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URGENT: Employee Retention Benefits Security Breach
Late yesterday afternoon (April 21, 2020), PPOA was notified by Employee Retention Benefits (ERB) and the Claremont Police Department that during an arrest, property recovered at the scene included just under 200 applications for ERB insurance. These applications of Los Angeles County employees include personal information and identifiers including name, Social Security numbers, address, phone, and email. Working through the evening, ERB staff have now identified there are an additional 650 applications missing as a result of this theft. All criminal documentation has been submitted, and the investigation is being conducted with the assistance of the Claremont Police Department, the Pasadena Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
In December 2018, ERB began offering a suite of supplemental insurance products (life, cancer, disability) to PPOA members, Sheriff Department employees and County of Los Angeles employees. Through agreement, all ERB clients that worked for the County of Los Angeles had their insurance premiums deducted through the PPOA payroll slot and continue to do so. PPOA does NOT and has NEVER retained any ERB insurance application information and PPOA has NOT had any breach of data or information security.
IMPORTANT: If you, as a member, purchased or enrolled in voluntary insurance benefits with ERB during the period of December 1, 2018 through October 31, 2019, your personal information was possibly compromised. At this time, PPOA recommends you take any proactive measures to protect yourselves including, but not limited to:
- • Conduct an immediate review of your credit history;
- • Consider a credit freeze with each of the three credit bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian;
- • Consider a credit protection service;
- • Advise your family if they were included in any documentation submitted to ERB, and
- • From a personal safety perspective, stay alert and be cautious of your surroundings
AGAIN, only those individuals, having enrolled in voluntary insurance benefits with ERB between December 1, 2018 and October 31, 2019, have been potentially compromised. If it is determined that your application has been compromised, you will be personally notified.
At this point, ERB management is working feverishly to provide information to the investigating agencies, reach out to those affected utilizing a staffing response team, and has pledged a one-year credit monitoring service to ALL potentially affected policy holders and their families.
PPOA has made our resources available to the investigating agencies to assist in any way, as well as to ERB in communicating information to our members as it develops. Please monitor these emails, the POPA website, and mobile app for additional information as it becomes available.
COVID-19 / PPOA FAQ – Part Five
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
- Frequently Asked Questions — http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/FAQ.pdf
- Hand Washing Hand-Out — http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/handwash.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Websites
- Information on Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation — https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers — https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
Dated: April 18, 2020
Week in Review: 4/11/2020
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-19 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 C
OVID-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
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
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
- Information on Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
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Uniform Authorization for LASD Security Assistants & Security Officers
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
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COVID-19 / PPOA FAQ – Part Four
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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LASD Hometown Heroes: SGT Afsoon Nafissi
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