PPOA Week in Review - Jan. 11, 2025

Sheriff Security Assistant Elmer Mercado

End of Watch: January 6, 2025

The 10-year LASD veteran was assigned to Court Services Bureau West at the time of his passing and is survived by his wife. We ask that you keep the Mercado family in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

President Signs Social Security Fairness Act Into Law

January 5: The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) was signed into law by President Biden on Sunday. This historic legislative victory for millions of public servants and their families repeals the punitive and discriminatory Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) laws. More than 2.7 million hardworking Americans are currently affected by the WEP and GPO regulations, which slash Social Security, pensions, and other retirement benefits. Many more have been penalized since the laws were enacted nearly 40 years ago.

More information can be found in the January 2025 issue of Star & Shield magazine and on the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) website. The FOP has been at the forefront of this fight for fairness from the very beginning and this monumental victory highlights the strength of collective tenacity and focus. PPOA is proud of our longtime affiliation with the FOP and the fact that our active members make up the largest component of California FOP Lodge #1.

California Contract Cities Association Legislative Tour

January 6-7: President Steve Johnson and fellow representatives from the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) met in Sacramento for the Annual CCCA Sacramento Legislative Tour. This event takes place in early January to coincide with the start of the new legislative session and provides CCCA members with an invaluable opportunity to meet with state legislators, leaders, and constitutional officers.

Photo: Assemblyman Tom Lackey and PPOA President Steve Johnson.

Support for PPOA Members Impacted by Wildfires

January 7: As all PPOA members are aware, a series of devastating wildfires began tearing through Los Angeles County on Tuesday. So far, 10 deaths are attributed to the fires, approximately 9,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed and more than 180,000 residents have been evacuated. A number of PPOA members have lost their homes and, to date, President Steve Johnson has been able to contact and/or visit three of those members to provide support from this Association.

PPOA Board of Directors Meeting;

Lieutenant Weber Sworn In

January 8: The monthly PPOA Board of Directors meeting was hosted in San Dimas on Wednesday. Directors in attendance included President Steve Johnson, 1st Vice President Jay Chapman, 2nd Vice President Joe Walker, Secretary Chris Lee, Treasurer Joyce Kato, and Board Members Kevin Ahsmuhs, Walter Arcos, Roel Garcia, Luis Orozco, and Jim Schallert. The board welcomed its newest director, Lieutenant Robert Weber, as he was sworn in to a two-year term representing Unit 612.

Unit 612 Training Committee Update

January 9: PPOA sent an email to members in Unit 612 on Thursday to remind them of a valuable, new partnership between the Unit 612 Training Committee and Echelon Front, a widely-respected leadership development company. Forthcoming resources for Unit 612 members will include leadership books and specifically tailored webinars.

PPOA Calendar Book and Annual Report Now Online; Arriving in Mailboxes

The 2025 PPOA Calendar & Benefits booklet, along with the 2024 Annual Report, are posted at PPOA.COM and began hitting mailboxes this week. While the calendar offers a full view of events ahead and benefits for members, the annual report provides an important reflection on the accomplishments and challenges that impacted PPOA members in 2024.

PPOA Bulletin Board Updates

Attention active members: Have you checked the PPOA bulletin board at your unit recently? We want to ensure the information posted on the PPOA boards is relevant for members.

If your PPOA bulletin board needs attention, please send an email with your name, employee number and work location to: rescalante@ppoa.com.

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 $44 for 2025. To do so, please send an email to the FOP Lodge 1 Secretary at wmwestermann@sbcglobal.net

Please 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.