PPOA First Vice President
Sergeant, LADA
jchapman@ppoa.com
Attention, men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and District’s Attorney’s Office: We have been called on to lead others during turbulent times. The challenges we faced and continue to face have prepared us for the demands that lie ahead in 2024. As we move into 2024, we must also look back and reflect on 2023. It was not an easy year for our law-enforcement family, both locally and across this great nation. We have been impacted by legislative change and have had to overcome new obstacles in our profession. We have lost too many brothers and sisters, both professionally and personally.
In 2024, the biggest challenges we will face are not the external challenges, but the internal challenges of our own making. The true challenges that lie ahead have less to do with upcoming external events than with internal challenges against losing commonality, courage, professionalism and compassion.
Our law enforcement profession is under scrutiny, with numerous Public Records Act requests, subpoenas for information and daily inquiries from multiple sources. Our priorities at PPOA continue to be with our members and protecting our members from those external challenges. We are committed to each of you and remain unwavering in your commitment to each other.
Our political landscape has also shifted in recent years; however, we have continued to be dedicated to the safety of all Los Angeles County residents. We have some critical elections this year locally, including the highly contested races for the board of supervisors and district attorney. We cannot control the outcome of these elections. However, we can control how we lead with both influence and courage.
Our financial resources have become strained with the rising health care costs combined with across-the-board cost-of-living increases. Bargaining Unit 612 will see a 3.25% increase on July 1, 2024, but we are already looking ahead to formulate a strong contract for our Unit 612 members in 2025. As we enter this final year of our contract, we will look for opportunities in our negotiations to meet the needs of our members and their families.
It will be a challenging year, no doubt, but I believe we can accomplish more and overcome more when we stick together. We will remain steadfast and professional despite those external challenges. We will overcome the internal challenges through our shared vision and goals. Be strong, be courageous and lead with influence.
It’s time to steady the ship and row through the fire. Be safe, brothers and sisters.