PPOA Week in Review

PPOA Members Among Police Unity Tour Cyclists Greeted by Thousands in Washington DC

May 10-12: Participants in the 3-day Police Unity Tour were greeted by thousands of colleagues, friends and supporters, including PPOA President Steve Johnson, in the nation's capitol on Tuesday afternoon. The arrival of the cyclists marked the unofficial start of National Police Week and corresponding events throughout Washington D.C.

LASD cyclists, including PPOA 1st Vice President Rob Weber and Board Member Noe Ramos, began the ride in New Jersey on Sunday and pedaled through cities in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland with a primary mission to acknowledge officers who died in the line of duty. The 2026 Police Unity Tour, marking its 30th anniversary, raised $2.5 million in donations for the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). Since its inception, the Tour has donated $42 million to the NLEOMF in honor of the fallen.

PPOA and ALADS proudly sponsored members of both unions participating in the 2026 Police Unity Tour. Support team representatives from both organizations were embedded with the riders to ensure the event moved forward as safely and smoothly as possible for all involved.

Click here to view the PPOA photo album from the 2026 Police Unity Tour.

Annual Visit to Arlington National Cemetery

May 13: LASD and LAPD personnel, along with family members of fallen officers from both agencies, paid a visit to Arlington National Cemetery to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This annual event has become a collaborative tradition for the two departments during National Police Week. PPOA President Steve Johnson and 1st Vice President Rob Weber were among the uniformed personnel in attendance.

Click here to view photos from the event.

Luncheon at Fort Myer for LASD and LAPD Personnel

May 13: PPOA teamed up with ALADS and the Los Angeles Police Protective League to sponsor our traditional luncheon at Fort Myer for LASD and LAPD personnel and families of fallen officers. PPOA President Steve Johnson and 1st Vice President Rob Weber were among the uniformed personnel in attendance.

38th Annual Candlelight Vigil at National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

May 13: Each year, the names of officers who die in the line of duty are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial in Washington, DC. These names are then read aloud during the annual Candlelight Vigil to memorialize those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil was hosted on the National Mall with family members of hundreds of fallen officers in attendance.

PPOA President Steve Johnson and 1st Vice President Rob Weber were in attendance.

Click here to view photos from the vigil.

Reception Brings Together Law Enforcement Personnel and Labor Leaders

May 14: PPOA representatives attended the annual reception hosted by ALADS at the Hall of the States Building in Washington, DC. This location serves as headquarters for the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA), one of America's oldest labor unions, established in 1875. PPOA and ALADS are connected to the AFL-CIO (the international union representing 15 million American workers) through MEBA and it is our honor to spend time at their headquarters overlooking the nation's capitol.

45th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

May 15: Family members of fallen officers gathered with law enforcement personnel from agencies throughout the country for the 45th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service yesterday. The ceremony was hosted on the West Lawn of U.S. Capitol. Speakers included Vice President JD Vance and Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick Yoes. PPOA President Steve Johnson and 1st Vice President Rob Weber were both in attendance.

Click here to view the photo album from the ceremony.

PPOA Members:

Are You Registered for Union Elections?

Please be advised that all PPOA voting going forward will be conducted online. In order to cast electronic ballots, members need to complete a one-time registration. If you have not already done so, please click here to register.

Hundreds of PPOA members have registered in the last few months, but we still have a long way to go. Make sure you are eligible to vote online by registering today!

Fraternal Order of Police News Update

PPOA members have long benefitted from our affiliation with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the world's largest organization of law enforcement officers, with more than 374,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges nationwide. All active PPOA members are part of California FOP Lodge 1.

Important update re: FOP membership for retired PPOA members

When a sworn PPOA member retires and wishes to reactivate his/her FOP member benefits, the following step must be taken: To reactivate your membership as a retired peace officer, you will need to pay FOP annual dues of $48. To do so, please send an email to the FOP Lodge 1 Secretary at wmwestermann@sbcglobal.net

Make it a point to check out Washington Watch — a weekly news update provided by the National FOP. We encourage PPOA members to stay up to date on the legislative news and activity impacting public safety personnel nationwide.

Click here to read this week's Washington Watch.