Nevertheless, She Persisted

My fellow Custody Assistants: And just like that, it has been one year since I was sworn in. I wish I could say time flies when you are having fun, but this has truly been the longest year of my life. I have been tried and tested in ways I couldn’t have imagined, yet I find myself still standing, learning and fighting for the fair treatment of Custody Assistants. I have stayed true to myself and why I am here, and I refuse to be quiet or make myself smaller for anyone’s comfort. Some of us were not meant to be the “ghost recruit.” I am a firm believer that all things happen for a reason. Although there couldn’t be a worse time to be in my shoes, given the current environment, I haven’t let any of the negative deter me from showing up and being heard. And I intend to continue doing so as the recently selected PPOA second vice president.

On March 25, I and other PPOA executives met with LASD command staff for a one-year follow-up on the status of Custody Assistants (C/As) holding the position of Custody Training Officer (CTO). For those unaware, PPOA fought some years ago for C/As who held the position of CTO to be compensated the same as our Deputy counterparts, who were receiving a 5.5% pay increase for the duration of time in which they were assigned a trainee. PPOA was successful in their efforts, making C/As eligible for the 5.5% CTO pay. However, in March 2025, it was discovered that there was only one C/A in the entire county to hold the position. It was extremely disheartening to find C/As were not being utilized for training incoming C/A trainees, especially after PPOA came through with a huge win. After the original discussion with LASD command staff last year, PPOA was assured there would be at least one C/A in the position of CTO at every custody facility by May 2025. Today, I am glad to report, as of March 2026, there are currently 13 C/As countywide holding the title of CTO, taking on the responsibility of training the next generation of C/As. Although that is a great improvement, the goal is for all C/As coming out of the Academy to be trained by a C/A. With that said, I want to hear from those of you who have gone through the application process for CTO at your respective facilities and were denied the position. I want to have a better understanding of why there aren’t more C/As
in this position. There are multiple facilities that have just one C/A as a CTO but have had 15-plus C/A trainees in the last year. There is money on the table — why not take it? Are C/As simply not applying, or are there other factors in play?

On March 26, PPOA’s Star & Shield Foundation sponsored a barbecue fundraiser (see page 12) in support of the family of our recently departed partner, C/A Diego Zamora. It was a group effort, with PMB Operations, CTU staff and PPOA grillmaster Rico Escalante holding down the fort, serving 250 hungry patrons and selling out within two hours, while DJ Canas provided good vibes and a slideshow of remembrance. It was no easy feat, and I am so grateful to all my partners who pitched in to make this event a success. In my last article, I spoke of the importance of C/As showing up for C/As, and boy, did we show up. The afternoon was filled with many LASD personnel, retired and present, coming out to take a trip down memory lane with their partners. It was a sight to see  and such a beautiful tribute to a longtime partner, mentor and friend. 

By the time this article is published, Bargaining Unit 621 will have met with the County of Los Angeles for the first time on April 15, beginning our much-delayed contract negotiations. Unfortunately, at this point, I cannot brief anyone on a meeting that has yet to occur. However, I am confident in our preparation. I look forward to bringing forth important issues that are long overdue to be addressed and bringing significant change for the betterment of all of Bargaining Unit 621.