Week in Review – 10/20/20
NO on Measure J: Protect Essential Workers
Protect essential workers! Don’t let L.A. County supervisors permanently cut $500,000,000 from essential services provided by PPOA members, nurses, social workers and other public servants. Measure J is a step backward for racial justice, as it will decrease services and resources in communities where additional investments are critically needed. Vote NO on Measure J!
Visit NoMeasureJ.com for more information.
Click here to see the full list of PPOA endorsements for the November 3rd election.
Week in Review – 10/3/20
Week in Review – 9/26/20
Week in Review – 9/19/20
Week in Review – 9/12/20
Week in Review 9/5/20
TWO CRUCIAL WINS FOR PPOA MEMBERS
NO LAYOFFS!
Today, Director Lisa Garrett of the Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources officially notified the Sheriff’s Department that “a workforce reduction will not be required” as previously believed. NO LAYOFFS!
This optimal outcome is the direct result of the collaboration and coalition of labor organizations of which PPOA is a member — providing much needed political support for our arguments against further defunding of the Department and member layoffs.
PPOA members sometimes ask, “what is the union doing?” or “why pay dues?” This outcome is the answer. Without the support of our partners in labor, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFSCME District Council 36, Los Angeles County Probation Officers Union – Local 685, Los Angeles County Probation Managers Association – Local 1967, SEIU 721, Association of Los Angeles County Probation Supervisors of Los Angeles County – BU 702, and Local 1014 (Fire); PPOA and ALADS would have been fighting this battle for our members, alone. Being a member of PPOA brings you the benefits of not only what PPOA offers directly, but also the important benefits that come from the coalitions above. Unions are international and benefit millions of workers accordingly, recognizing that each step forward is a fight worth taking on. Rest assured, being a member of PPOA, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, the County Coalition of Unions, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the AFL-CIO, all play into protecting your working conditions, pay and benefits.
SENATE BILL 731 (BRADFORD) SHELVED BY CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE
Speaking of victory, during the last day of legislative session yesterday, Senate Bill 731 was NOT considered on the floor of the California State Assembly. Many special interests were fighting for consideration and passage of the measure on the last day of the 2019-2020 Legislative Session.
PPOA, working in conjunction within a broad coalition of labor organizations representing law enforcement professionals, fiercely lobbied against the flawed bill. Working only from bill drafts, your PPOA legislative experts and union leadership team joined numerous lobbying efforts to explain the faults of this bill and request a collaborative ear from Legislators. Thankfully, it appears we were heard. PPOA’s lobbying efforts focused on established relationships, partnerships with other organizations and education for the Legislators. Through the advocacy of many, Legislators developed the confidence to soundly reject this measure despite the suffocating weight of the moment. When all was said and done, our allies in the California Legislature stood with law enforcement and took action to shelve the bill and bring us into conversations in the future.
Labor organizations representing all classifications of public safety members have committed to working in good faith with Legislators next session to develop a process that makes sense. Not a single “police union” represented in this effort supports “bad apples” slipping through the cracks. PPOA, starting today, has already reached out to Legislators, looking to strengthen those collaborative relationships on this issue. A fair and impartial process to “certify” law enforcement professionals is welcome. Creating that process is in the details, which SB731, in its final writing, addressed poorly.
Today, we had a couple of major victories. Tomorrow we may not. PPOA, and all of the labor organizations listed above recognize tomorrow is another day and another challenge. As PPOA President Tab Rhodes continues to echo, you are not just a member of PPOA, but a part of the family. Today, we were informed of the good news that approximately 250 families — potentially thousands of people — will continue to have income and benefits in these historically difficult times. Today we were informed of the good news that no demotions will occur in October. Today, our members will not face “de-certification” from a committee, stacked against them. Today, is why you are a member of the PPOA family.
Recovery Continues for 18-Year LASD Veteran: ‘Whether I crawl, walk or run, I will get there’
A male suspect who brutally attacked a station jailer at Lakewood Sheriff’s Station two years ago was sentenced this week to 16 years in state prison for the cowardly assault.
On August 10, 2018, James Keoni Kalaaukahi, 29, was being booked at the Lakewood Station jail when he sucker-punched a female custody assistant in the face during fingerprinting, grabbed her taser and dragged her by her hair into a locked cell. Despite being bloodied with two black eyes, a concussion, broken nose, cervical spine injury and torn wrist ligament, our heroic C.A. managed to activate a panic button. Responding sworn personnel tried to neutralize Kalaaukahi with pepper spray but were ultimately forced to use their firearms in order to save the life of the custody assistant. Both the C.A. and Kalaaukahi were transported to the hospital for treatment. PPOA Executive Board Member/Custody Assistant Tony Coleman and Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. were at the hospital with the C.A. and her family that evening to extend support. “She is the embodiment of the C.A. position: strong, professional and courageous,” said Coleman.
The 18-year LASD veteran continues to deal with the effects of that traumatic assault. Her broken nose has been surgically repaired and her spinal surgery is scheduled for next month.
There is no doubt that her will to survive enabled her to stay in the fight until her backup arrived. The fact that our Custody Assistant has been able to return to work in a new assignment is testament to her perseverance and determination. Both of those attributes are evident in this excerpt from the Victim Impact Statement she courageously read in court:
“I will get better and yes my life has been altered but I am still here. I thank God for my work family — my heroes who came to my aide. I thank God for the prayers and support of those I know and those I met along the way. It hasn’t been an easy journey and two years into it I still have much recovery ahead... You beat me, held me captive, tried to kill me and attempted to strip all of my dignity away, but you didn’t win. With every ounce of my being, I crawled to my help line that day and I will continue to seek help for my journey ahead. As for today, whether I crawl, walk, or run, I will get there.”
