PPOA President
Lieutenant, LASD
sjohnson@ppoa.com
Happy new year to all of you and your families! A new year brings new hope, fresh energy and new chances to grow. While the times we live in are not easy, they are filled with opportunity. Even when challenges feel big, they can help us become stronger, smarter and more united.
I am truly honored to represent you as your union president. I want to begin by saying thank you. Thank you for the long hours, the sacrifices and the commitment you show every day. Your work matters, and it makes a real difference in the lives of others. As your servant leader, my job is to put your needs first. That means caring about your well-being at work, at home and as part of the PPOA family.
Please know this: PPOA’s staff and leadership are always here for you — day or night. Whether you need help or guidance, you are never alone. The challenges we face are real, but they also push us to think in new ways, stand strong together and move forward with purpose. You can count on PPOA to take bold action and make smart decisions to protect and support you.
Our members serve proudly in the Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Medical Examiner. These are demanding jobs that test your strength and determination. Yet time and time again, you rise to the challenge and deliver excellent work. As we complete negotiations for our next Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), PPOA will continue to fight hard for your best interests. We understand the added pressure created by major global events coming to our county, and we will make sure your voices are heard.
Many of you are feeling stretched thin. Long overtime hours, not enough staffing, strict oversight and public criticism can wear anyone down. These pressures are real, and they affect not only your work life, but your personal life as well. Still, there is good news. The momentum is shifting. PPOA’s strong involvement — along with support from our local, state and national partners — is making a difference. Together, we are seeing progress.
As we move into 2026, financial challenges remain. Budgets are tight, and tough decisions lie ahead. But our commitment has not changed. PPOA will continue to fight for fair pay, strong benefits and the protection of your rights. We will demand honesty and transparency from county leaders. More members of the public are beginning to understand the value of the work you do, and your daily actions continue to build trust and respect.
I am also proud to share that I have been appointed as second vice president of the California Fraternal Order of Police (CAFOP), having previously served as CAFOP sergeant-at-arms. This new role gives PPOA a stronger voice at the state and national levels. This means we will have more influence over decisions that affect your careers, your rights and your future. In the year ahead, we will stay fully engaged in protecting your privacy and ensuring your right to fair treatment.
This year is especially meaningful because PPOA is celebrating its 75th anniversary. That is 75 years of standing together, supporting one another and fighting for what is right. Our union was founded on a simple idea: protect, support and advance those who serve with honor, courage and professionalism. From the very beginning, PPOA has worked to give its members a strong and united voice.
No matter the assignment or challenge, our members have continued to perform at the highest level. As labor concerns have increased, PPOA has responded by strengthening advocacy, building partnerships and standing firm at the bargaining table. Through these efforts, we have secured fair agreements, defended due process and protected the rights of our members.
Today, PPOA’s influence reaches further than ever before. By working closely with allied organizations, we help shape policies that affect your jobs and your lives. Even in uncertain times, our mission remains the same: act boldly, advocate strongly and hold leaders accountable.
As we look ahead, we do so with pride and confidence. PPOA’s history is one of resilience, unity and victory. Together, we will meet new challenges and seize new opportunities. Let us continue our tradition of winning — not just for ourselves, but for those who will follow.
The road ahead may not be easy, but the possibilities before us are greater than ever. I am proud to stand with you. Together, we will make 2026 a year of transformational growth, strength and progress.