PPOA Week in Review - March 8, 2025

Custody Assistant Class #115 Orientation

March 3: PPOA representatives met with 25 newly-hired Custody Assistants at Biscailuz Center during their first day of orientation. Board Member-Elect/Custody Assistant Melissa Rodriguez, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and Labor Representative Mark Sanchez were on hand to welcome C.A. Class #115 as new members of PPOA.

Meet and Confer re: Major Crimes SIB Reorganization

March 3: PPOA representatives met with LASD executives regarding the implementation of a plan to enhance and expand the Sheriff’s Intelligence Unit in partnership with Major Crimes Bureau and the Sheriff’s Information Bureau. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled for the proposed plan.

Meeting participants from PPOA included President Steve Johnson, 2nd Vice President Joe Walker, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and union legal counsel.

Meet and Confer re: WCSCR Handbook Revisions

March 3: PPOA representatives met with LASD executives regarding the editions to the WCSCR Handbook. The proposed amendments to this handbook included significant changes to the handling of public comments, in addition to complaints. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled for the proposed editions. Meeting participants from PPOA included President Steve Johnson, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and union legal counsel.

Visiting with Members at Stanley Mosk Courthouse

March 4: President Steve Johnson visited with members and personnel of Court Services Central at Stanley Mosk Courthouse on Tuesday to discuss contract negotiations and issues impacting Department personnel.

Important Update from LA County CEO

March 5: PPOA was advised at an informational meeting with the LA County CEO and union leaders from across the County that the LA County Board of Supervisors authorized a CEO recommendation for a zero (0) percent cost of living allowance (COLA) for FY 25-26 for all collective bargaining units. PPOA was informed that the recent fires and AB 218 (click here for info) will greatly impact the County’s ability to provide COLA increases.

This information lands at a time when PPOA is at the bargaining table for Unit 612’s contract that expired January 31, 2025, after we have already completed nine bargaining sessions. The proposed, dire fiscal impact of AB 218, which was signed into law in 2018, should have been accounted for to mitigate the impact on our contract negotiations. That is not to say that PPOA will not be offered other economic incentives to reach agreement. We will see.

Morale is at a historic low for our hard-working members because of massive overtime and critical staffing issues. The County must understand that considering these factors, as well as pending momentous events and mandates, our members must be provided with pay and benefits that, at a minimum, respect and appreciate their dignity, sacrifices, and commitments.

More information will be pursued by PPOA to confirm the validity of the County’s position on the zero (0) percent COLA. PPOA will continue negotiations with the County to secure a fair and equitable contract. Further updates will be provided to members as they become available.

Unit 612 Contract Negotiations

March 5: PPOA members on the Unit 612 contract negotiations team met with representatives from the County of Los Angeles, the Sheriff's Department, and the District Attorney’s Office for the ninth round of contract bargaining in the PPOA conference center. The current Unit 612 salary contract expired on January 31, 2025. We will continue to keep PPOA members updated throughout negotiations.

PPOA Legislative Committee Meeting

March 6: PPOA Legislative Committee members participated in a teleconference with our Sacramento legislative representatives — Lang, Hansen, Giroux and Kidane — for the monthly discussion about legislative proposals in the current session that potentially impact PPOA members and public safety employees statewide.

Meeting participants from PPOA included President Steve Johnson, Legislative Consultant Art Reddy, and Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr.

PPOA has a proven track record of impactful legislative strategies that stretches back more than 60 years and has dramatically improved the rights and benefits of generations of PPOA members.

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.