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

Greg Torres

Emergency Schedule Overtime Guide – PPOA Files CEASE AND DESIST

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Attention PPOA Members Ordered Onto Emergency 12/12 Hour Schedule in Response to Recent Events.
 
On Monday evening, June 1, 2020, a Department Announcement including the “Emergency Schedule OT Guide for Employees 06/01/20” was distributed to all LASD employees by email. The included OT Guide represents a significant change in past practices concerning the implementation of 12/12 schedules, the Department mobilization in emergencies, and payroll procedures for these types of events. PPOA, having not been notified, and upon discovering these documents being sent, immediately reached out to LASD Employee Relations, began discussions with other labor organizations and reviewed all available information with our legal counsel. 
 
Today, on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, upon completing our research and legal review, PPOA, has filed a “Cease and Desist” letter to the Department regarding these changes. By exercising our bargaining rights, we are initiating the administrative process which will ensure that PPOA members are properly compensated for their heroic actions. Our dedicated members are facing unnecessary exposure to COVID-19, while encountering other safety concerns during violent/criminal disturbances instigated by factions of opportunistic individuals, utilizing the peaceful protests following the tragic death of George Floyd, for their own unlawful intent.
 
PPOA members in affected units, are reminded to submit timesheets which accurately reflect any time worked, as well as keep detailed copies of the same for yourselves in case of potential overtime discrepancies. As meetings occur, and additional information becomes available, PPOA will communicate any relevant updates.
 
As always, thank you for your support and being a PPOA family member. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact PPOA at info@ppoa.com, or (323) 261-3010.

Week in Review – 5/23/2020

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PPOA and ALADS Strongly Oppose Sheriff’s Bill, AB2655

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.
Support During the Pandemic

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.
Proud to Help Make a Difference in the Community

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.
Security Assistant Anthony E. Hopkins

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
Conference with District Attorney’s Office

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.
Conference with Coalition of County Unions

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.
 
LA County Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony

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
‘Heroes at Heart’ Program Launched to Support First Responders

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.
 
COVID-19 Conference with PPOA Legal Team

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.

 
Oversight Commission Votes to Challenge Sheriff in Court After He Defies Subpoena to Appear at Meeting

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.
Joint Meet and Confer with ALADS re: Overtime Mitigation
May 21: President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint took part in a joint “meet and confer” conference call with ALADS, Department Executives, and Employee Relations representatives to discuss overtime mitigation efforts of the Department as they struggle to overcome a projected $400 million difference in the 20-21FY Recommended Budget. Information was requested regarding details of the Department’s presentation and following review, future meetings will be scheduled.

 
PPOA BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT:

Star & Shield Foundation Discount Uniform Store
PPOA members can purchase uniform apparel and accessories online at discounts up to 35 percent off retail prices. Visit store.ppoa.com for more information. This online store is an exclusive benefit for active PPOA members and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Free COVID-19 Testing for LA County Essential Workers

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Any PPOA member who resides in LA County is now able to receive FREE COVID-19 testing across the County of Los Angeles. More info here: https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/
 
Because PPOA members are deemed Essential Workers, the need to be COVID-19 symptomatic is NOT a criteria to receive the free test. Again, PPOA members must reside in LA County to receive the test and must make an appointment online: https://lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs

California Streamlines Workers’ Comp for Essential Employees

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Yesterday, an executive order was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom to effectively streamline workers’ compensation claims for essential employees who contract COVID-19.

 
Under this executive order, essential employees in California who are diagnosed within two weeks of reporting to work between March 19 and July 5 will be presumed to have contracted COVID-19 on the job. This shifts the burden of proof that typically falls on an employee and instead requires companies or insurers to prove the employee didn’t get sick at work. The executive order is in place for 60 days and is retroactive to March 19th.
 
“PPOA, along with our fellow first responders are grateful for Governor Newsom’s action today. It gives us all a sense of certainty,” stated PPOA President Tab Rhodes. “I also want to acknowledge our Sacramento legislative firm, Lang, Hansen, O’Malley & Miller, who have worked with PPOA for the last two months regarding COVID-19 issues such as this.” Additionally, the PPOA board is thankful for the efforts and support on this issue, provided by the Law Offices of James J. Cunningham as well as our workers compensation firms: Lewis, Marenstein, Wicke, Sherwin & Lee and Straussner Sherman.
 
Key provisions of the executive order include the following:
 
  • Removes burdens of access to workers’ compensation for all employees risking their health and safety to deliver critical services outside their home during the statewide stay-at-home order.
  • Creates a time-limited emergency workers’ compensation benefit (rebuttable presumption) that COVID-19 was contracted at a workplace.
  • The presumption will stay in place for 60-days after the issuance of the executive order.
 
For a comprehensive list of COVID-19 updates for PPOA members, please click here.

After COVID-19 recovery, first responders get back to work

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This story below about two Custody Assistants who recovered from COVID-19 is an eye-opening excerpt from an Associated Press article (4/27/20) entitled “After COVID-19 Recovery, First Responders Get Back to Work”

LOS ANGELES — In jail-speak, it’s called “the line.”

For correction officers, it means any duty that requires working directly with inmates. Custody Assistant Sonia Munoz’s line is a 184-bed inmate hospital ward at the Twin Towers jail, with its beige walls and powder blue doors. It’s where she most likely contracted the coronavirus. And passed it along to her younger sister and her father.

Right now, Munoz, 38, is safe. She’s 10 pounds lighter, her thick uniform belt is tightened to the last notch, but she’s been transferred to an office gig, where she can line up three bottles of hand sanitizer on her desk and work alone.

Still, the line is there.

Any overtime shift could bring Munoz back. Her mother, 3-year-old nephew and 94-year-old grandmother escaped illness last time, but they may not be so lucky again.

It’s something her 27-year-old partner, Christopher Lumpkin, worries about.

On March 18, he became the first member of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, which oversees the nation’s largest jail system, to test positive for COVID-19. He likely passed it to Munoz and three other custody assistants. More than 60 sheriff’s personnel county-wide and at least 28 inmates have tested positive for the virus.

Using Facebook Messenger, Lumpkin and Munoz traded stories and symptoms, bedridden in their quarantined homes as the virus spread outside.

“I will pray for you guys as well,” Lumpkin wrote.

Now, Lumpkin is recovered and back on the line. He changes his gloves and sanitizes his hands each time he works with an inmate and keeps an extra mask hanging off his duty belt.

Munoz takes similar precautions in her office, separate from the inmates.

But she can’t avoid the line forever.

“I have to go back to the lion’s mouth.”

Original AP article, video and additional photos are here: https://apnews.com/ab5ceac4542026be8792fb6561f8f38e

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Week in Review: 4/18/20

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This edition of the PPOA Week in Review includes Part Five of the COVID-19 Updates for PPOA Members. To read these new Frequently Asked Questions, please scroll below or visit PPOA.COM for a full list of COVID-19 resources and updates for PPOA members.
 
California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations
April 13: PPOA President Tab Rhodes and fellow CCLEA members from around the state took part in a teleconference on Monday. Speaker of the California State Assembly Anthony Rendon also participated in this conference call and most of the discussion centered on the impact of COVID-19 on law enforcement personnel. CCLEA is California’s largest law enforcement coalition, representing 40 police associations (including PPOA) and 150,000 peace officers. 
 
 
 
California Peace Officer Memorial Foundation
April 14: Executive Director Quint, who also serves as executive director for the California Peace Officers Memorial Foundation joined CPOMF board members for a teleconference on Tuesday. During that meeting, the board unanimously confirmed that the death of Riverside Sheriff’s Deputy Terrell Young (EOW: 04/02/20) was in the line of duty. Deputy Young died as a result of complications from COVID-19 and represents the first peace officer to die in the line of duty in California in 2020. He is survived by his wife of 31 years and his four children.
 
 
PPOA Donates Masks to Members
President Rhodes and Board Member Tony Coleman donated masks on behalf of PPOA to multiple facilities this week. These masks are intended for off-duty use. See COVID-19 FAQ below for more information about the mask donations from PPOA, Paid Administrative Leave and more.
 
Security Officer Class #56 Graduation
April 15: PPOA Board Member/Security Officer Jody Clounch met with Class #56 this week to offer congratulations for completing five weeks of training and present a flashlight from PPOA to the top recruit, Officer Sienna Arbiso. It is also worth noting that four of the class members were promoted from Security Assistant. Congrats to all of you from PPOA.
 
Coalition of County Unions
April 15: On Wednesday, Executive Director Quint joined fellow representatives from the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) on a conference call to discuss the economic ramifications of COVID-19.
 
COVID-19 Conference with Labor Organizations and LA County CEO
April 16: 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 very informative weekly meetings.
 
PPOA College Scholarships Available Online
PPOA is 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 close of business (5:00 pm) on May 15, 2020.
Since this program’s inception eight years ago, PPOA has awarded approximately $100,000 in scholarships to members of the PPOA family. For more information about the 2020 scholarships, including criteria and applications, please visit PPOA.COM
 
 
 
 
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 visit
 
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 coordinating this donation, as well as their concern for our members.
 
 
PPOA President Tab Rhodes donating masks to Custody Divisions, accepted by Assistant Sheriff Bruce Chase
 
 
PPOA President Tab Rhodes donating masks to Patrol Divisions, accepted by Assistant Sheriff Steve Gross
 
 
PPOA Board 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 Links
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Links