Week in Review – 5/23/2020

At the recent media briefing on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 (click here to view video) Sheriff Villanueva announced to the public his involvement with, and support of AB2655. The bill, authored by Assembly Member Gipson (AD64), as currently written reads “This bill would make it a misdemeanor for a first responder, as defined, who responds to the scene of an accident or crime to use a personal electronic device or a device belonging to their employing agency to capture the image of a deceased person for any purpose other than an official law enforcement purpose or for a genuine public interest.”  Additionally, the language continues “This bill would authorize a search warrant to be issued on the grounds that the property or things to be seized consists of evidence that tends to show that a first responder has engaged or is engaging in the crime established by this bill.”  A violation of this legislation would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in county jail and a $5000 fine, not to mention the threat of termination related to any potential administrative action by the Department.

During the briefing, Sheriff Villanueva stated he testified at the Assembly Public Safety Committee on 05/18/2020, even over the objection to this proposed legislation by PPOA and ALADS on a 1.5 hour call with the Sheriff the previous week. This legislation is nothing more than an attempt to mitigate liability to the Department as to the highly questionable actions of a few, including the Sheriff, following the helicopter crash on January 26, 2020 which took the life of Kobe Bryant and the lives of eight others. Additionally, if passed, besides the obvious criminal potential, this legislation would allow for a Department to surreptitiously utilize a search warrant to unconstitutionally seize YOUR personal cellphone or electronic device or that of ANY “first responder” at any scene of an accident or crime.

PPOA is strongly opposed to this legislation, first and foremost because we believe this to be a matter for Department policy, not state law. Our lobbying firm is in contact with the author, and like ALADS, will be making suggested amendments to address this controversial issue in a more reasonable manner. Needless to say, PPOA continues to be disappointed in Sheriff Villanueva’s “ready, fire, aim” approach to significant issues affecting our membership. PPOA will continue to defend and protect our members’ rights in the most aggressive and rigorous manner available through communication, collaboration, administrative, and if need be, legal action.

As COVID crisis enters the ninth week and the state plans to reopen, complacency with the new normal is becoming evident. Please remain safe and continue practices to protect your health. PPOA has been very active during this crisis and continues to fight for the health and safety of members. Resources are available to those members who had/have been tested positive for COVID-19. If you had/have tested positive, please contact PPOA for further information or questions. We are here to help but limited by a lack of direct communication due to privacy concerns. Only you can share your health concerns or issues.

May 16: PPOA’s Star & Shield Foundation was proud to participate in the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation Toy Drive for disabled and homeless children last Saturday. It was an honor to join a solid network of community “difference-makers” including LASD Youth Services, ALADS, CHP and LA County Fire at the Helen Evans Home in Hacienda Heights to help put smiles on the faces of children dealing with significant challenges in life.

End of Watch: May 19, 2020

May 19: Hearts have been heavy this week for friends, coworkers and family of Sheriff’s Security Assistant Anthony Hopkins. The 17-year LASD veteran died on Tuesday following a courageous battle with cancer. Security Assistant Hopkins was assigned to Pasadena Courthouse and was a valued member of PPOA for his entire career. Please keep the Hopkins family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult period.

Funeral services are delayed due to COVID-19, but condolences and flowers can be sent to:

Hopkins Family

4229 Filhurst Avenue

Baldwin Park, CA 91706

May 20: A teleconference was hosted Wednesday morning for PPOA Board Member Robert Maus, President Tab Rhodes and executives from the DA’s Bureau of Investigation to discuss issues, mostly concerning COVID-19, affecting PPOA members.

May 20: President Rhodes and Executive Director Wayne Quint joined fellow CCU representatives for their weekly meeting to discuss the economic impact of COVID-19 and its potential effect on fiscal year 2020-2021.

May 20: The 51st Los Angeles County Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony took place on Wednesday at STARS Center. Due to the pandemic, the event was streamed online (click here to view video) and not open for the public to attend in person. PPOA has been proud to help sponsor this event for decades. President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint were present for the ceremony and joined Sheriff Villanueva, LAPD Chief Michael Moore, Chief of Coroner Investigations for the LA County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Brian Elias and local law enforcement leaders in honoring fallen officers whose names will soon be added to the memorial wall. These include the following four individuals who lost their lives in service to Los Angeles County:

Officer Juan Jose Diaz

Los Angeles Police Department

End of Watch: July 27, 2019

Deputy Coroner II Michael Anton Shepherd

Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office

End of Watch: April 2, 1996

Deputy Ames Randolph Jones

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

End of Watch: March 31, 1948

Deputy William Bouett

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

End of Watch: February 18, 1913

Deputy Constable Francis Marion Culp

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

End of Watch: June 10, 1906

Deputy Constable Francis Marion Culp

Anaheim Marshal’s Office

End of Watch: September 1886

May 20: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf launched a program on Wednesday to donate one dollar from each “Heroes at Heart” coffee, tea or mug purchase to first responder organizations like California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation, California Fire Foundation, and American Nurses Association. Coffee Bean has raised over $500,000 since 2012 for first responder and military organizations and we are grateful for their continued support.

May 21: A conference call was hosted on Thursday to address and analyze COVID-19 issues impacting PPOA members. Participants included President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint, Labor Rep. Venise Wallace, Labor Rep. Teresa O’Neil, Intake Rep. Kevin Thompson and PPOA attorneys.

May 21: Sheriff Villanueva did not attend the Civilian Oversight Commission meeting Thursday to testify about the COVID-19 crisis in jails despite a subpoena ordering his appearance, which prompted the board’s vote to challenge his resistance in court. 

The panel members voted unanimously to take the matter up to the LA County Superior Court to compel Sheriff Villanueva to comply with their subpoena issued May 11 and to hold the sheriff in contempt for his failure. 

At his Wednesday media briefing (click here to view video) the Sheriff said he would not attend the meeting and would instead have Assistant Sheriff Bruce Chase address the panel. Sheriff Villanueva also offered the following explanation for defying the subpoena: “Regarding the commission’s subpoena, you have to understand … the subpoena, Measure R, the ordinance enacted by the Board of Supervisors, all these things were generated without any oversight, without any third-party independent legal analysis of its constitutionality. That still remains in doubt, and until that issue is resolved I will not be adhering to any subpoena issued by either entity — be it the inspector general or the Oversight Commission.”

As promised by the Sheriff, LASD was represented at Thursday’s meeting by Assistant Sheriff Chase, who Villanueva said “volunteered his time to go and testify to the commission and give them an update on all the COVID-19 efforts we are engaged in.”

Click here to read the Santa Clarita Valley Signal article about these developments.

Star & Shield Foundation Discount Uniform Store