President's Message

In a sprawling county of 4,753 square miles and 5.5 million registered voters, the population seems to shrivel away during elections. During this recent primary election, many voters did not participate, both in L.A. County and statewide, even though the process of voting is extremely easy, with mail-in ballots provided to the households of all registered voters.

Primary elections, especially in midterm years, routinely have low turnouts. Many people feel the political system does not work for them, but the system only works if people participate. Democracy is based on the populace participating. When people do not register, do not vote, then democracy struggles. If we don’t vote, what happens to our way of life? Voting is the method by which our society holds its leaders accountable.

There seems to be plenty of complaining in the world, but little to no participation. We see the same issue here at PPOA all too often. Members call with valid concerns, but few are willing to step up to the plate and challenge or put their name to a grievance. “We pay our dues; you guys should handle this.” Please become involved. Our organization depends on participation. Do not allow PPOA to become just another object of apathy. You may pay dues to PPOA, but only the members can make an essential difference.

THE JUNE PRIMARY ELECTION

Prior to the primary election, and after an exhaustive selection process, numerous meetings and some very dynamic conversations, the PPOA Board of Directors endorsed retired Chief Eli Vera for Sheriff of Los Angeles County. This strategic move proved to be just as polarizing to our membership as many other issues, including but not limited to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Based on the apathy described above, the mathematical reality that Sheriff Villanueva would face a runoff in the primary due to the number of challengers, consultations with political strategists and the certainty that PPOA’s endorsement would not get the Sheriff to the 50%+1 plateau needed to win in June, the PPOA Board made a bold move to endorse Vera. This decision was not made lightly, and it was not due to some secret arrangements with Chief Vera.

Feeding this decision was the introduction of Chief Robert Luna of the Long Beach Police Department into the election. Sheriff Villanueva was elected four years ago as our membership decried the practices of another former Long Beach Police Chief, Jim McDonnell, as Sheriff. The PPOA Board, recognizing the need for consistent leadership in LASD and worried about the potential runoff and Chief Luna’s momentum, instead attempted to ensure an all-LASD election runoff in November by endorsing Chief Vera.

MOVING FORWARD

Alas, while the endorsement of Chief Vera ended with disappointment, the PPOA Board’s prediction of Chief Luna forcing a runoff was spot-on. These fears of a Long Beach Sheriff McDonnell 2.0 represented by Chief Luna still trouble our membership. For this reason, in support of member concerns, the PPOA Board of Directors recently endorsed Sheriff Alex Villanueva in the upcoming general election. The PPOA Board of Directors endorsed Sheriff Villanueva due to his many years of experience with the complexities of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. This endorsement has opened the door to other law enforcement associations, such as the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) and the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), also supporting Sheriff Villanueva.

Thanks to Sheriff Villanueva and to all the candidates for their participation, efforts and sacrifice during the primary election campaign season. PPOA appreciates the participation, leadership and numerous member concerns and public safety issues you all brought to light during this campaign.

SUPPORTING SENATOR HERTZBERG FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERVISOR

Additionally, and possibly more important to our members’ future over the next four to 12 years, is the race for the next Third District Supervisor, replacing current Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. Supervisor Kuehl not running for re-election, as well as redistricting legislation, created a power vacuum in the Third District of Los Angeles County. PPOA and our partner law enforcement associations are supporting Senator Bob Hertzberg in the general election runoff versus Mayor Lindsay Horvath of West Hollywood. Hertzberg, a moderate Democrat and the namesake of our crime lab at CSULA, will hopefully bring the Board of Supervisors back to a centrist perspective if he is elected, governing for the benefit of the silent majority rather than the unproven progressive agendas of other members of the Board of Supervisors.

Please don’t fall into the trap! Don’t be apathetic! Please join PPOA in supporting Sheriff Villanueva and Senator Hertzberg as they bring their experience and efforts together to address the serious issues facing Los Angeles County’s future.

When did the world go crazy? When did beeping text messages, dinging phone notifications, blogs and social media replace conversations, meetings, dates and relationships? This noise has left society fragmented, isolated and more polarized than ever.

And what do we really have to complain about? If you are reading this article, you are more than likely not experiencing third-world problems as the result of war or famine.  You are more than likely not homeless, wondering if you are drinking clean water or doubting if you will eat today.

Too much noise … 

Distractions — the world is full of them now. Inflation is at a 40-year high. Gasoline prices are at $5.75 a gallon. Contract negotiations stalled while the Board of Supervisors (BOS) determines the priorities (read — political agenda) of the next fiscal year. Upcoming primary elections, including two County Supervisor races and the Sheriff (nine candidates, lots of negative press, concerns of a runoff and a daring endorsement). Added to this political landscape is the continued concern of COVID-19 variants and the BOS’ continued attempts to gain compliance with the harshest, out-of-date vaccine mandate in the country.

… Be bold. Courage is not being loud but brave when faced with adversity.

Too much noise …

Now is the time to set aside all of the interruptions and get back to focusing on the important aspects of your career and life. Public safety is still a noble profession. We are among the few selected to be hired by the best law enforcement agency in the world. We should behave accordingly.

Our units should be a place of optimism, not complaint. 
We do not do this thankless job strictly for the salary or benefits (although we deserve our fair share), but to fulfill that inner, burning desire to serve. Those in this profession should embrace this calling every day, filling our hearts with the satisfaction of protecting the communities and its citizens.

During these distracting times, it is important to stand together in our profession and in our Association (PPOA), even though our opinions may differ and especially when others are trying to divide us. Standing shoulder to shoulder against the adversity, false narratives and noise is paramount.

The negativity of the world should be shut from our minds. We should not give our critics any ammunition in their arguments; instead, we should show them why we do this job. We cannot allow the noise to exacerbate the us-versus-them mentality. To avoid the criticism, community members tell me that involvement and collaboration are key … that requires someone to be the bigger person, and I say it is us.

Step up to the plate. Stop complaining. Control what you can control. Be the leader you demonstrated to yourself and this profession when you were hired. Remember the pride and desire to improve you had as a new hire. Use your positive (not destructive) influence on those around you. Do your best. Defend what is true. Stand by your decisions.

That being said, be bold. Courage is not being loud but brave when faced with adversity. Ambition is good. PPOA has your back when making these decisions. Standing up for values is great. Overreaching efforts and trying to do the right thing should be applauded as it raises the bar of professionalism for others to witness and follow.

Most importantly, do a personal evaluation of your priorities. Complaining itself is a harmful behavior that leads to a negative mindset. Stay balanced. Time is the most valuable asset in any lifetime. Use your time wisely to stay healthy, focused on family and meeting your spiritual and emotional needs.

In other words, work hard, enjoy your life and block the noise.

 

September 1988 seems like ages ago. With an employee number starting with 274, I just got asked at the mobile range, “Why are you still here?” Well, the truth is, I was one of the five youngest members of Class #248. At age 54, I still have some work to complete before riding off into the sunset and joining those at the Retiree Roundup.

As many this year look toward retirement as the next chapter of life, I seem to share one regret with many others … not knowing more about personal finance sooner in my life. An executive from one of the supplemental insurance carriers that works with PPOA asked me recently what their company could do differently to assist PPOA members. The first thing that came to mind was identifying a mechanism to bridge the financial literacy gap among many of our younger (and not so young) members.

Neither the County nor the Department impart any fiscal wisdom on to its employees. Here is your check. Sign up every October for insurance. Be a good employee.

School systems in the past few decades have removed classes involving basic living skills, e.g., home economics, from the curriculum. How many in this generation even know what a checkbook is, let alone how to balance one or track spending?

The world today is complex with an abundance of opportunities, yet many people, including my children, come out of school/college lacking the ability to survive financially, especially here in Southern California. Gas prices have doubled in the last 30 days. Who can afford a starter home on one income in the greater Los Angeles area?

In my years on the Department, and now as PPOA president, I have borne witness to or have shared in the devastation of loss experienced by many families. Oftentimes, these tragedies are exacerbated by the financial decisions (or lack thereof) made by their loved ones prior to their passing. Be sure to designate your beneficiaries and update them throughout your life. You will go through many life experiences accompanying the ups and downs of your career. Those experiences — marriage, divorce, kids, promotion — all play into your future. Be prepared along the way. Create a living trust to protect your assets and specifically outline your personal decisions in case you are somehow incapable of communicating those desires yourself. Educate yourself on every aspect of the benefits provided to you by the County, whether it be the retirement system, medical insurance or disability benefits. With that knowledge, solicit information on any supplemental insurance that you feel may be needed to fill in any deficiencies in your life or that of your family.

Seek assistance from a financial planner early on. It is never too late. The world is more complicated, yet more information and tools await you in your smartphone than were ever available before. Use them wisely. Educate yourself on the benefits of compound interest and consistent saving/investing and start as soon as you can. Stop watching TikTok videos and use the budgeting apps, investment websites and cryptocurrency tools that are all available in the palm of your hand. Take the time and make the commitment to yourself and your family to utilize the resources available as well as the salary and benefits of your career to live a long, healthy and prosperous life.

I pass this information on to you from the many friends and family who are/have retired in the past few years. This information is not my rantings, but the advice provided to me by many smart people who now live very comfortably in the chapter after their careers in law enforcement. Many have asked me to pass on these tidbits, such as ensuring you always have a significant amount of time on the books for unforeseen circumstances. You do not want to be short of time toward the end of your career. Others want to remind you that it is never too early to start planning your retirement by attending a LACERA seminar or calling for a one-on-one counseling appointment. And don’t forget to review all the details of your personal financial statements at least once a year. You would be amazed at how many previous subscriptions or charges you may have forgotten about, which add up monthly/annually.

My life experience, career and now body remind me that while 1988 seems like yesterday, this Department has provided for me and my family for over three decades. In hindsight, I could have done many things better. It is my hope that reading this article will impart at least one nugget of experience to you, as well as provide a personal checklist to remind you to take the time to make the financial health of yourself and your family one of life’s priorities.

PPOA is proud to be your union. We stand ready to assist with these concerns or any others you may have. Thank you for being a member of the PPOA family.

In the last months of 2021, the leadership of ALADS and PPOA discussed many times the upcoming Sheriff election and its impacts on our membership. Through these discussions, both organizations decided to work collaboratively to explore the endorsement of a candidate for Los Angeles County Sheriff.

During the last week of December 2021, PPOA and ALADS decided to pursue a Candidates Forum, with the venue and date identified as the Pacific Palms Resort on January 26, 2022. As a part of this process, PPOA created a Sheriff Election Committee made up of PPOA Board members representing bargaining units 612, 614 and 621 employed by the Sheriff’s Department. Each of these Board members was asked to choose another committee member from the current list of PPOA delegates.

The committee’s work will have many facets — first and foremost, to solicit information from the candidates as to their platform, positions, experience and viability of success. This process included PPOA’s participation in the Sheriff Candidates Forum on January 26, as well as recorded interviews of each candidate, all of which is available on the PPOA website.

Members will have the ability to see and listen to the candidates and review key information and recordings of the candidates on the PPOA website, all prior to responding in the upcoming membership survey.

With objectivity in mind, members will benefit from this process with the opportunity to educate themselves on all the candidates. Members will have the ability to see and listen to the candidates and review key information and recordings of the candidates on the PPOA website, all prior to responding in the upcoming membership survey.

The Sheriff Candidates Forum provided members and the community with their first glimpse of the seven candidates interested in being Sheriff of Los Angeles County and requesting the endorsement of ALADS and PPOA (in alphabetical order):

• Retired Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna
• Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Cecil Rhambo
• Retired LASD Captain Matthew Rodriguez 
• LASD Captain Britta Steinbrenner 
• LASD Lieutenant Eric Strong 
• LASD Commander Eli Vera 
• Incumbent Sheriff of Los Angeles County Alex Villanueva

Though it was difficult with seven individuals participating, the forum was structured to provide a level playing field for all candidates to present their positions and platforms in a short-response format. While some may have anticipated a more confrontational event, the format was designed to inform rather than polarize. Candidates were provided with opportunities to educate the audience, as well as establishing their positions on key concerns of the unions. This event is available for viewing on the PPOA website.

The next step, which took place on February 4 and 7, was the candidate interviews. The Sheriff Election Committee utilized these dates to have a more detailed conversation with the candidates and follow up on responses provided at the forum and on endorsement questionnaires, as well as addressing PPOA-specific concerns. These recorded interviews will also be available for viewing on the PPOA website.

Additionally, the Sheriff Election Committee will review countywide polling information, consult with our political subject-matter experts and, of course, consider the results from the survey of the active LASD members. As the endorsement process continues, the Sheriff Election Committee will meet many times to review and discuss all these aspects, determining first whether an endorsement should be given before the primary. If an endorsement is believed to be relevant, the Committee will then analyze all the data, eventually submitting its recommendation to the PPOA Board of Directors.

The final decision regarding any endorsement of a candidate by PPOA lies in the hands of the Board of Directors. These elected representatives will weigh any recommendation by the Sheriff Election Committee with more than 300 years of collective public safety experience to chart the future of the organization.

PPOA thanks all the candidates and their supporters for their desire to lead and their passion for the noble profession of law enforcement, as well as their personal sacrifices to campaign for the office of Sheriff. No matter your personal opinions, these individuals deserve a round of applause for their tireless efforts.

Who will be our Sheriff in 2023?

Only time will tell.

Happy new year! As we welcome 2022, PPOA members face many of the same challenges we have faced throughout the last two years, including the continued threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the politically polarized process in which the County, state and federal governments are addressing the pandemic, and very strained labor relations with our County employers.

At the time of this writing, the omicron variant, while seemingly less lethal, is rampaging through our area. COVID-19 cases are skyrocketing, with increased hospitalizations, but thankfully, less deaths attributed to this variant.

The effects of COVID-19 and this variant continue to provide ammunition to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors vaccine mandate, the strictest mandate for employees in the nation. This draconian mandate, threatening suspension and termination for members not wishing to vaccinate, flies in the face of labor relations and threatens good-faith bargaining with this Board of Supervisors. PPOA continues our impasse process with our labor partners of the County Coalition of Unions, fighting to come to reasonable resolutions to attain the goal presented while not harming the union members of the County workforce.

Sheriff, your actions with the Board of Supervisors cause enough collateral damage with our members. How about not piling on?

Speaking of labor relations, what is going on with Sheriff Villanueva? Just last month, the Sheriff’s Department began issuing performance log entries, threatening “formal discipline” for those who have not registered their vaccination status in Fulgent or the internal LASD database. This unilateral action, at the direction of Sheriff Villanueva, without a legally required meet-and-confer process is yet another trampling of our bargaining rights, just one of many unfair labor practices of this administration of which PPOA has had to address recently. Sheriff, your actions with the Board of Supervisors cause enough collateral damage with our members. How about not piling on?

This year will be a doozy! New challenges include contract negotiations, the effects of legislative redistricting during these tumultuous times of “law enforcement reform” and, of course, the upcoming sheriff election.

Contract negotiations for Bargaining Unit 612 (Lieutenants and Sergeants) have been initiated. The process is guaranteed to be difficult and slow going. With the Consumer Price Index significantly inflating over the last six months, PPOA negotiation teams will be strongly advocating for our members’ buying power to remain at least consistent with the economy.

Recent changes caused by the effects of redistricting will have a tremendous impact on many aspects of state and local government this year. State legislatures’ power will change, and local government elections, including the Board of Supervisors, will be impacted. Only time will tell how this plays into the “woke” politics and proposed “law enforcement reform” legislation of the future.

Additionally, Sheriff Villanueva will be facing a cavalcade of candidates vying for his office in 2022. Candidates who have announced their intentions to challenge Sheriff Villanueva include (in alphabetical order): Enrique Del Real, April Saucedo Hood, Robert Luna, Cecil Rhambo, Matt Rodriguez, Britta Steinbrenner, Eric Strong and Eli Vera. Keep an eye out in the near future for the upcoming Sheriff Candidate Forum hosted by PPOA and ALADS, scheduled for January 26, 2022. While attendance will be limited due to COVID-19 protocols, the event will be recorded and made available for all through a streaming video.

In 2022, a face from the past joins/re-joins the PPOA Board of Directors. Please welcome the newly re-elected Gerry Garcia, representing the Security Officers and Security Assistants, who recently replaced former Director Henry Jimenez. Gerry returns to the Board of Directors for a second time, bringing his previous experience back to PPOA. A special thank-you to Henry Jimenez for all of your efforts during your time as a director, advocating for the members of your classification.

This year, the goals of this organization remain the same — to represent and protect the PPOA family during these historically unprecedented and challenging times. In closing, I am going to steal a saying from the past … “See something, say something.” PPOA needs your eyes and ears to continue communicating the concerns with our County employer partners. Also, I cannot stress this enough, come participate in PPOA. Our union is only as strong as our members. Get involved, become a delegate and expand your understanding of the complexities PPOA faces every day. Until next time, happy new year! 

This year, the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA) celebrates 70 years of providing service to its membership. During these 70 years, PPOA has strenuously fought for members’ rights and benefits and successfully achieved:

• 4850 time for sworn members, and in the 1990s obtained the same benefit from the County for Custody Assistants
• Retirement credit buy-back for military members
• Disability coverage as a co-founder of the Peace Officers’ Relief Fund (PORF)
• Safety equipment, advocating to the County to provide firearms and protective vests
• Medical presumptions and consistent legislative efforts resulting in presumptions for bloodborne pathogens, heart disease, lower back injuries, staph infections and more Star & Shield Foundation, providing hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial support to families of fallen members and those members in need
• POPA Federal Credit Union, established in 1978 offering benefits to members at four full-service locations
• Ventura II lawsuit: PPOA successfully increased pension benefits for future retirees and added $200 million in benefits for those already retired
• Scholarships, providing financial assistance to members and their families for educational purposes
• The PPOA Online Uniform Store, making uniforms and accessories available at up to a 35% discount

Additionally, from PPOA came the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS), of which approximately 8,000 Deputy Sheriffs belong.

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

Whether it is COVID-19 fatigue, indifference or the political polarization of issues within our society, PPOA has faced challenges in the last two years like never before. Strangely, instead of coming together as PPOA members have in the past, there are some members internally and opportunistic groups externally working to harm this beloved organization and its membership. 

No matter which side of the COVID-19 vaccination argument you fall on, PPOA, as an organization, believes the COVID-19 executive order, mandating all County employees to be vaccinated by October 1, to be draconian, resource-intensive and an unprecedented process, which threatens the employment of County employees unnecessarily. PPOA and the Coalition of County Unions (CCU), including ALADS and 12 other unions, have maintained a strategic stance:

• Against any COVID-19 vaccination mandate that includes discipline
• Continue to demand accommodation and/or testing options for our members who may not be defined within medical and/or religious exemptions
• Continue to address with the County the unreasonableness of the timeline

PPOA and the other unions of the CCU believe the County is seriously underestimating the impacts of this mandate on their workforce. As I write this, the Los Angeles Times is reporting the state of California is experiencing failures in its ability to mandate employees to vaccinate (tinyurl.com/4ym4vmdx). The poorly conceptualized demands of the County mandate ignore good labor relations, logic and unrecognized consequences to the citizens of Los Angeles County. Adding insult to injury, the breakdown in impact negotiations and the threat of termination to our members require PPOA and the CCU to fulfill our duty in defending our labor rights.

As you know, PPOA had engaged in intensive negotiations along with other member unions of the CCU. These negotiations included a need for delayed implementation, testing for those who would like that option, reasonable accommodations, the security of personal information and any potential discipline levied by the County. Negotiations reached an impasse, meaning deadlock or stalemate, on September 30. The next steps will lead to mediation and fact-finding, which PPOA has always advocated.

The CCU and PPOA have used and relied upon legal counsel and information provided by its members to craft and direct its plan of action in the most favorable and strategic manner. Our members’ working environment, protection of personal information, defense against threats of discipline and ability to work without duress have always been and continues to be our goal. Our actions thus far have included:

• Continued legal strategy meetings with our PPOA counsel
• Submission of County COVID-19 documents to outside labor law firms for additional perspective
• Strategic discussions with the California Fraternal Order of Police and their legal defense attorneys
• Strategy meetings with the California Coalition of Law Enforcement (Los Angeles Police, San Francisco Police, San Diego and others)

As well as enhanced communications with our PPOA membership through:

• Board member visits to units and facilities
• Delegate meetings and briefings, including legal counsel
• Zoom meetings with members, including legal counsel
• Relevant and timely email blasts
• Continuous summary of events through the Week in Review emails

While PPOA has warned members of unscrupulous entities profiteering off of fears, rumors are rampant, false information prevalent and trust in leadership is waning. PPOA’s commitment to our members and the preservation of your employment and working conditions have not. PPOA and public safety are now faced with an anti-law enforcement sentiment and activists influencing politicians like never before. PPOA and the CCU are working tirelessly, consulting with our legal team for any potential arguments upon which to take action. We must not initiate litigation based on feelings but instead on sound legal references. Any and all failed lawsuits or unsuccessful attempts at injunctive relief will only embolden the County’s position, harming all strategies in play and PPOA members in the long run.

Some members have appeared to have been influenced, joining other groups, donating to causes with outside law firms and even requesting drop cards. Some speak of knowing the law better than our attorneys. Some regurgitate information from social media and Google searches of COVID-19 science, presenting them with their own personal bias. What they have not done is recognize that this organization and all of its available resources are working on these concerns day and night, not as a belief to be proven, not as a research project, but as a fight, which requires a full-time overarching perspective.

To those members, I must remind them, UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL. PPOA’s experience, longevity and numerous successes speak for themselves. “Let us not split into factions, which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.” Let’s not allow PPOA to fall victim to a twist on the cancel culture. “Tough times never last, but tough people do!”

Instead of being a keyboard warrior or the cynic in the briefing room, come participate. Not with all of your accusations, but with an open mind and spirit to engage. Become a delegate. Come learn for yourselves firsthand of the complexities and perspectives that influence the decisions of the PPOA Board of Directors.

Back in July, in my article “Members Under Attack,” I provided numerous instances of global circumstances outlining how our membership is facing adversity like never before. As I write this month’s article, PPOA is engaged in one of, if not the most, controversial and polarizing topics in my career: the County’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

Let’s be perfectly clear. PPOA, as an organization, highly recommends protecting yourselves and colleagues in the workplace by utilizing available personal protective options such as hand sanitizers, masks, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine if you so desire and if it is permissible within your personal beliefs. The safety of our members and their families is of paramount importance.

That being said, the COVID-19 executive order mandating all County employees to be vaccinated by October 1 is a herculean task, resource intensive and threatening to the livelihood of County employees. What happened to labor relations with our employer partners, the Board of Supervisors? When/how did good governing surrender itself to placating to political perception? What happened to Los Angeles County being a “labor county”? Why have they stopped listening to reason?

To date, as of September 23, the County has only met with the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) — which negotiates on behalf of 14 unions (30,000-plus employees) including PPOA, ALADS, Fire, Probation and others — three times. If this “mandate” is so important, where is the participation? Why are they engaging in bad faith actions, communicating with our members information that has not yet been agreed upon? 

The County’s proposals include verbiage such as “mandatory,” “corrective action” and “termination.” Whereas in comparison, the CCU proposals have included language such as “goals,” “education” and “testing.” What is the intent of the Board of Supervisors? Do they not understand that if the goal is improved compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination, it would be obtained much faster and in higher numbers utilizing incentives rather than unemployment? 

CCU negotiators continue to battle for a comprehensive, incentive-based, data-driven solution with a reasonable timeline. These discussions are founded on reality-based arguments such as:

• What magically happens on October 1?
• Are the number of COVID-19 cases, based on Department of Public Health numbers, not dropping dramatically?
• Has the County calculated the number of interactive process meetings (IPMs) required for the anticipated medical and religious exemptions?
  • Who will complete these meetings?
  • Have they been properly trained on the nuances required of IPMs so as to not violate ADA and HIPAA laws?
  • Has the civil liability of those (not/poorly trained) supervisors violating these laws during IPMs been accounted for?

• Does the County even know how many within its workforce of approximately 100,000 employees are vaccinated?
  • Is the County ready for 5,000, 15,000 or 25,000 employees to be unavailable to report to work?
  • Could the County function with these types of numbers not available to work?

• What is the financial burden to the County to not have these people come to work and have to subsidize with overtime?
• What is the financial drain to the County to process the large numbers of suspensions and subsequent termination of employees?
• What is the long-term economic impact of a potential loss in knowledge, training and experience of this magnitude?

WHAT HAPPENED TO LABOR RELATIONS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY?

In years past, these questions would all have been presented early on during collaborative discussions between labor partners. Now, these questions remain unanswered in impact bargaining sessions after the fact. How can the County expect this to work in such an accelerated timeline?

The PPOA Board of Directors is an unyielding advocate during these negotiations, fighting for all of our members regardless of personal beliefs or positions on this issue, as due process was bypassed, and your rights to employment are being challenged.

The PPOA Board of Directors is following a legal, political and collaborative strategy with our labor partners, ALADS and the other members of the CCU. We have thoroughly researched legal options and opinions from the top legal defense attorneys utilized by our coalition partners (FOP, California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations, Southern California Alliance of Law Enforcement and Peace Officers Research Association of California) and monitor numerous lawsuits nationwide for any nuggets of knowledge that may adjust our strategy.

Speaking of strategy and lawsuits, PPOA, as well as many other unions, has become aware of various law firms operating statewide to step into the legal fracas on this issue. All I can say is, buyer beware! As described above, PPOA is utilizing every legal resource possible in our strategies. The current legal atmosphere does not bode well in challenging COVID-19-related mandates. Groups asking individuals for “donations” or “upfront fees” to fund temporary restraining orders or other legal action may not have your best interest.

PPOA continues to make ourselves available for collaborative discussions with the Board of Supervisors. We welcome the opportunity to provide reasonable recommendations in addressing the needs of the County during this pandemic, utilizing logic and attainable timelines. This organization is a proud member of the CCU, L.A. County Federation of Labor and national AFL-CIO, which gives us many opportunities to work collaboratively.

I’ll conclude this article with a quote I was reminded of from years back: “Work with me, people!”

As I write this article, I realize this month represents my 33rd year with the Department, having graduated from Class #248. More and more of my friends and classmates have joined the ranks of “The Retired.” Conversations with these retired members often include quotes such as “Best job you ever dreamed of” and “How did I have time to work?”

Those of us still in the workforce, especially those of us in the 50-plus age range, understand the pressures all too well. Not only do we have the stress of work, but let’s add to it the family pressures of adult children who fail to launch or the responsibilities of taking parents to their medical appointments. These weights exacerbate and exaggerate the desire to retire as the number of days on the countdown clock ticks down ever so slowly.

The retirees I have spoken to communicate that their newfound freedom allows them to address these burdens and so much more. They embrace the next chapter of life, whether it is traveling, becoming a farmer, writing a book, starting a new career or helping others through volunteer work. Without the stress of “the job,” they look younger and healthier than ever before. They inspire me to balance my life now, allowing for creativity and activity in preparation for my own retirement. 

Every generation says this, but I would challenge any of the predecessors. The stressors of a career in public safety have never been greater than today. A worldwide pandemic and the polarization of politics in our nation, state and county, as well as the anti-law-enforcement sentiment, all create a difficult mindset, decreased productivity and undue stress. My discussions with representatives of LACERA and our workers’ compensation attorney partners represent extraordinary numbers of members who either are impaired by injuries on duty or are in the retirement process.

You get the picture. And if you are still active but at the tail end of your career, you really get the picture. Friends and colleagues who have already retired will tell you that the motivation to retire gets stronger as you begin to envision your next chapter in life. That optimism is natural. Unfortunately, the motivation for thousands of cops nationwide who have been hastily retiring lately is not because of what the future holds as much as it is because of what the current job is up against. 

Not only are potential retirees increasing in annual numbers, but retirees are also increasingly leaving the state of California. In fact, retired PPOA members living out of state increased by 17%, including the top five most popular destinations: Arizona (140), Nevada (95), Idaho (47), Texas (45; new to the list and pushing Oregon out of the top five) and Washington (41). Regardless of where members retire, they travel, start businesses or raise grandchildren (sometimes children), and a very valued few even continue their involvement with PPOA, for which we are extremely grateful.

The retirees I have spoken to communicate that their newfound freedom allows them to embrace the next chapter of life.

I am very grateful for the opportunities the Sheriff’s Department and PPOA have provided during my career. When I retire (no timeline planned yet), I look forward to the next chapter that many of you exemplify. Traveling, spending time with family and friends, and exploring interests you never had the time for while working and raising a family all sound fantastic. 

To those retired, thank you for your service. Please stay healthy, enjoy your retirement and, as my father says, “Take the County for every dime they owe you.” 

To those remaining active, thank you for all you do in these historically unprecedented times. Stay safe, hold your heads high and represent our noble profession to the best of your abilities.  

Have you ever awoken recently and just asked yourself, “Why bother?” Are there more days where you feel like, “Why do I go to work?”

The stress of this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the hope of its finality dashed by surges threatening our health, as well as the obvious mainstream media and activist attacks on our chosen calling are horrendous. Now more than ever, American society and each of us personally are being challenged to evolve or fail. We are truly at a turning point in history, and as a result, we must each make a choice.

Interestingly enough, while writing this article, I was thinking about society’s FEAR. From that thought, and a very brief research project, I was led to the 1933 inaugural address of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Many of his points are still relevant today.

Now more than ever, heroes are needed. You are needed! Do not let these difficult times and fear dictate your actions. Stay true to yourselves and the honorable calling you have chosen.

“… This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance …”

Roosevelt continued to speak on the common financial difficulties people were facing following the stock market crash of 1929, which left the country’s economy in ruins.

“… Values have shrunken to fantastic levels; taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment of income; the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no markets for their produce; the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone.

“More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.

“Yet our distress comes from no failure of substance. We are stricken by no plague of locusts. Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered because they believed and were not afraid, we have still much to be thankful for …”

Do these unprecedented historic times not present similar problems in our society today? Homelessness, the end of rent/mortgage moratoriums, skyrocketing housing costs, reform of systemic racism and accusations of police brutality, all play into society’s anxieties.

While everyone’s feelings should be respected, society cannot control individual feelings. For American society to survive these issues, we must not FEAR. As I have been recently reminded, the acronym FEAR stands for “false evidence appearing real.” Do we not see that in every mainstream news story looking for ratings? Is it not spread on social media by “influencers”? Are not many elected officials placating their new positions to that same false evidence, perpetuating anomalies and feelings as “systemic” facts?

Recently, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors passed an agenda item again asking for more authority to be given to the Office of Inspector General (OIG). This motion was authored out of response to the OIG report titled “Report Back on Protecting Surviving Families from Law Enforcement Harassment and Retaliation.” This eight-page report contained only three pages of vague statements from survivors of those who died in violent confrontations with law enforcement. These unsubstantiated and obviously biased statements became a representation of systemic harassment of families. During the hearing, certain county supervisors insisted on calling those who had passed “victims” and/or “those murdered by law enforcement.”

The Board of Supervisors doubled down on its contempt for law enforcement and its support of these surviving family
members by including in the motion a request “to identify ongoing funding necessary to continue the Board’s established Family Assistance Program to support families following an in-custody death or fatal use of force by law enforcement.”

While these fatal incidents are tragic, they are by no means reflective of the thousands of interactions law enforcement has with the community daily. Any loss of life is tragic. The majority of law enforcement officers have gone 30-plus year careers without being involved in a shooting, let alone a fatal incident. Unlike what appears to be represented, law enforcement officers do not wake up in the morning and decide to act as “judge, jury and executioner.”

Never once were the actions of the “victims” leading to the violent confrontation with law enforcement mentioned. Never once were the circumstances of the preliminary investigation into these incidents mentioned. Never once was the significance to the law enforcement officer and/or his or her family mentioned.

When a law enforcement officer is involved in any significantly violent event, it is life changing. When I joined the Sheriff’s Department, I was welcomed into the County family as well as the law enforcement profession. Where is the support from the Board of Supervisors for its own County family members? Is there a special program to help the families of law enforcement officers who suffer from the effects of a fatal shooting? A program to assist with the nightmares, PTSD, isolation from family and friends, alcohol abuse, and let’s not forget the obnoxious and sometimes violent protesters in your front yard? Where is the support for the persons who run into the line of fire, who face violence and possibly death, out of their dedication to the community? Twenty years ago (anyone remember 9/11?), law enforcement officers were heroes … now we are martyrs to be sacrificed by the court of public opinion.

Because of FEAR, now more than ever, heroes are needed. You are needed! Do not let these difficult times and FEAR dictate your actions. Stay true to yourselves and the honorable calling you have chosen. Believe in yourselves. We are the sheepdogs, not the wolves. Trust in your training and conduct yourselves as the professionals we all know you are. Don’t listen to the rhetoric. The community values you, no matter what the internet/media would have you believe. Change the acronym of FEAR into “face everything and rise.” Heroes are needed.

PPOA has now been here for the last 70 years, supporting our membership. We will continue to support our members through these difficult issues. As a valued PPOA family member, should you be in need of assistance, please reach out.

While the public safety pendulum is always in motion, nowhere in my 32-plus years of experience has it swung so far against law enforcement. PPOA continues to protect members as an organization to the best of our abilities, but the attacks against membership are no longer numerous and political, but voluminous and bloody.

Take for example the violent attack on a Custody Assistant working the Inmate Reception Center in early May. While providing to the needs of a mentally ill inmate, she became the victim of an unprovoked, brutal assault. While I would like to say this encounter was an anomaly, our membership knows well that it is not. 

Many members working in the Custody Divisions of the Sheriff’s Department face verbal abuse, exposure to cowardly “gassings” and increased physical aggression, daily! This particular assault was captured by the Department’s CCTV system, and subsequently released to the media as an example of the difficulties members experience. All of this while our Board of Supervisors (BOS) continues their rhetoric of “care first, jails last.”

Speaking of the BOS, let’s take a moment to thank them personally for yet another kick in the teeth to the labor movement and the past practice of caring for County employees. As of July 1, the Executive Office of the BOS has decided to replace 30 of our Security Officer members with private security. In the short term, this will displace our members into unfunded positions within the Sheriff’s Department, furthering the LASD budget woes, effectively wasting twice the taxpayers’ dollars and providing a lesser quality of security. The long-term effects of this decision will now play out in the political world involving the L.A. County Federation of Labor, which has voiced support for PPOA’s position to the BOS, as well as in the legal arena following PPOA’s filing of an unfair labor charge against the County.

While we are on the topic of legal action, PPOA members do have one victory to celebrate. Back in August of last year, the BOS, in an unprecedented move, supported the placement of Measure J on the November 2020 ballot, bypassing required processes and the signature procedure. Measure J, if you are not familiar, was a ballot initiative amending the County’s charter to require that no less than 10% of the County’s general fund be appropriated to community programs and alternatives to incarceration, such as health services and pre-trial non-custody services. PPOA, ALADS and the CCU all rallied together to object to this action, and when shunned by the BOS, jointly filed legal action against the County. Voters passed Measure J in November 2020, but a recent Superior Court decision on June 17 overturned Measure J, citing “The only question presented is whether the ballot process can be used to take this budgeting choice out of the hands of the current and future elected boards, the court concludes it cannot.” This victory is important, but is only one battle in the war against the social justice reformists who look to allegedly improve public safety through the defunding of law enforcement and the criminal justice system in the name of equity and constitutionality.

“Constitutionality” … funny how that only works one way these days. The placement of Measure J on the ballot was found to be flawed in its adherence to the County Charter and the responsibilities of elected officials. Now, our Sheriff, the self-proclaimed supporter of Department members, is attempting to discipline PPOA members for invoking their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during an Internal Criminal Investigation Bureau interview. Yes, you are reading this correctly, a PPOA member was subjected to intimidation and threats when he adhered to his attorney’s advice to invoke his constitutional rights not to give a voluntary statement. Within days, this member was relieved of duty with the following description of the nature of the investigation, “It is alleged you refused to answer questions regarding your knowledge and activities related to the traffic collision and invoked your Fifth Amendment privilege.” 

Unfortunately, two other PPOA members were coerced into providing statements under fear of the same treatment. PPOA followed up on this trampling of our members’ rights with conversations through the Department’s chain of command, from Division Chief to the Undersheriff and finally the Sheriff. When that failed, three Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights violations were filed on behalf of our members. This topsy-turvy world we live in where criminals are given more rights than our members exercising their constitutional rights has got to stop!   

All of this going on while the California State Legislature has 15-plus pieces of legislation that attack the very core of the future of law enforcement within this state. These proposed bills look to define “use of force” yet again (AB 26), limit our resources in dynamic “protest” situations (AB 48) and even decertify our POST certificates (SB 2).

Why is all of this happening? I personally and professionally believe everyone must learn, change and evolve. The day we stop learning is the day we stop living. However, this “cancel culture” group of activists are a demographic of people who demand change without proposing sustainable solutions. Homelessness, mental illness and social equity have taken decades, if not hundreds of years, to be created. These problems cannot be solved in a matter of weeks, months or even years. Sustainable solutions require plans, resources and time to develop. Right now, activists are screaming only for the solution without considering the lack of resources to accomplish their goals. “We want it, and we want in now!” Unfortunately, many of our elected officials are abandoning their governing responsibilities to the silent majority only to placate the very vocal and loud minority of citizens.  

The most recent example of this is the BOS’ recent motion and actions toward the closing of Men’s Central Jail (MCJ). PPOA has made our subject-matter experts available for the last 10 years, communicating concerns about our members’ working conditions and need for improvement, as well as support in closing MCJ, but only in exchange for a viable alternative in housing the legally required inmate population. Mental health group homes, the creation of a secure mental health facility and/or the re-opening of PDC-East and Mira Loma have all been discussed, but no BOS’ motions made. Instead, the “care first, jails last” movement seems to be hellbent on releasing more criminals into the community with no more community transition resources available than in the past. PPOA advocates for “additional” (not re-allocated from public safety agencies) resources to be placed into these community opportunities. In the future, as these opportunities come to fruition, then and only then should public safety funding be diverted.

PPOA continues to and wants to meet with the few elected officials and other labor organizations to work in partnership on proposed reform efforts that are reasonable and attainable with the specific anticipated goals to be achieved over time. This organization is a proud member of the CCU, L.A. Fed and national AFL-CIO, which gives us many opportunities to work collaboratively across the labor spectrum. Unfortunately, here in Los Angeles County and California, we see significant, continuing and future problems with pie-in-the sky solutions from activists, the eroding of public safety and the citizens being forced to deal with the inevitable tragic and violent events that result from the knee-jerk solutions of the activists who are adopted and embraced by our elected officials.

Oh, and did I mention the Olympics are scheduled to be in Los Angeles in about seven years … go SoCal!