PPOA Board Member
Security Officer, LASD
ggarcia@ppoa.com
I hope everybody is doing well as we roll into February. As some of you know, the articles are written well in advance of when you receive the magazine in your mailbox. Please know that you can also find each issue online at PPOA.com, usually a week earlier than the hard copy is available.
As I write this article, we (meaning PPOA and I) have been approached by County Services Bureau regarding the Job Fair, which was postponed back in November. Our job at PPOA is to always look out for our members and make sure that they are listened to and everything is transparent. However, we also know that the top priority for Sheriff’s Security Officers (SSOs) and Sheriff ’s Security Assistants (SSAs) is to provide public safety.
If you read my previous article, I hope you’ve started to search for your training records and your POST identification number. We are making sure all members are on the same page. I am also working on getting SSOs/SSAs more training, as we all have perishable skills that have not been used since the first few months after finishing the Academy. Along the lines of training, I do have to commend each one of you on your “verbal judo” skills. I see the way patrons and sometimes even staff talk to you and how you all keep your composure. Thank you.
I can’t stress enough to CONTINUALLY brush up on your Department-trained skills and practice them!
I hope by the time you read this article, the Uniform Survey with the correct Department colors has been sent out and you have had a chance to vote and make your comments as well.
I would like to invite members of PPOA to attend one of our delegates meetings. If you have never attended a meeting, you would be a guest for the first time. I would hope that after your first delegates meeting, you would want to become a delegate so you can find out more about the history of PPOA and the unions and why they are so important. But if you don’t find it beneficial, that’s OK. All I ask is that you reach out to delegates and find out what’s happening. Just like anywhere else, at times there are too many rumors and not enough people to share the exact facts and truth.
I have not forgotten why you elected me, and I will look into the 4850 (labor code) time. We are hoping that with the assistance of the PPOA attorneys, we can identify what our options are and the best path to resolve the issue at hand.
As a friendly reminder, if you are injured in a use of force, please make sure to notify PPOA and let us know, just in case it has to go to a long-term injury. I want to make sure all members are protected.
Lastly, I can’t stress enough to continually brush up on your Department-trained skills and practice them! You can’t predict the day when something will occur while you’re working at your current assignment, from a natural disaster to a threat of an active shooter. You are first responders, never forget that. Sometimes you’re not thanked enough for the job you do and sometimes you are even looked down upon. Please remember that most people feel safer at your assignment when they see you there.