Greg Torres

Uniform Authorization for LASD Security Assistants & Security Officers

April 7, 2020 by Greg Torres

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

April 4, 2020 by Greg Torres

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

April 3, 2020 by Greg Torres

Please click here for the latest COVID-19 Update from PPOA President Tab Rhodes:

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

April 2, 2020 by Greg Torres

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

March 28, 2020 by Greg Torres

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:

Health Care Workers,
Public Safety,
Services Providers, and
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

March 24, 2020 by Greg Torres

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:

COVID-19 / PPOA FAQ – Part Two

March 23, 2020 by Greg Torres

Emailed to PPOA members on March 23rd

This is Number Two of a continuing effort to provide PPOA members with relevant timely information. Below is the latest information regarding sick leave, administrative leave, vacation time and all other forms of time-off in relation to COVID-19.

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. What can the County and/or LASD order me to do during the COVID-19 emergency?

The County and/or LASD can:

Ask employees returning from travel about their exposure
Ask an employee why he or she has been absent from work
Require employees to adopt infection-control practices (e.g., regular hand washing)
Require employees to wear personal protective equipment (e.g., masks, gloves, or gowns), but it should provide related reasonable accommodation (e.g., non-latex gloves, gowns designed for individuals who use wheelchairs)
Encourage employees to get a vaccine if one becomes available, but employers may not be able to compel it.
Take the temperature of employees or ask if they have symptoms associated with COVID-19, e.g., fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat (even though that is not normally permitted)
Require medical input certifying fitness for duty when an employee returns to work. (this is not the current requirement but is expected to be put in place soon)

The County and/or LASD cannot:

Ask asymptomatic employees (employee with no symptoms) if they have medical conditions that would make them especially vulnerable
Compel employees to take a vaccine if they have a medical condition that prevents doing so safely.

2. What are my choices if the County and/or LASD mandates me to be quarantined due to having symptoms or exhibiting a fever through the temperature test?

The employer is required to allow you the choice of returning to your home or another location. Alternative locations, such as a hotel may be made available. All members who are mandatorily quarantined by the County and/or LASD should make a request for the option of returning to home or a substitute location. If you are not offered a substitute location to quarantine contact PPOA immediately.

3. A member of my family is sick so I can’t come to work. Can I use sick leave?

Yes, a family member is defined as husband, wife, domestic partner, child, stepchild, grandchild, brother, stepbrother, sister, stepsister, parent, guardian, stepparent, foster parent, grandparent, or any person serving as a parent, or who has served as a parent, or any other person living in the same household as the employee. Depending upon how long the illness lasts, you may be approved for Family Medical Leave. Your supervisor/Department will let you know if teleworking is an option. If you are not able to telework, you may be able to utilize your vacation, compensatory time or sick leave.

4. What kind of leave time will I have to use if I have been quarantined? How will I get paid while I am off work in relation to COVID-19?

Whether you get paid through Administrative Leave (paid leave) or are forced to use sick leave or disability pay will depend upon the circumstances surrounding the quarantine. If a member can demonstrate positive proof of exposure to COVID-19 while on duty they will immediately be put on administrative leave.

PPOA is advocating for paid Administrative leave for all employees who are ordered by the County and/or Department to be quarantined. This is an involuntary removal from your job by use of a direct order thereby necessitating paid leave. We expect to get clarification on this position within days.

If you are self-quarantining based upon the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for your own personal symptoms then you will be entitled to use your sick leave and leave balances. If you do not have enough sick leave to last the entire quarantine timeframe (typically 14 days) you can use other leave balances, and/or file for State Disability by going on the EDD website.

The EDD provides information on the website including that California workers who can’t work and who are medically certified to either have COVID-19 themselves or to have been exposed to it can file a disability insurance claim. This option provides workers with short-term benefit payments “to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy,” per the EDD. Benefit amounts typically are about 60 to 70 percent of a worker’s wages (depending on income) and range from $50 to $1,300 a week.

Those workers unable to work due to caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19—that can be verified by a medical professional—can file a paid family leave claim. This benefit “provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child,” per the EDD. Benefit amounts are about the same as those filing a disability claim.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order has waived the typical one-week waiting period for benefits; this means that workers can receive benefits the first week they are out of work. EDD processing typically kicks in within a few weeks of receiving a claim.

5. Can I use vacation time or invoke the Family Medical Leave Act if I do not want to become exposed to COVID-19 at work?

While the Department cannot stop you from invoking the Family Medical Leave Act in order to request time off in relation to exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or based on legitimate exposure to an individual with COVID-19, the Family Medical Leave Act cannot be invoked in order to avoid a perceived risk of exposure to COVID-19 pursuant to emergency job duties. In addition, the Department is currently not honoring any vacation time requests for non COVID-19 related issues, which includes using vacation time to avoid a perceived risk of exposure to COVID-19.

As mentioned in Part One (emailed to PPOA members on March 19th), 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 Links

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Links

Sierra Madre chooses former Sheriff’s Department unit commander to be next police chief

March 23, 2020 by Greg Torres

Rodrick Armalin is making the the move after more than 30 years with the Sheriff’s Department.

Sierra Madre announced Saturday, March 21, 2020, it chose Rodrick Armalin to be its next police chief. (Courtesy Sierra Madre)

By HAYLEY MUNGUIA | hmunguia@scng.com | Long Beach Press-Telegram

PUBLISHED: March 21, 2020 at 10:19 a.m. | UPDATED: March 21, 2020 at 5:54 p.m.

Sierra Madre has a new police chief.

City officials announced Saturday, March 21, they selected Rodrick Armalin, most recently a unit commander with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, for the job.

“We are very excited for Chief Armalin to join our team,” City Manager Gabriel Engeland said in a statement. “He brings incredible experience to the city, is community focused, and is committed to developing the members of the Police Department.”

Armalin made the move after more than 30 years with the Sheriff’s Department. Sierra Madre’s statement said he has significant experience with community-oriented policing, emergency management and preparedness, mass trauma event response and homelessness.

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In his most recent post with the Sheriff’s Department, Armalin managed 176 personnel who provided all law enforcement services to nine community colleges.

“I am extremely excited about working with the men and women of Sierra Madre Police Department,” Armalin said in a statement, “and eagerly anticipating meeting and becoming a member of this wonderful community.”

The chief position has been vacant since April 2019.

The city also promoted Sgt. Henry Amos to the rank of police captain.

COVID-19 / PPOA FAQ – Part One

March 19, 2020 by Greg Torres

Professional Peace Officers Association

This is Part One of a continuing effort to provide PPOA members with relevant timely information. The safety of our members is our utmost concern. 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. What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Many of them infect animals, but some coronaviruses from animals can evolve (change) into a new human coronavirus that can spread from person-to-person. This is what happened with the new coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease known as COVID-19. Diseases from coronaviruses in people typically cause mild to moderate illness, like the common cold, but in some rare circumstances, death or serious medical conditions may arise.

2. How are coronaviruses spread?

Like other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, human coronaviruses most commonly spread to others from an infected person through:

• Droplets produced through coughing and sneezing

• Close personal contact, such as caring for an infected person

• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands

3. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Reported illnesses have ranged from people with symptoms including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, which sometimes requires hospitalization and under extreme circumstances death.

4. What is the Department doing to protect employees from exposure to COVID-19 at the workplace?

First, the providing of safety equipment (Personal Protection Equipment “PPE”). PPOA has requested the PPE’s and believes the the Department is distributing accordingly. All employees who face the prospect of being in contact with individuals who have or may have the COVID-19 virus are to be provided, gloves, a mask, and in some circumstances, eye protection. If you are have not yet received your PPE, contact your chain of command for assistance. If you are denied the right to the equipment, immediately contact PPOA.

Second, the Department is utilizing the “Quarantining” of employees with known work exposures, or employees who are exhibiting symptoms at work consistent with the virus. If the employee does not wish to self-quarantine at home, PPOA is working with the County on alternative locations that may be made available to quarantined employees.

Third, employees who have vulnerable family members at home, or family members with symptoms of, or a diagnosis of, COVID-19 may quarantine at home under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”). The County is not requiring a medical certification on the FMLA paperwork with all requests to be granted based upon the assertion of need as stated by the employee.

5. What do I do if I believe I have been exposed to the COVID-19 Virus?

While on-duty, if you come into contact with:

(1) an individual that has COVID-19; and/or (2) an individual that has come into contact with someone who has COVID-19; and/or

(3) medical equipment recently utilized by an individual with COVID-19, fill out the LASD Activity Log (ICS 214) (form attached).

If potentially exposed, it is imperative that all personnel fill out the logs when carrying out any tasks whether on regular time or overtime related to COVID-19.

Once you fill out Activity Log (ICS 214), submit it to the 214 Coordinator at your unit of assignment.

Any personnel working in the field can print, complete, sign and submit the original to the ICS 214 Unit Coordinator who will then scan and submit the documents.

When filling out the Activity Log (ICS 214), the name of the incident should be left as Covid-19 Response, details under the Notable Activity section should include details about the specific task you performed, and specific location worked, and if backfill OT is worked, please include the full name of the employee you are filling behind. Also include standby activation. Completion of the form with narrative details are required for State and Federal government reimbursement and are used by Special Accounts Unit to identify claimable and non-claimable costs.

COVID-19 ICS 214 Activity Log Instructions

Incident Information

Operational Period – Date and Time of your entire shift worked on COVID-19

Personnel Information

Name – Employee Last, First Name
Employee / Badge – Employee Number
Unit Assignment – Division Moniker / Station or Unit Moniker
Call Sign – N/A for COVID-19
Rank – Rank of employee
Squad – N/A for COVID-19
Phone – Phone Number of employee
RDO – Is today the employees regular day off
Regular Shift Hours Total – Total “Regular Shift” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift
Time In – “Regular Beginning Shift” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift,
all times have to be coded 00:00
Time Out – “Regular Ending Shift” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift
Overtime Hours Total – Total “Overtime” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift
Time In – “Overtime Beginning Shift” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift
Time Out – “Overtime Ending Shift” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift
Enroute to Incident, Staging (10-97), Staging (10-98), Estimated Arrival at UOA, 18 Hour Time – N/A for COVID-19, only to be used if acting as a response squad to a COVID-19 incident.

Supervisor Information

Supervisor Unit, Supervisor Name, Supervisor Contact Number – N/A for COVID-19

Vehicle Information

Driver / Passenger – Employee to fill out only if their COVID-19 mission required a vehicle
Number – Vehicle Number
Arrival Mileage – Vehicle Beginning Mileage
Ending Mileage – Vehicle Ending Mileage
Make – Vehicle Make
Model – Vehicle Model

Other Equipment Assigned – N/A for COVID-19

Mission Assignments – Employee may check any boxes of missions completed or “Other” if not listed

Activity Log – Employee will fill out the “Time” and “Notable Activity” for the general role they worked on the COVID-19 response

Prepared By / Date / Time – To be filled out by the Employee completing and signed prior to submission

If you have any questions about the form, please email: COVID19Documentation@lasd.org

Again, if potentially exposed, contact your supervisor immediately to let them know that you were potentially exposed to COVID-19 and to request the most current information from the County and Department regarding quarantine locations or further self-quarantine instructions. Do not come into contact with any other individuals before obtaining further instructions from your supervisor and/or Unit Coordinator. Complete the LASD Activity Log (ICS 214) as directed.

6. Can I get tested for the coronavirus?

PPOA is advocating for the expedited testing of public safety personnel who are exposed and/or show symptoms. If you develop symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus including a fever, difficulty breathing, or cannot keep fluids down, contact your medical provider immediately and testing options should be described to you. Additionally, contact the Department for further direction as they liaison with the Department of Public Health. Certain members such as the elderly, those that are immune compromised or have underlying medical conditions should be particularly aware of symptoms and seek medical care at the earliest opportunity if the need arises. Most medical care facilities are triaging requests for medical attention by utilizing a telephonic screening process. Check with your medical provider before you go to the clinic to determine their protocol.

Additional information about COVID-19 can be found by visiting websites below for 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

COVID-19 Update for PPOA Members

March 18, 2020 by Greg Torres

March 17, 2020 – There are and continue to be numerous concerns and issues presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and our governments’ responses. The plans and actions of the Federal, State, and County entities range from brilliant to unknown. The two constants in these unprecedented times are that all of the protocols presented are fluid daily (sometimes hourly) and that PPOA will work collaboratively with these entities to protect our members in the most efficient manner.

As for priorities, the health and safety of all members and their families are of utmost concern to PPOA. We continue to demand of all represented County Departments the need for public facing members to have appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) .

Additionally, of great importance to all involved is open communication. Through our efforts, PPOA has attended conference calls with County leadership (County CEO, County Counsel, DHR, Coalition of County Union [CCU] members), our legal counsel, the Sheriff’s Department, Office of the Medical Examiner, and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. As a result of these conversations, PPOA now has standing DAILY conference calls with an executive level liaison at each Department as well as scheduled meetings with the County CEO’s Office and CCU members later this week.

From these meetings, we will participate in providing member experiences, assist with member concerns, and receive the latest information to communicate to PPOA members. While contacting PPOA to provide us with work experiences and concerns is important, we cannot stress enough the importance of utilizing the chain of command within your agency. Often, through these communications, problems are getting resolved, as well as concerns are being brought to the attention of those who were unaware and can be addressed immediately.

Additionally, our family at home, the PPOA staff, have had their safety and concerns considered. At this time, and through technology, all PPOA staff have been provided the opportunity to “telework” either full-time or part-time, with their presence only needed in the office to retrieve files or supplies. Rest assured, at least one staff member will be in the PPOA office during business hours as scheduled for any needs that cannot be addressed telephonically or electronically.

After completing our research and confirming available information, later this week PPOA will be providing a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to assist in most circumstances. In addition to our continued updates, the County has created a website for information distribution specific to COVID-19 issues – https://lacounty.gov/covid19/

As always, thank you for being a PPOA family member and be safe.

Tab Rhodes

PPOA President