PPOA President
Lieutenant, LASD
sjohnson@ppoa.com
Some serious and disturbing actions by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) have caused PPOA to engage in multiple legal actions to stop the OIG from violating the rights of our members. Over the past two years, during my tenure in office, there have been at least three pieces of litigation — what we call “OIG #1,” “OIG #2” and “OIG #3” — that impact the way the County treats you, the hardworking professionals who serve our county and Department.
These situations are not just about policies or procedures — they’re about your privacy, your rights and your ability to do your job without being unfairly questioned, punished or exposed. That’s why I want you to know that your union is not standing still. We are in the fight, every day, to protect your rights and demand that you be treated fairly under the law.
It all started back in 2020 with what we now call OIG #1. The County passed Measure R, which gave the OIG more power to oversee law enforcement. But what the County didn’t do was talk to your union about how that would affect you. They refused to bargain over how this new rule would impact working conditions, even though the law says they have to.
The OIG started focusing heavily on “cliques” and “subgroups,” calling them “gangs” — even using things like softball teams or tattoos as evidence. We all know that’s a stretch. The truth is, they started painting our honest members with a very broad brush, and that’s not fair. The union fought back, taking the matter to court and to the Employee Relations Commission (ERCOM).
Then came OIG #2. In 2023, 35 Department personnel received letters from the OIG demanding they show up for interviews — interviews that came with threats of discipline and decertification if they didn’t comply. There were no proper protections, no bargaining and no due process. PPOA took immediate action again. We filed legal charges, and a Superior Court judge agreed with us. He ruled that the County must negotiate with our union before issuing subpoenas or forcing members to appear.
The judge even said that the letters from the OIG were basically the same as subpoenas. We kept pushing, and ERCOM later ruled that OIG’s actions were illegal, calling it “direct dealing” and ordering the County to cover union legal costs.
The third case, OIG #3, started in late 2023. The OIG issued another subpoena — this time demanding records from ICIB investigations, asking why some deputies refused interviews. Again, there was no warning, no bargaining and no protection for our members. Just as with the first two incidents, your union responded quickly. We filed unfair practice charges and brought the issue to court. That case is still ongoing, and we’re waiting for a decision, but our message remains the same: no one gets to ignore your legal rights.
All of these cases show a troubling pattern — actions taken without warning, without proper bargaining and without respecting the law. We are not saying that oversight isn’t important. But it must be fair, it must be legal and it must protect your rights.
The County has argued that public trust is more important than your bargaining rights. They’ve even claimed that the subpoenas were narrow and didn’t require union input. But courts have disagreed. California law — including the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights — makes it clear: you are entitled to privacy, fair treatment and proper representation.
No one has the right to demand interviews or access your personal records without following the law. And as you know, we are also strongly opposing new legislation like AB 847, which would give civilian oversight boards more access to your confidential personnel files. That’s dangerous, unfair and unsafe — for you and your families.
The bottom line is this: your union is doing everything in our power to stop these abuses and make sure you are protected. We’ve taken legal action, challenged subpoenas, opposed bad laws and won key victories. But we can’t do it alone. If you receive a letter, a subpoena or a demand for information, please call PPOA first. Don’t go it alone.
This fight isn’t just about today. It’s about the future — for you, your co-workers and your families. We are stronger when we stand together. And together, we will get through this. Stay safe; stay united.