PPOA Week in Review: Oct. 15, 2022

LASD Captain Eduardo "Eddie" Hernandez

EOW: 10/9/22

October 9: This week, we received the sorrowful news that LASD Captain Eduardo "Eddie" Hernandez passed on Sunday evening following complications from heart surgery. The 34-year department veteran was last assigned as Unit Commander at TSB and was a valued PPOA member since 2013.

The PPOA Board of Directors extends its sincerest condolences to the Hernandez family.

Support for County Services Bureau Training Day

October 10: PPOA was proud to support members taking part in a day of training for County Services Bureau. Board Member/Security Officer Gerry Garcia was on hand and the PPOA BBQ trailer was fired up to provide freshly-grilled lunch for all in attendance at Biscailuz Center.

COVID-19 Legal Meeting

October 11: PPOA reps hosted their latest regularly-scheduled teleconference to assess the continued impact of COVID-19 on our membership. Meeting participants included President Nancy Escobedo, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr., Sr. Labor Representative Venise Wallace, Labor Representative Teresa O'Neil, Intake Representative Kevin Thompson and PPOA legal counsel.

Click here for Los Angeles County daily COVID-19 data.

Support for PPOA Members Assigned to ICIB

October 11: PPOA staff delivered a treadmill to ICIB on Tuesday for use in the employee gym. In a continuing effort to support members, PPOA's Star & Shield Foundation teams up with New Life Cardio Equipment (NLCE) each year to secure a limited number of treadmills and ellipticals for employee gyms at facilities throughout the County. The machines are purchased by the Foundation at discounted pricing and delivered by PPOA to units in need of new exercise equipment. We've also arranged for NLCE to extend special pricing to any PPOA members interested in purchasing cardio equipment for personal use at home. For more info, call New Life Cardio at (800) 401-2446 and tell them you're a member of the Professional Peace Officers Association.

PPOA Unit 631/632 Contract Negotiations

October 11: The Unit 631/632 contract negotiations team hosted a teleconference with County executives on Tuesday to continue bargaining for a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

This PPOA bargaining unit is composed of Coroner Investigators and Supervising Coroner Investigators.

Support for DA's Office Personnel Honored at Awards Banquet

October 11: PPOA Executive Board Member Jay Chapman attended the Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) awards banquet on Tuesday evening. We are grateful to the award recipients listed below for their outstanding work and dedication.

Support Staff of the Year:

Belinda Herrera

Outstanding Victim Advocacy:

Kathy Cady

DA Investigator of the Year:

John Williams

Line Operations DDA:

Karen Brako

Special Operations DDA:

Benjamin Schwartz

Career Prosecutor of the Year:

Victoria Adams

Photo (from left to right): ADDA Treasurer Miji Vellakkatel, President Michele Hanisee, Director Dave Ayvazian, Secretary Ryan Erlich, and PPOA Board Secretary Jay Chapman.

Retired Undersheriff/Former PPOA Board Member Ray Leyva

EOW: 10/12/22

October 12: We were truly saddened to learn of the passing of former PPOA Board Member Ray Leyva on Wednesday following a courageous two-year battle with a serious medical condition.

The retired LASD Undersheriff was a respected leader in a number of capacities. Following his 35-year career with the Sheriff's Department, Leyva was selected to serve as Interim Chief of the LA County Probation Department in 2019. He was also National President of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association and Chairman of the POPA Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. Leyva's dedicated service to this Association included his tenure on the PPOA Board of Directors in 2013-2014.

The PPOA board and staff members extend our heartfelt condolences to the Leyva family during this difficult time. If you would like to reach out to the family, please send email to: rayleyva2022@gmail.com.

PPOA Board of Directors Meeting

October 12: The monthly PPOA Board of Directors meeting was held in San Dimas on Wednesday. Directors in attendance included President Nancy Escobedo, 1st Vice President Jose Rios, 2nd Vice President Tony Coleman, Secretary Jay Chapman, Treasurer Joyce Kato, and Board Members Joel Barnett, Jim Blankenship, Gerry Garcia, Chris Lee, Tab Rhodes, Tony Romo and Jim Schallert.

Meet and Confer re: Facilities Services Bureau

October 13: PPOA representatives took part in a Meet and Confer teleconference with personnel from the Bureau of Labor Relations and Compliance and Facilities Services Bureau (FSB) to discuss FSB warehouse realignment.

Meeting participants from PPOA included Board Member Jim Blankenship, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and Labor Representative Teresa O'Neil.

Contract Ratification Ballots En Route to PPOA Unit 614 Members

October 13: Salary contract ratification ballots for PPOA members in Unit 614 were delivered to the post office on Thursday. Please make it point to cast your vote soon. As a reminder, completed ballots must be received by 5:00PM on October 28, 2022.

2022 General Election - PPOA Voting Guide

Note: Endorsements are as of October 13, 2022. Additional endorsements, if any, will be posted in an upcoming Week in Review email to members.

Retired PPOA Members:

Join Friends for a Free Lunch & Memorable Afternoon

A Fun Night for a Noble Cause

Fraternal Order of Police News Update

PPOA members have long benefitted from our longtime affiliation with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the world's largest organization of law enforcement officers, with more than 364,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges nationwide. All active PPOA members are part of California FOP Lodge 1.

An important note regarding FOP membership for retired PPOA members: Once a sworn PPOA member retires, and he/she wishes to reactivate their FOP member/benefits, the following steps must be taken:

To reactivate your membership as a retired peace officer, you will need to pay FOP annual dues of $40 for 2022. The link below is available to pay online should you wish to expedite the process. If by check, the mailing address is:

LA County FOP Lodge 1

P.O. Box 6919

Buena Park, CA 90622-6919

Credit card link below:

FOP Los Angeles County Lodge 1 (unionly.io)

Please make it a point to check out Washington Watch — a weekly 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.