PPOA Board Member
Sergeant, LASD
tromo@ppoa.com
We have seen the worst of times in recent years. The pandemic and the “defund the police” movement have devastated our personal lives and our Department. As battered as everyone feels, if you are reading this, it is because you are still here, alive and ready to fight for our communities and ourselves for another day.
Our salary and benefits contracts are being negotiated, a Sheriff’s office election is upon us, the County Board of Supervisors is trying to take total control of our Department with new ordinances, state legislators are still trying to enact laws to hamper law enforcement, the COVID mandates are still lingering and the current L.A. County district attorney is destroying our communities with his policies and his failure to carry out his duties properly. These are the important issues facing us now. It is time to stand up and fight with fellow PPOA members to protect us all.
In these trying times, it is the duty of every member to invest in their own futures and in the futures of those who will come after us. Stay informed: Read, listen and watch the actions of our local, state and federal governments while holding them accountable for the laws and budgets they enact. Do the same for those you elect to our union leadership positions. We are here to be your voice, represent your interests and fight for you.
How can you stay involved in your union, you may ask? It may take only a few minutes of your day or it may be a couple of hours per month, but any time you invest now will pay dividends for yourself and all fellow union members in the future.
In the next few months, you may be asked to vote, participate in a survey, send an email, make a telephone call, attend a meeting or march in a rally supporting the fight for your pay, benefits and working conditions. Please do something! Do not sit idle while the Board of Supervisors or some other politician is allowed to make decisions for you without hearing from you. A union is only as strong as the whole membership working together.
Everyone doing something to voice their opinion or shine a light on serious situations affecting the union membership is advancing the cause of our organization. As time permits, communicate with your co-workers and union leadership to have your voice heard. Stay involved one way or another.
Your voice matters, your union dues matter. Participate, hold us to a high standard, expect action and expect results from your PPOA union.
In closing, please take time to remember our family, friends and co-workers we lost in the last couple years to COVID and those we lost while in service to our communities.
Until next time, stay safe.