocal lenses up to $40.
  • The Plan provides for an eye examination and a pair of prescription eyeglasses every two years.
  • We enlisted a panel of Opticians who have agreed to give our members special rates and service.

Feb. 15, 1972
Supplemental Outpatient Hospital Emergency Room Benefit provides for a maxi- mum payment of up to $50 for out-of- pocket expenses for Hospital Emergency Room Services in connection with an acci- dent or incident of an emergency nature.

July 15, 1972
Drug Plan — Drug Plan pricing schedule was inproved. Druggists throughout the City agreed to cooperate with our Plan.

July 15, 1972
Supplemental Maternity Benefit — The max- imum reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses was increased from $100 to $200.


Correction Officer Joseph Lukas died last Dec. 26 after being shot by a holdupman on his way home Nov. 6. The critically wounded officer shot and wounded one of the bandits who had accosted him after he completed his 4 p.m-Midnight tour at the Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward.

Commissioner Malcolm, COBA President Leo Zeferetti and Vice Presi dent Harold Brown visited Lukas at Fordham Hospital in the Bronx after the shooting. The New York Police Department was credited with getting Lucas swift assistance. ‘

Joseph Lukas was a brave man and a fine officer,” Zeferetti said. “He always behaved in the finest traditions of the force. His death is greatly lamented.”

July 15, 1972
Pre-Paid Legal Services — The Security Benefits Fund retained a Law firm to provide legal consultation to Correction Officers and dependent members of their families.

The Law firm will advise Correction Officers and their dependents on any civil matter, such as mortgage problems, husband and wife tenancies, wills, purchase of homes, landlord-tenant matters, divorce or alimony, custody of children, etc.

Every Correction Officer will be entitled without charge to have a will prepared on his or her behalf as part of this service. This service does not relate to “on the job” incidents.

Should an Officer’s case require Court appearance by an attorney or the drafting and preparation of legal documents, the charge to the Officer will be at a special rate prearranged by the Security Benefits Fund and the Law firm.

Sept. 1, 1972
Hearing Aid Benefit — The officer or his dependent must have a referral from his physician. Bring the referral to one of the Funds approved Audio Centers. They will receive a complete audiological examination and be fitted with a standard model hearing aid, if required. The total cost to the Officer will be $35. The balance will be paid by the Fund if provided through an approved center. Should a hearing aid not be required after the examination the Officer will be required to pay $15.


Every correction officer on the payroll of the City of New York is insured as follows:
Prior to May 15, 1973 — $10,000 Life Insurance
Effective May 15, 1973 — $15,000 Life Insurance

In addition to the life insurance your qualified family members will receive Survivor Income Benefits:

Your Spouse (Husband or Wife) will receive $100 a month for 36 months for each dependent child up to a maximum of $300 per month.

However, if the Survivor Income benefits paid is less than $5,000, your beneficiary will receive an amount up to the $5,000 in addition to the above mentioned life insurance.

Members with no children — In lieu of Survivor Income benefits, your beneficiary will receive $5,000 in addition to the above life insurance benefit.

Sept. 15, 1972
Ambulance Service (For Emergency use only) — The Fund will pay up to a maximum of $25 per call for an emergency ambulance service for the Officer and his eligible dependents. Special arrangements have made with Homes Ambulance Co. for service and rates.

IN THE LINE OF DUTY — To protect our Officers in the event of a riot at any of the prisons or an emergency arising while in the line of duty, arrangements have been made for ambulance service, should same he required. The Fund will pay the full cost.

May 15. 1973
Group Life Insurance — Increased from $10,000 to $15,000. (If there is no “Qualified Family Members (eligible children) under the Survivor Income Benefits, $5,000 of additional life insurance will be payable upon death to the beneficiary.)

May 15. 1973
Supplemental Maternity Benefit — The present Supplemental Maternity Benefit will be replaced as of May 15, 1973. The new Supplemental Maternity Benefit provides for the reimbursement of your out-of-pocket hospital semi-private ROOM AND BOARD CHARGES ONLY incurred as a result of livebirth by normal delivery, after you have filed your claim with your Base Plan (GHI, HIP, Blue Cross or any insurance carrier or organization which covers you or your dependents under a Medical Plan.

The above benefits are in addition to those which were in force prior to July 15, 1969 such as dependent life insurance.


WEBMASTER NOTES: Joseph Lukas, the C.O. who was the subject of the "Correction Officer Slain" story above, may well have been the " Joseph B. Lukas, Corr. Officer #1409" listed among DOC uniformed and civilian staffers receiving Meritorious Service Awards for helping save lives in the 1957 airplane crash on Rikers Island.

The Feb. 15, 1972 entry concerning the "Drug Plan" states "The $.50 deductible was eliminated." One suspects the decimal point in front of the "50" may have been a typo rendering the amount 50 cents, an unlikely dedctible. But that is what the printed newsletter showed and thus is reproduced above.


<<< Previous

Next>>>

This is Page 3 of the New York Correction History Society's web presentation of the image and texts extracted from the May 1973 issue of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association's tabloid-size newsletter COBA News. Links to all 4 pages of the presentation -- each based on its corresponding page in the printed newsletter -- are listed below:


Also visit on this site:

To
NYCHS'
Home Page
To NYCHS'
NYC DOC
History Menu
To NYCHS'
NYC DOC
newletter lists
To
NYC DOC
Home Page
To NYC.
GOV
Home Page