Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers AssociationLos Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association

Greg Torres

COVID-19 / PPOA FAQ – Part Five

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This is Number Five of a continuing effort to provide PPOA members with relevant timely information. Below is the latest information regarding Facial Coverings, Paid Administrative Leave and Department Required Notifications in relation to COVID-19.  Please be advised that the guidance and information provided may change at a moment’s notice. Any such change will be forwarded to the membership as soon as possible.  

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 and guidance from Los Angeles  Public Health Professionals please go to http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

1. Do I have to wear a facial covering while at work? 

As of April 15, 2020, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, following a Board of Supervisors’ motion, has mandated the use of facial coverings.

Department members shall wear a facial covering, whose duties require contact with other employees and/or the public, unless in a situation where a facial covering inhibits officer’s safety. A facial covering’s primary function is to protect other people from being contaminated by the wearer. Facial coverings may help prevent self-contamination by preventing the wearer from touching their mouth and nose area.

Facial coverings must meet the below listed specifications:

(1) The facial covering shall not significantly affect verbal communication. For example, a cloth facial covering should not prevent personnel from giving clear verbal commands to a suspect or communicating clearly via radio.

(2) Cloth facial coverings should be washable for decontamination purposes, have elastic ear over loops and be made of tightly woven cotton or similar tightly woven material which allows for near normal breathing while preventing particulate matter from passing through. Multiple layers of material are acceptable.

(3) Facial coverings should be solid colors only; no patterns (writing/insignias are not permitted and accessories are not permitted to be affixed to the mask)

PPOA has recently distributed hundreds of facial coverings to PPOA members across the Department and is currently engaged in efforts to receive additional facial coverings for future distribution.

  

PPOA receives donation of medical-type masks from Yi Li, President of Renogy, www.renogy.com. We wish to thank both Ms. Li for the donation and Assembly Member Phillip Chen for the assistance in coordinatng this donation, as well as their concern for our members.

 

PPOA President Tab Rhodes donating masks to Patrol Divisions, accepted by Assistant Sheriff Steve Gross

 

PPOA President Tab Rhodes donating masks to Custody Divisions, accepted by Assistant Sheriff Bruce Chase

PPOA Secretary Tony Coleman donating masks to members at the PDC facilities. Pictured with Mr. Coleman are (left to right) Sergeant Cereoli, Captain Holloway, Sergeant Abal, and Custody Assistant Thorne.

 

Although PPOA’s goal is to ensure that every PPOA member has a facial covering for personal use, do not abandon efforts to obtain appropriate PPEs through your designated chain of command. 

If you have any questions or require additional information regarding the use of facial coverings, the DOC is available 24 hours at (323) 980-2101, or COVID19DOCNOTIFICATIONS@lasd.org

2. Will I be eligible for Paid Administrative Leave if I was sent home for COVID-19 related reasons?

COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave is available to any Department employee (including any employee ordered home prior to April 1, 2020) who was ordered by a Department supervisor to remain home —AND—who was unable to work or telework because of one of the reasons delineated below:

An employee who meets COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave eligibility criteria should contact the supervisor who ordered them to remain home and request the ordering supervisor submit an “Authorization for COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave Form” on their behalf.  The Form is available on Personnel Administration Bureau’s Pay, Leaves, and Records Units’ Intranet site. 

According to Department guidance, the Ordered Absence will not exceed 30 calendar days unless authorized by the Sheriff. Information regarding the Ordered Absence is confidential and will not be contained in the employee’s personnel file or referenced in the employee’s performance evaluation or on any appraisal of promotability.

 

3. If a coworker tests positive for COVID-19, is the Department obligated to inform me?

Yes, the Department is obligated to inform you when you have come into close contact with a coworker who has tested positive for COVID-19. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act prevents the Department from revealing the identity of a specific coworker who may have tested positive for COVID-19, the Department is still mandated to inform all employees whenever they are exposed to a coworker known to have COVID-19. The Department must make notification to and should have follow up questions for any employee who had “close contact” with the COVID-19 positive individual.

The CDC defines “close contact” as “a person that has been within six feet of the infected employee for a prolonged period of time.” In settings where the individual is known to have COVID-19, it is reasonable to define a prolonged exposure as any exposure greater than a few minutes. Brief interactions are less likely to result in transmission; however, symptoms and the type of interaction (e.g., did the person cough directly into the face of the individual) remain important and should motivate further inquiry from Department supervisors in order to obtain the full extent of potential coworker infection.

In accordance with all relevant CDC and California Department of Health requirements, PPOA is making every effort to ensure that the Department immediately notifies any Department member who comes into close contact with an individual known to have COVID-19. If you believe that the Department did not make immediate notification of a coworker’s positive COVID-19 diagnosis and allowed you to have close contact with a coworker known to have COVID-19, please contact PPOA at (323) 261-3010.

As mentioned in Part One, additional information about COVID-19 can be found by visiting the Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites. 

County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Websites

 

Dated: April 18, 2020

Week in Review: 4/11/2020

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COVID-19 Conference with PPOA Legal Team

April 6: Monday represented the first regularly scheduled meeting of the week for PPOA President Tab Rhodes, Executive

Director Wayne Quint, Labor Rep. Venise Wallace, Labor Rep. Teresa O’Neil, Intake Rep. Kevin Thompson and PPOA attorneys to address and analyze COVID-19 issues impacting PPOA members.

 

 

COVID-1​9 Conference with Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner

April 7: A teleconference was hosted on Tuesday for PPOA Board Member Joyce Kato, Executive Director Quint, Labor Rep. Wallace, Labor Rep. O’Neil and executives from the Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Discussions centered on COVID-19 but also included the recent employee overpayment issues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional COVID-19 Conference with PPOA Legal Team
April 8: Wednesday morning represented the second regularly scheduled meeting of the week for PPOA President Rhodes, Executive Director Wayne Quint, Labor Rep. Wallace, Labor Rep. O’Neil, Intake Rep. Thompson and PPOA attorneys to continue addressing and analyzing COVID-19 issues impacting PPOA members.
 

 

 

COVID-19 Conference with DA’s Office

April 8: A teleconference was hosted Wednesday morning for Board Member Robert Maus, President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint and executives from the DA’s Bureau of Investigation to discuss issues, many of which were COVID-19 related, affecting PPOA members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19 Medical Privacy Issues Addressed

April 8: On Wednesday, President Rhodes addressed medical privacy issues that resulted from Sheriff Villanueva’s recent message to LASD personnel. The video update from President Rhodes was emailed to all active PPOA members. If you have not yet watched it, please click here.

COVID-19 Conference with LA County Public Safety Unions

April 9: On Thursday, a COVID-19 teleconference was hosted for leaders of LA County public safety unions. These weekly meetings provide an important roundtable discussion for PPOA, ALADS, County Fire, Probation and Lifeguards. This week’s meeting was extremely informative regarding even more anticipated changes to be enacted and revisions to current practices to be implemented at the County level. As these protocols come to fruition, PPOA will update membership through emails, video briefings, Facebook, our website and mobile app.

 

COVID-19 Conference with Labor Organizations and LA County CEO

April 9: President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint joined fellow representatives from the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) and other LA County labor organizations to address the impact of COVID-19 on union members. PPOA is grateful to LA County CEO Sachi Hamai for hosting these weekly meetings and for postponing her previously-scheduled retirement in order to lead the county through the unprecedented challenges of the current pandemic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PPOA Board of Directors Meeting

April 9: The monthly PPOA board meeting took place via video conference on Thursday. Directors in attendance included: President Tab Rhodes, Vice President Jim Blankenship, Secretary Tony Coleman, Treasurer Robert Maus and Directors Jody Clounch, Joyce Kato, Chris Lee, Carlos Marquez, Tony Romo, John Satterfield, Jim Schallert and Ryan Vienna.

 

New Comprehensive COVID-19 Resource Page Added to PPOA.COM

April 8: On Thursday morning, PPOA launched a new comprehensive resource web page for COVID-19 news. Please see PPOA.COM for details and regular updates on all COVID-19 issues impacting PPOA members.

 

Dual Track Settlement Agreement

April 9: PPOA and the Sheriff’s Department came to an agreement on Thursday to eliminate the Dual Track career path. We are particularly pleased to report, that as the result of this agreement, the remaining 51 Dual Track sergeants will have the opportunity to participate in future promotional examinations. The agreement also allows all remaining Dual Track sergeants and lieutenants to have a career path to the rank of Captain

 

Stay Informed — Stay Connected with PPOA

PPOA members: Please make every effort to stay connected with PPOA as we all navigate through the constantly evolving realities of this pandemic. Make sure you read our email blasts, follow us on Facebook, download the PPOA mobile app and visit PPOA.COM. We are committed to keeping all PPOA members informed of the issues affecting your career and personal safety.

 

 

 

PPOA and Sheriff’s Department Reach Agreement to Eliminate Dual Track Career Path

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After almost a year of conversations and negotiations, PPOA and the Sheriff’s Department finalized an agreement today (April 10, 2020) to eliminate future use of the Dual Track career path, while protecting through amendment to the MOU, the promotional rights of 51 existing Dual Track sergeants and lieutenants.
 
The time-consuming process involved to complete this agreement, which is in effect through the term of the existing MOU, was the culmination of numerous meetings with PPOA members, the County, the Department, and legal counsel. We are particularly pleased to report, that as the result of this settlement agreement, the remaining 51 Dual Track sergeants and lieutenants will have the opportunity to participate in future promotional examinations, the same as their peers, throughout the Department. Additionally, the agreement allows all remaining 51 Dual Track sergeants and lieutenants to have a career path to the rank of Captain.

COVID-19 Update: Medical Privacy and the Sheriff’s message

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Please be sure stay connected with PPOA for further updates.
 
Additional information about COVID-19 can be found by visiting the Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
 
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Links
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Links

 

 

 
 
 
 
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Uniform Authorization for LASD Security Assistants & Security Officers

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To: All LASD Security Officers & Security Assistants
From: PPOA Board Member/Security Officer Jody Clounch
 
Hello PPOA Members. I hope this message finds you and your loved ones in good health and staying as safe as possible, given our current circumstances. Please know that the PPOA board and staff are working closely with department and county executives to prioritize your personal safety. If you have not yet read the series of Frequently Asked Question that PPOA has emailed to all members, please click here to get up to date on everything from cancelled vacations to personal protective equipment to emergency leave.
 
I do have some positive news to report: the Sheriff’s Department has issued an official authorization of Class B Uniforms for LASD Security Officers and Security Assistants. Please see the document below:
While this authorization technically applies during the COVID-19 pandemic, please know know that I am currently working with the county to revise this verbiage in our Manual of Policies and Procedures (MPP). This process actually began years ago when I proposed Class B uniforms to the LASD Uniform Committee. Although the uniform was approved following my presentation to the committee, the verbiage was not revised in the MPP. That is finally about to be rectified thanks to a team effort from PPOA and Sheriff’s Department representatives. I want to specifically thank LT. Rohrbach and PPOA President Tab Rhodes for helping me get this resolved once and for all.
 
Lastly, I want to thank each of you for your dedication and professionalism during the last few weeks. These are unprecedented times and we are all adapting to new guidelines and tasks. It’s not easy but together, we will get through this.
 
If you have questions or need assistance from PPOA, please send your email to info@ppoa.com.
 
Sincerely,
 
JODY CLOUNCH
PPOA Board Member
Security Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 

COVID-19 / PPOA FAQ – Part Four

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Emailed to PPOA Members on April 4th
 
This is Number Four of a continuing effort to provide PPOA members with relevant timely information. Below is the latest information regarding Emergency Paid Sick Leave in relation to COVID-19. While PPOA seeks to give you the latest and most accurate information, circumstances may change resulting in Policy revisions. We will endeavor to provide you updated information as we acquire it.
 
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 and guidance from Los Angeles Public Health Professionals please go to: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
 
1. Who is eligible for the EPSL leave? *
 
  • Employees who are under Federal Quarantine due to travel to China, Italy, South Korea, Japan and most out of Country travel, after 2/07/2020.
  • Employees who have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19.
  • Employees who are exposed to someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • Employees who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever of 100.4, sore throat, shortness of breath)
  • Employees who are ordered home to quarantine by the employer.
  • The County will be putting 80 hours on the books for all employees, coded specifically for the COVID-19 crisis.
 
*EPSL leave for childcare, or caring for another at home, is also available. Specific guidance will be provided soon.
 
 
2. How much EPSL will I be entitled to?
 
  • Full-time employees will be eligible for up to 80 hours of EPSL if they meet one of the above criteria. Part-time employees are entitled to the average number of hours they are normally scheduled to work over a two-week period. All eligible employees may take EPSL and may use it prior to using other available leave time.
  • EPSL taken for any of the above reasons will be capped at $511 per day and $5,110 in total. We are still awaiting clarification from the County regarding potential compensation for PPOA members who earn more than the $511 per day allotment imposed by the federal act.
  • The hours should appear on your pay stubs by 4/30/2020, but usable back to April 1, 2020.
 
 
3. What happens if I do not use any or all of my 80 hours of EPSL?
 
  • Paid sick time provided under this Act does not carryover from one year to the next.
  • Employees are not entitled to reimbursement for unused EPSL leave upon termination, resignation, retirement or other separation from employment.
 
 
4. For leave taken before April 01, 2020 will my regular leave banks be restored after the COVID-19 crisis?
 
  • PPOA is making every effort to ensure that all leave balances for every PPOA member will be restored after the COVID-19 crisis.
  • On April 02, 2020 Sheriff Villanueva committed to granting paid administrative leave to all LASD personnel who had been ordered off of work before April 01, 2020. PPOA is monitoring the situation.

PPOA emailed a COVID-19 video update from President Tab Rhodes to all members yesterday. If you have not yet watched it, please do so by clicking here:

Please make sure to contact PPOA at (323) 261-3010 with any workplace issues involving COVID-19.
 
Additional information about COVID-19 can be found by visiting PPOA.COM and the links below for County of LA Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 
 
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Links
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Links

COVID-19 Update for Members

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Please be sure stay connected with PPOA for further updates.
 
Additional information about COVID-19 can be found by visiting the Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
 
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Links
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Links

LASD Hometown Heroes: SGT Afsoon Nafissi

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Deep within the halls of the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Afsoon Nafissi works diligently away on the 8th floor as the Access to Care Bureau, Operations Sergeant.

Sergeant Nafissi graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, San Bernardino. She went on to pursue her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University in Alabama. Currently, she is in the process of obtaining her Doctorate Degree in Business from Columbia Southern University.

“Ever since I was in high school, I desired to become a Law Enforcement Officer. Yet, time and time again the expectations of becoming a Doctor or Lawyer was instilled upon me by so many people in my extended family and community,” says Sergeant Nafissi.

When asked about her thoughts on Women’s equality, Sergeant Nafissi says she works equally as hard as her male counterparts and is blessed to work for a Department like the LASD. “I find a lot of my professional inspiration comes from witnessing trailblazing Executive Leaders in the Sheriff’s Department like Assistant Sheriff Robin Limon and Captain Tania Plunkett from Access to Care Bureau.”

As we reflect upon Women’s History Month, Sergeant Nafissi wants to let young ladies with a desire to become Deputy Sheriff know, “Sometimes what is expected of us from others is not what we want to achieve. Always remember, do not give up, put your mind to it, and work on making it happen. You can become successful in anything you believe in.”

Hometown Heroes Needed. Are you in?
LASDcareers.org
#lasd #joinlasd

COVID-19 / PPOA FAQ – Part Three

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 Emailed to PPOA members on March 28th.
 
This is Number Three of a continuing effort to provide PPOA members with relevant, timely information. Below is the latest information received from the LASD, County and Government agencies regarding COVID-19. Please be advised that the guidance and information provided may change at a moment’s notice. Any such change will be forwarded to the membership as soon as possible.  
 
1. Will I receive PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) from the Department?
 
Most workers at high or very high exposure risk will be provided and need to wear PPE’s (typically gloves and mask).
 
Employers are obligated to provide their workers with PPE needed to keep them safe while performing their jobs. The types of PPE required during a COVID-19 outbreak will be based on the risk of being infected with COVID-19 while working at job tasks that may lead to exposure.
 
Currently, the County is working to distribute PPE to all affected County agencies and their employees in a manner that correlates with their respective risk of exposure to COVID-19. The County has identified four (4) tier priorities for resource requests:
 
  1. Health Care Workers,
  2. Public Safety,
  3. Services Providers, and
  4. City, County, Special District and Critical Infrastructure.
 
The California Department of Health Care Services and the County continue to meet daily to develop updated strategies to make sure all County workers subject to exposure will be provided PPE in accordance with the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (“CDC”) recommendations.
 
2. What kind of PPE will I be provided?
 
The kind of PPE that will be provided to you will be based on what kind of job duties you perform in relation to the COVID-19 crisis and the perceived level of risk of exposure associated with your job duties.
 
Public Safety Personnel would fall into risk categories depending on the specific job duties being performed in relation to COVID-19. In areas where there is ongoing community transmission, workers in this category may have contact with the general public (e.g., in jail facilities, courthouses, Department stations, high-population-density work environments, and some high-volume County buildings).
 
The CDC recommends that workers in this risk category need to wear some combination of gloves and mask.
 
For those performing high exposure risk job duties, which includes any duties where contact within 6 feet of an individual legitimately suspected of having or already positively diagnosed with COVID-19 is expected, the Department must provide a fully-functioning N95 mask or better. The appropriate form of mask will depend on the type of exposure and on the transmission pattern of COVID-19, which will be determined on a case by case basis.
 
All recommendations and suggestions regarding PPE distribution amongst County workers are subject to change depending on the County’s availability of resources.
 
3. Can the Department require us to wear PPE?
 
Yes. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission advises that an employer may require employees to wear personal protective equipment during a pandemic. However, where an employee with a disability needs a related reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (e.g., non-latex gloves, or gowns designed for individuals who use wheelchairs), the employer should provide these, absent undue hardship.
 
4. Can I refuse a work order if the Department does not provide the appropriate PPE?
 
Although the Department is working to provide the appropriate PPE for every Department member on an as needed basis, there may be emergency situations when PPE may not be available despite potential exposure to COVID-19. If this scenario arises, contact PPOA immediately.
 
Before refusing any orders based on a lack of PPE, make sure to contact PPOA and try to work with your supervisor to see if any alternate PPE arrangements or work assignments can be made.
 
5. If I am diagnosed with COVID-19, or exhibit symptoms consistent with COVID-19 what are my options as to where I can live during quarantine
 
The County and LASD have put in place two options for employees diagnosed with COVID-19 or exhibiting symptoms consistent with the diagnosis. The employee who is ordered to quarantine, or isolate will be given the option of returning home or choosing alternative housing. Alternative housing will be made for those quarantined individuals with extenuating circumstances at their residence, such as family members at high risk if exposed.   
 
If you require alternative housing and meet the above criteria, please work with your chain of command to contact the Department’s Operations Center for guidance. Should you have any difficulties, contact PPOA at (323) 261-3010, for assistance.
 
6. What happens if I am diagnosed with COVID-19 or displaying COVID-19 symptoms and need assistance while quarantined at home?
 
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and need, food, water, hygiene items, or other personal necessities for you or your family, please feel free to contact PPOA at (323) 261-3010. PPOA is working to ensure that PPOA members are provided all basic necessities when unable to obtain these items due to medical restrictions. These resources will be provided to affected members as quickly and safely as possible. 
 
Additional information about COVID-19 can be found by visiting PPOA.COM or the websites below for Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 
 
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Links
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Links

PPOA 2020 College Scholarship Program

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PPOA is once again proud to announce that 12 scholarships worth $13,500 total are available to help further the education of PPOA members and their dependents. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2020.​ Since the inception of this scholarship program, your union is honored to have contributed approximately $100,000 toward the educational goals of our members and their sons and daughters. Click here to view photos from the 2019 scholarship awards ceremony. 

Pease select one the following categories for details and application for a PPOA scholarship: