PPOA Week in Review - July 13, 2024

Meet and Confer re: Use of Force

July 8: PPOA representatives met with LASD executives to continue reviewing proposed revisions to the Use of Force Policy, Manual of Policies and Procedures (MPP). This meeting was a follow-up to a series of Meet and Confers that began in December 2023 to address this issue.

Meeting participants from PPOA included President Steve Johnson, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and union legal counsel.

Professional Peace Officers Insurance Agency Meeting

July 8: The Professional Peace Officers Insurance Agency (PPOIA) Board of Directors meeting was hosted on Monday. Board participants included PPOIA President/Sr. Criminalist Christopher Lee, Vice President/Sergeant Jose Rios, Treasurer/Sr. Criminalist Ryan Forte, Lieutenant Steve Johnson, and Captain Roel Garcia. PPOIA Directors are responsible for overseeing insurance products for members and establishing best business practices for the insurance agency.

PPOA Annual Audit Report Review

July 9: Per the PPOA bylaws, an outside accounting firm conducts an extensive audit at PPOA annually to help the staff and board determine the most efficient course for day-to-day operations of your union. PPOA members are asked to serve on the audit committee, which confers with the auditor to review the findings and confirm the information is accurate. It is an integral part of being transparent as an association and ensures that members play an active role in that process. We are pleased to report the audit confirmed that PPOA continues to be in an excellent financial position.

We are grateful to the following PPOA members who volunteered to serve on the audit committee this week:

Jim Cronin, Retired Member
Ryan Forte, Sr. Criminalist
David Hernandez, Sergeant
Cynthia Murphy, Custody Assistant
Jose Rios, Sergeant
Michael Salazar, Public Response Dispatcher II

Meet and Confer re:

Proposed DME Personal Property Policy

July 9: The Department of Medical Examiner (DME) has proposed establishing rules and guidelines to the collection and safeguarding of personal property by Medical Examiner staff.

PPOA met and conferred with DME executives and staff. President Steve Johnson, Treasurer/Medical Examiner Investigator Joyce Kato, Executive Director Wayne Quint, PPOA Staff and union legal counsel represented PPOA at this meeting. A follow up meet and confer will be scheduled.

PPOA Board of Directors Meeting

July 10: The monthly PPOA Board of Directors meeting was hosted in San Dimas. Directors in attendance included President Steve Johnson, 1st Vice President Jay Chapman, 2nd Vice President Tony Coleman, Secretary Chris Lee, Treasurer Joyce Kato, and Board Members Kevin Ahsmuhs,

Walter Arcos, Roel Garcia, Jim Schallert, and Joe Walker.

The PPOA Board is thankful to California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) President Jennifer Perez and Executive Director Marcel Rodarte for taking the time to speak with the Board about the significant benefits of membership for PPOA, ALADS and other organizations. The CCCA represents 80 cities in and around Los Angeles County. Currently, 42 cities contract with LASD, which brings $315 million in annual revenue to the department.

Legal Advisement Emailed to PPOA Members

at Department of Medical Examiner

July 10: PPOA emailed a legal advisement on Wednesday to members at the Department of Medical Examiner. The advisement contained important information about the Office of County Investigations. If you are a PPOA member in Unit 631/632 and did not receive the advisement, please send an email to info@ppoa.com, including your full name and employee number.

Contract Negotiations Survey Emailed to PPOA Members in Unit 612

July 11: PPOA members in Unit 612 received a negotiations survey on Thursday. This survey is an important of part of the preparation process for upcoming salary contract bargaining with the County. The survey was emailed to PPOA members only. If you are a PPOA member in Unit 612 and did not receive the survey, please send an email to info@ppoa.com, including your full name and employee number.

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 $40 for 2024. 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.

Your PPOA Membership Matters

Since 1951, PPOA members have benefited from exclusive protections, benefits and privileges. This edition of "Week in Review" cites prime examples:

July 10: PPOA emailed an important legal advisement to members at the Department of Medical Examiner. This message was sent exclusively to PPOA members.

July 11: PPOA emailed a salary contract negotiations survey to Unit 612 members. This opportunity to provide crucial input is provided exclusively to PPOA members.

July 13: PPOA is hosting a free retirement-planning workshop in order to help members efficiently prepare for life after a career of public service. This event is open exclusively to PPOA members.

July 19: PPOA is once again chartering an 85-foot boat for members to enjoy a full day of fishing and fun. The 24th Annual Fishing Trip is open exclusively to PPOA members and their guests.

August 28: PPOA will proudly host the 23rd Annual Pre-Labor Day BBQ and General Membership Meeting at Biscailuz Center. This event is free exclusively for PPOA members and immediate family.