UPDATES re: Fulgent and Vaccination Mandates
In keeping with our commitment to provide the most current and accurate information to our membership, PPOA hosted a ZOOM meeting with members on Thursday evening. This meeting included information from the previous day's meeting with Fulgent and County representatives as well as provided a question and answer session with President Tab Rhodes, Vice President Jim Blankenship, and legal counsel Jim Cunningham. In addition to the Fulgent information being discussed, questions regarding the “exemption” process were posed. Having only received information from PPOA members, of the Sheriff Department’s intentions, PPOA has requested Meet and Confer negotiations on impacts with the Sheriff’s Department as well as the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and Department of Medical Examiner- Coroner.

The next day, PPOA sent an email to all active members to provide further updates regarding Fulgent Genetics, including information gathered from the above-referenced meeting between Fulgent representatives, County executives and leaders from the Coalition of County Unions. Participants from PPOA included President Rhodes and Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr.
PPOA Welcomes New Custody Assistants
October 18: PPOA representatives were proud to meet with nine new Custody Assistants during their orientation at Biscailuz Center on Monday morning. Albeit a small one, this was the first class of new CAs since the pandemic took hold more than 18 months ago. Participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Executive Board Member Tony Coleman, Executive Director Quint and union staff.
PPOA Welcomes New Sergeants
October 18: PPOA representatives were proud to meet with 35 new members at Sergeant Supervisory School at Biscailuz Center on Monday. This was the second of three classes from the 90+ recently-promoted Sergeants who attended orientation in September. Participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint and union staff.

The third and final class of this group of new Sergeants is expected to take place next month.
LA County Federation 'House of Labor'
October 18: PPOA representatives joined fellow LA County Federation of Labor members on Monday evening for the monthly "House of Labor" teleconference. Discussions were centered on the many issues impacting union members, including COVID-19, the vaccination mandate for County employees and more. Meeting participants from PPOA included President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint.

The County Fed is comprised of more than 300 unions and labor organizations, representing more than 800,000 members.
COVID-19 Legal Meetings
October 19: On Tuesday, PPOA hosted the first of two legal meetings this week in order for President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint, Senior Labor Rep. Venise Wallace, Labor Rep. Teresa O'Neil, Intake Rep. Kevin Thompson and PPOA attorneys to address and analyze COVID-19 issues impacting PPOA members. All parties met again on Thursday (10/21) for further discussions. PPOA representatives now meet twice a week to stay current in all aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related negotiations. This dedication of PPOA resources will continue to supplement and enhance the efforts of the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) to negotiate reasonable terms as well as mitigate impacts on PPOA membership regarding this issue.
PPOA/Custody Labor Management Committee Meeting
October 19: PPOA participated in the monthly Custody Labor Management Committee (LMC) teleconference with Employee Relations, Assistant Sheriff Corbett and his command staff to discuss issues impacting PPOA members assigned to Custody Division. Specific topics addressed included the reopening of the application process for Custody Assistants (CAs), vacancies in Custody — per each facility and patrol station, COVID-19 updates and employee access to gyms throughout Custody Division. Meeting participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Board Secretary Coleman and Executive Director Quint.
Meet and Confer re: Transcript Requirements for Lieutenant Applicants
October 19: PPOA took part in a meet and confer regarding transcript requirements for lieutenant test applicants. This was a follow-up to the meeting that took place on September 21st and was centered on the previous two exams as well as future promotional examinations. Meeting participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Board Member Nancy Escobedo, Executive Director Quint and union legal counsel. An additional follow-up meeting is expected to occur very soon and will include discussions about transcripts used for Sergeant examinations.

Background: In the PPOA Week in Review dated September 4th, PPOA communicated the Department’s notification to numerous lieutenant test applicants of the requirement of “official transcripts” to validate educational diplomas/certificates submitted during the promotional exam process. PPOA had objected to this change in advance of this notification and filed a Cease and Desist letter (click to read) with the Department, demanding the end of this new requirement and a Meet and Confer to address these changes to working conditions of our members. Additionally, conversations with the Department during the second week of September led to a successful effort resulting in an extension (click to read) to this transcript requirement. 

Updates will be provided to those impacted, following further developments. 
Star & Shield Foundation Board Meeting
October 20: Board members of PPOA's Star & Shield Foundation took part in a teleconference on Wednesday. Since its inception in 2001, the Foundation has proudly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support worthy causes, including its most important mission: providing assistance to the families of fallen officers. Meeting participants included President Rhodes and Members-at-Large Juan Carlos Calderon and Kevin Thompson.
Sheriff Discusses Current Issues
October 20: Sheriff Villanueva hosted a Facebook live stream on Wednesday to discuss current issues, including the LA County Board of Supervisors, the newly-authorized Stetson hat for deputies, vaccination mandates and more...

Ballots Mailed to PPOA Members
October 21: Ballots for board elections and proposed by-law amendments were delivered to the post office on Thursday. Per PPOA by-laws, completed ballots are due by November 18th and a ballot count will be conducted in the PPOA conference center on November 22nd at 10:00AM.
PPOA Members / End of Watch: September 2021
We extend sincere condolences to the families and friends of the following PPOA members who passed in September 2021:

Retired Deputy IV Bernice Riley
EOW: 9/6/21
Academy class 102
LASD retired 1983
Condolences may be sent to her family: forgetmn@msn.com

Retired Sergeant Carlos Casillas
EOW: 9/12/21
US Army veteran
LASD retired 1998

Retired Deputy Bart Natisin
EOW: 9/12/21
Academy class 57
LASD retired 1984
Condolences may be sent to his family: ron.natisin@sbcglobal.net

Retired Sergeant Louis Madrid
EOW: 9/21/21
Academy class 272
LASD retired 2019
Condolences may be sent to his family: melpal2@yahoo.com

Retired Sergeant Miriam Travis
EOW: 9/21/21
LASD retired 1990
Condolences may be sent to her family: leoandleo7@gmail.com
Attention Retired PPOA Members: PLEASE JOIN US!
17TH ANNUAL PPOA RETIREE LUNCHEON
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Sheraton Fairplex
601 W. McKinley Ave, Pomona
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
FREE for retired PPOA members + 1 guest each
RSVP no later than 10/25/21:
(323) 261-3010 or info@ppoa.com
An Exciting Event for an Excellent Cause:
Thank you for supporting the
California Peace Officers' Memorial Foundation
Fraternal Order of Police
PPOA is a longtime member of 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, which represents public safety organizations throughout LA County and operates under the capable leadership of former PPOA President Roger Mayberry. 

Please make it a point to check out the 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. 

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