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

Greg Torres

Support for PPOA Family Dealing with Tragic Loss of Son

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It is with great sadness to announce that Civilian Investigator/PPOA Delegate Ben Garcia (LASD Major Crimes Bureau) and Oralia “Rae” Garcia (Retired – LA County DA’s Office) tragically lost their 28-year-old son, Jacob Anthony Garcia, as a result of a massive seizure on Sunday, March 10th. 
 
Although we cannot begin to imagine the immense pain, heartache, and devastation the Garcia family has endured, we would like to offer them some relief with this unforeseen financial burden. As such, we kindly ask for your consideration with making a donation, of any size, to assist the Garcias with their son’s funeral service and medical expenses. 
 
If you are unable to contribute financially, forwarding this link https://gofund.me/0660690a or QR code (see below) to others would be greatly appreciated. 
 
 
Please keep the Garcia family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 

Court Rules in Favor of PPOA re: Preliminary Injunction Against OIG, County & LASD

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PPOA members may recall that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a subpoena directly to Sheriff Luna in December 2023 seeking the production of records of all Department members, including many PPOA members, who exercised their constitutional right to refuse to talk to ICIB investigators from the Sheriff’s Department.
 
On January 23, 2024, PPOA filed a Petition for a Writ of Mandate and a Complaint for Declaratory Relief together with an Application for a Temporary Restraining Order to Show Cause regarding a Preliminary Injunction to stop the production of documents. It was PPOA’s belief that the records being sought by the OIG’s office violated the constitutional and bargaining rights of PPOA members without the legally mandated meet and confer between all involved parties. PPOA aggressively argued that certain protections need to be put in place to avoid significant damage to the privacy rights of its members.
 
On March 13, 2024, after all pleadings were filed by the parties, PPOA’s counsel, James Cunningham, appeared at the Superior Court of Los Angeles County and engaged in oral argument to support PPOA’s position that a Preliminary Injunction be issued against the OIG to stop the production of the PPOA member files and information. The OIG and their lawyers from the international law firm of Sheppard Mullin also appeared to present their case and arguments. 
 
On March 18, 2024, the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff ruled that PPOA’s request for a Preliminary Injunction be granted and that the OIG, the County, and the Sheriff’s Department are enjoined from releasing any PPOA members’ files to the OIG’s office without engaging in the requisite meet and confer with PPOA. Further, Judge Beckloff reduced the OIG’s request for a $64 million bond to be assessed against PPOA pending appeal to a $1,000 bond which will be filed pending appeal. 
 
“PPOA is relentless in the protection of its members’ rights and privacy,” stated President Steve Johnson. “We have been successful in opposing the immediate release of our members’ pictures and identity to the public and with this victory, the message should be loud and clear PPOA will never stand for any abuses of members’ rights and protections afforded by the law.”

Retirement Planning Workshop for PPOA Members

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Planning to retire in the next few years?
This FREE workshop is for you!
 
Get expert advice regarding LACERA, Horizons, workers’ compensation, Fraternal Order of Police, and more to help you prepare efficiently for retirement.
 
This event is restricted to active, full-dues paying PPOA members. Last year’s workshop reached maximum capacity quickly so be sure to reserve your seat as soon as possible. To RSVP, send an email (subject line: “retirement workshop”) with your full name, employee number and phone number to info@ppoa.com.
 

PPOA’s OIG Lawsuit Update

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On February 8, 2024, PPOA’s legal counsel and President Steve Johnson appeared in front of a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge who heard PPOA’s request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to stop an attempt by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to get confidential records from PPOA members. By agreement, the matter will now move to a Preliminary Injunction Hearing in March 2024.

The original Writ of Mandate arises from a subpoena issued by the OIG on 12/19/2023 and served on the Sheriff of Los Angeles County on 01/02/2024, seeking confidential and protected information from PPOA members and other Sheriff’s Department personnel. Specifically, the OIG is seeking the identity of LASD peace officers who exercised their constitutional right not to speak to an investigator during 2023 regarding potential criminal conduct occurring in the Department. For more information, click here to read the email PPOA sent to members last month.

To date, no PPOA member has been forced to appear in front of the OIG or produce records while this and other litigation advances through the courts and at the Employee Relations Commission (ERCOM). 

PPOA will continue to provide updates on the progress of this litigation.