PPOA Board Member
Sheriff’s Security Officer, LASD
lorozco@ppoa.com
THE DAILY GRIND
Hello, partners. As we enter the new year, I wish I had better news to share with everyone, but unfortunately, the drought continues for Sheriff Security Officer (SSO) academies. As of mid-January, there aren’t any SSO classes in sight for the first few months this year.
These are trying times for our classification, the Sheriff’s Department and law enforcement in general throughout the nation. The desire from individuals to begin and continue a profession in law enforcement continues to diminish, likely due to a variety of factors: the growing workload and liability far exceeding the incentives, the constant scrutiny of the public who only seek flaws in our actions and not holding the people truly harming society accountable, and overall absence of respect for law enforcement that is amplified and embellished by alleged leaders kowtowing to anti-law fringe groups.
I know things are difficult, morale is low and still descending, and it is easy to lose faith in a better future, but it is coming, so hang on, and thank you for continuing to hold the line. You are appreciated.
I will be doing my part and contacting those in charge of recruiting and processing the desperately needed academy classes and reiterating the urgency for people to join.
UPCOMING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
In the upcoming months, we will begin negotiations for our bargaining unit’s contract, which is set to expire in 2025. Addressing the low salary for our classifications was my primary objective when I sought the position of director, and I will seek to get us a living wage.
In the past, we have struck deals where our raises were so small they were easily offset by the growing cost of living and the climbing inflation rate. According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, a single-person household is considered a “low-income” household if it makes under $70,700 annually, putting a full-time and top-step sheriff security officer and sheriff security assistant salary well below that.
This is unacceptable and needs to end now.
FEBRUARY DELEGATE MEETING
Our first delegates meeting for 2024 is scheduled for February 27 at Courtyard Monterey Park (555 N. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park, 91754) at 5 p.m. You do not have to be a delegate to attend, but please reach out to PPOA to let them know you plan on attending. I look forward to seeing members there.
For those of you who are interested in becoming a delegate, please reach out to PPOA and request to sign up to become a delegate by emailing them at info@ppoa.com.
Delegates play an important role in our union by staying informed on issues affecting our classification and passing on information to the members at their assignments. Thank you to those of you who are already volunteering your time to help maintain a positive relationship between the union and its members.
MEET OUR NEW PPOA PRESIDENT
The newly elected PPOA president, Steve Johnson, has hit the ground running and has been visiting assignments throughout the county. He recently stopped by the Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau and met some of our partners there. Mr. Johnson is a United States Air Force veteran and a lieutenant most recently assigned to East Los Angeles Station. As I continue to work with and learn more about President Johnson, my trust in him grows, and I expect great things in PPOA’s future under his leadership.
As always, if you have any questions, concerns or just need to talk to someone, please feel free to reach out to me at lorozco@ppoa.com or (323) 400-9590. Be safe, partners, and take care.