PPOA Second Vice President
Custody Assistant, LASD
tcoleman@ppoa.com
It’s been three years since the world and COVID collided, bringing about great uncertainty, health concerns, separation, anxiety, political differences, panic, overreaction, and personal and financial loss. With resilience, faith and some common sense, we have come through.
On February 28, the state of emergency that fostered numerous mandates is now gone — and with it, most of the things that caused angst, arguments, early retirements, leaving the Department and even leaving California.
Through it all, PPOA hung tough. Through the misinformation, fear and noise from the overly opinionated, PPOA defended its members, and with that, no member of this Association was disciplined behind COVID-related mandates.
The personal data collected by Fulgent and LASD is still in question. It was gathered under a state of emergency that no longer exists, and through legal counsel, PPOA will ask what will become of the information and seek to have that information destroyed. More information to come as this goes forward.
A huge thank-you to PPOA Legal Counsel Jim Cunningham, who has been on the legal frontline for the entire pandemic, advising PPOA, advocating for members and protecting their rights under difficult circumstances.
The resulting exodus that occurred has Department staffing levels reeling. To their credit, the Department has acknowledged this issue and has put forth the initial effort to try and rectify the problem. But this also begs to ask, how do you stabilize the position? The short answer: make it more attractive and lucrative to a younger or newly hired individual.
Custody Assistant Class #108 graduated on March 10, with another 100-plus people sent to backgrounds to keep the line moving. There need to be discussions on ideas to bring stability and development to the position.
Those wanting to and advancing to become Deputies is a good thing, where previously, there was a reluctance to place Custody Assistants into academies. Right now, there is a revolving door. And with 10 DST academies scheduled, the counter to balance vacancies is paramount.
As a reminder, PPOA provides more than simple work-related defense. There are the other less talked about benefits, though just as important:
- Labor representatives
- Attorneys
- Free, non-job-related legal advice
- Legal Defense Plan
- Exclusive bargaining agent for four units, contract enforcement and meeting with Department executives
- Fringe benefits. PPOA is a member of the Coalition of County Unions (CCU). We negotiate collectively for countywide benefits, such as medical, dental, vision, vacation, sick leave and others.
In closing, I want to acknowledge retiring Board member and former PPOA President Tab Rhodes. Tab led PPOA through arguably its most challenging season. He guided the union despite difficult circumstances from Department leadership, inconsistencies in enforcing policy, messaging to employees, anti-law enforcement rhetoric, deteriorating morale in custody, staffing shortages, station jailers, curtailment and the continuously moving goalpost on promotional requirements.
It was not easy, and it took a calm demeanor, a knowledgeable base, an ability to communicate and problem-solving skills. I appreciate the guidance and support for Custody Assistants and walking me through the process of problem-solving from a labor relations standpoint. It was a good 11-year run. Enjoy your retirement, Tab.