Former Board Member Mr. Romo suddenly, and without notice, resigned from his Board seat effective May 26, 2023, well before the expiration of his term in 2024. On May 25, 2023, at the PPOA Delegates meeting, he verbally made certain allegations about why he resigned, followed by an email to all sergeants and lieutenants in the Department repeating the same allegations about why he resigned from the Board. As a result, PPOA President Nancy Escobedo contacted the membership and requested anyone with questions or concerns to contact her directly. Additionally, the membership was invited to attend the regularly scheduled June 14, 2023, Board of Directors meeting, where there will be a full discussion regarding Mr. Romo's allegations.
Before we address the array of topics brought forth by Mr. Romo, we want to thank the PPOA members who have contacted President Escobedo over the last seven days. President Escobedo received and has returned seven calls and messages from members requesting clarification. A number of members also reached out to extend their support and we appreciate that. We are also grateful to members who conveyed their interest in getting more involved with PPOA by becoming a union delegate and/or seeking appointment for the Unit 612 board seat vacated by Mr. Romo. That is the very definition of helping your union move forward.
In the email sent to members last week from President Escobedo, she referenced the upcoming PPOA Board of Directors meeting on June 14th and extended an invitation for members to attend. As a reminder, PPOA board meetings take place on the second Wednesday of each month and begin at 9:00 AM. The meetings typically adjourn after 4:00 PM depending on the number of topics on the agenda. Board meetings have always been open to full dues paying PPOA members and that transparency has been a standard at PPOA for 70+ years. If you do plan to attend, please RSVP to info@ppoa.com by June 12th with your full name and employee number so we can verify membership and make every effort to have enough seating available.
We do understand that a mid-week, 7-hour meeting can be a challenge to attend for those with a traditional work schedule and that is, in part, why we wanted to address the following remarks from Mr. Romo ahead of the June 14th board meeting:
Allegation:
"This Union used to belong to the members of the association, it is now run by a select few with the idea that only they know better."
Facts:
PPOA has a 12-member board of directors elected by your respective classification and has always advocated for the needs of the Association.
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Allegation:
"The PPOA Executive Director and PPOA President, refuses to attempt to open our current salary contracts to address hiring difficulties, retention of employees' issues. It is not something we should hope the Sheriff addresses on his own."
Facts:
PPOA negotiated three-year (2022-2025) contracts for ALL PPOA bargaining units. The membership overwhelmingly ratified all respective MOUs. There has been no indication from the County or the Sheriff that they wish to re-open the contract which is the only way PPOA can re-open the contract as it applies to hiring or incentive pay.
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Allegation:
"… vacant 612 Board appointments are made in secrecy instead of open voting in a transparent manner….."
Facts:
The Board voted, consistent with the Bylaws, on the procedure to conduct the vote. All candidates were given an opportunity to address the Board (which they all did). A vote was taken in closed session to allow the Board to freely express their opinions about the candidates. Consistent with the Bylaws, a 2/3rds vote was achieved for the successful candidate. The results of the vote was announced in open session.
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Allegation:
"Changing the policy of keeping audio recordings of PPOA Monthly Board Meetings indefinitely to destroying them after the minutes were approved."
Facts:
The minutes are audio recorded to help the secretary draft the minutes for accuracy. Once the Board votes to approve the written minutes, the audio recordings are no longer needed.
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Allegation:
"The PPOA Board making changes to rules and bylaws to silence members, making it difficult to speak at or be involved or attend Board or Delegate meetings."
Facts:
All members may attend any Board meeting and may become a delegate to attend quarterly scheduled Delegate meetings. The PPOA Board put in meeting rules to allow members to provide their perspectives and allow the Board to conduct the business of the Association.
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Allegation:
"Failing to recognize conflicts of interests on the Board and failing to provide adequate defense representation to members."
Facts:
There have been no conflicts of interest by any Board member that haven't been disclosed and reflected in the minutes. PPOA's defense representation of its members has been stellar, with the utilization of some of the best lawyers in the state.
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Allegation:
“Joining a non-union association (CONTRACT Cities) for a $10,000 membership fee while the current President's husband was a Captain at the Contract Law Unit."
Facts:
PPOA has been a member and an active participant in the California Contract Cities Association since 2006. There is no conflict of interest, as the PPOA President's husband is not on the PPOA Board, nor does he vote on any decisions impacting PPOA. LASD presently provides public safety services to 42 contract cities.
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Allegation:
"Hiring a political lobbyist for the Union while there was a conflict of interest."
Facts:
The potential conflict was brought up by the Board member who recused himself from the vote, and the majority of the Board retained the lobbying firm, which is one of the most respected firms in the state.
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Allegation:
"The Board failed to properly act when former PPOA President Tab Rhodes took a PPOA vehicle out of state and was involved in an auto accident while on a personal vacation."
Facts:
The Board thoroughly reviewed the issue and facts and concluded that there was no wrongdoing by the then President since there was no policy or prohibition to travel out of state with the PPOA vehicle at that time.
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Allegation:
"Authorizing former PPOA President's Tab Rhodes' appreciation dinner (retirement party) for $5000 at Ruth's Chris Restaurant. Meanwhile providing limited help, delaying assistance, refusing to aid members and department members in need because the Association does not have enough money to help."
Facts:
Every departing President of PPOA has been given a retirement dinner and/or gift to thank them for their dedicated service to the membership. The Dinner at Ruth Chris has not and will not take place at the request of former PPOA President Rhodes. As to not giving enough assistance, PPOA and our PPOA Star and Shield Foundation have generously donated significant contributions to charities, department members, PPOA members, and their families in their time of need.
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Allegation:
"Allowing Rhodes to be a member of PPOA Insurance Agency Board even after he retired from the department and resigned his PPOA Board seat."
Facts:
Retired members are entitled to be members of the Insurance agency if they are duly appointed by that Board.
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Allegation:
"The majority of the PPOA Board believes the majority of members do not care and will not get involved in correcting these issues…."
Facts:
The PPOA Board adamantly refutes that assertion. The Board has been overwhelming elected by the membership and spends every day advocating and protecting the interests of their members.
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Mr. Romo is entitled to his opinions, and we acknowledge his years of service on the Board. However, as will be further discussed at the June Board meeting, PPOA remains among the best law enforcement labor Associations in the state as reflected by their unyielding and consistent representation of their membership.
If any PPOA member has further questions or concerns, please contact President Escobedo at (323) 261-3010 or nescobedo@ppoa.com.
Sincerely,
Your PPOA Board of Directors
