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Dear PPOA Members:
As we reflect on a year unlike any other in PPOA's 70-year history, I want to thank the many PPOA members who stepped up to help this union move forward in 2020. Despite the seemingly never-ending barrage of challenges, it was a productive year (see recap below) due to the diligent work of our members. From committee members to board members to delegates, your participation is acknowledged and appreciated.
On behalf of the PPOA board of directors, I wish you all the best for 2021.
Sincerely,
Tab Rhodes
PPOA President
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PPOA welcomed 263 new members in 2020
and is now 9,023 members strong
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Mourning Loss of Custody Assistant Felipe Leal
Custody Assistant and PPOA delegate Felipe “Flip” Leal passed away unexpectedly in January while off duty. Flip was a dedicated PPOA delegate, 21-year LASD veteran and a warm, soft-spoken friend to many on the Department. PPOA’s Star & Shield Foundation was honored to provide support to the Leal family and proudly grilled lunch for fundraising events at two Sheriff ’s stations where Flip had been assigned.
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PPOA Issues ‘Cease and Desist’ to County re: Pay Error to Coroner Investigators
After the County overpaid Coroner Investigators in error for what turned out to be MANY years, the Auditor-Controller sent a letter to impacted employees in January 2020 in an apparent attempt to induce the employees to authorize a repayment schedule that was not agreed to by PPOA. Members were immediately notified by PPOA to refrain from signing the letter and a cease-and-desist letter was sent to the County. Meetings over the following months between PPOA and County executives eventually resolved the overpayment issue.
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Dedication of LA County DA Leadership Library
The new DA Leadership Library at the Hall of Justice opened with a ribbon-cutting dedication in February. Made possible through donations from PPOA and ALADS, the library serves as an invaluable resource for present and future leaders in the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office.
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PPOA Supports LASD Personnel at Civil Response Training
PPOA was proud to team up with ALADS to provide a freshly grilled lunch for approximately 700 LASD Court Services Division personnel during their civil response training. This event was held at the Irwindale Speedway.
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PPOA Delegates Meeting in Burbank
PPOA delegates from units throughout the county gathered with union Board and staff members in Burbank in February for the first delegates meeting of the year. Topics of discussion included endorsements, training, committees and more
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PPOA Donates New Exercise Equipment to Crime Lab
In early March, PPOA was proud to donate and deliver a new elliptical machine to the employee gym at the LASD Crime Lab. In an effort to prioritize the health and fitness of PPOA members, for the last two years the PPOA Board has budgeted money for the Star & Shield Foundation to purchase gym equipment for employee unit gyms in need.
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Passing of Sergeant Matthew Seier
Sergeant Matthew Seier died on March 14, following a battle with cancer. Shortly after his passing, PPOA’s Star & Shield Foundation was honored to deliver financial support to the Seier family.
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PPOA Launches Comprehensive COVID-19 Resource Site
In mid-March, the rapid onset and proliferation of the coronavirus required PPOA members to adapt to a number of policy changes and new workplace guidelines. As the United States catapulted to the global epicenter for the virus, PPOA launched a comprehensive resource website for COVID-19 updates geared toward PPOA members. Visit PPOA.com for details.
Since mid-March, PPOA President Tab Rhodes has also joined staff members and PPOA legal counsel for weekly meetings to address the impact of COVID-19 on PPOA members. PPOA representatives have also met numerous times with executives from the Sheriff's Department, the District Attorney's Office and the Medical Examiner-Coroner to ensure the rights and safety of PPOA members are prioritized.
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PPOA Begins Pandemic Supply Distribution Countywide
In early April, PPOA received a donation of thousands of medical masks from Yi Li, president of Renogy, with coordination from Assemblymember Phillip Chen. After expressing gratitude for their generosity and concern for first responders, PPOA began distributing the masks, along with sanitizer purchased by PPOA and other supplies, to units throughout the county.
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PPOA and LASD Reach Agreement on Dual Track Career Path
After almost a year of conversations and negotiations, PPOA and the Sheriff's Department finalized an agreement in April to eliminate future use of the Dual Track career path, while protecting, through amendment to the MOU, the promotional rights of 51 existing Dual Track Sergeants and Lieutenants. This agreement, in effect through the term of the existing MOU, was the culmination of numerous meetings with PPOA members, the County, the Department and legal counsel. Thankfully, it ensures that the remaining 51 Dual Track Sergeants and Lieutenants will have the opportunity to participate in future promotional examinations, the same as their peers throughout the Department.
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PPOA Board Member Addresses Media on County Financial Concerns
PPOA joined other L.A. County and City unions in May for a press conference at Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes. The gathering was arranged to draw attention to the need for federal reimbursement funds to the state of California, Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles to offset lost revenue and costs of the COVID-19 crisis. Custody Assistant/PPOA Executive Board member Tony Coleman was among the featured speakers.
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Passing of Sheriff’s Security Assistant Anthony Hopkins
Sheriff ’s Security Assistant Anthony Hopkins died on May 19 following a courageous battle with cancer. The 17-year LASD veteran was assigned to Pasadena Courthouse and was a valued member of PPOA for his entire career. Shortly after his passing, PPOA’s Star & Shield Foundation was honored to deliver support to the Hopkins family in their time of need.
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Civil Unrest Leads to Emergency Schedules for LASD Personnel
Personnel assigned to all patrol stations, County Services Bureau, Transit Services Bureau and Metrolink Bureau had their regular days off and vacations canceled and were ordered to work 12/12 emergency schedules as a result of the protest demonstrations and civil unrest across Los Angeles County. This movement, sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd while being arrested by Minneapolis police officers resulted in massive demonstrations and protests across the nation. The politics and outcry of social justice advocates has put pressure on elected officials throughout the country to enact police reform, empower civilian review boards and defund law enforcement agencies. In Los Angeles County, severe budget cuts and the election of reform-minded leaders will impact first responders for years, and likely decades to come.
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Budget Shortfalls, Job Curtailments and Potential Job Fair
On June 9, PPOA and ALADS met with LASD representatives to discuss the Department’s concept of increasing the Cadre of Relief Personnel (CARP) program and the reintroduction of the Temporary Overtime Reduction Assignment (TORA) process, to address anticipated budget shortfalls in the upcoming fiscal year 2020–21. This followed a cease-and-desist filed by PPOA in May after Sheriff Villanueva suggested the need to close Marina del Rey and Altadena stations, among other units. Further, in late June, the Board of Supervisors conducted a special budget meeting as the Sheriff ’s Department faced the reality of $162 million in budget cuts.
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Passing of Sheriff’s Security Officer Lino Flores
The unexpected off-duty passing of Sheriff ’s Security Officer Lino Flores on June 15 was heartbreaking news for his family and countless friends from the Sheriff ’s Department. Officer Flores was 48 years old and assigned to the Hall of Administration. PPOA representatives were honored to visit the Flores family, offer their condolences and provide financial assistance from the Star & Shield Foundation.
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LAC+USC Medical Center Pulls Plug on Contract With LASD
The L.A. County Department of Health Services elected not to renew the contract for LASD personnel managing the LAC+USC Medical Center Dispatch Center and providing public safety to the hospital. The contract ended on June 30 and impacted numerous Sheriff ’s Security Officers and Law Enforcement Technicians. PPOA immediately arranged a meet-and-confer with LASD representatives to ensure the rights of PPOA members were protected.
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Exercise Equipment Donated/Delivered to Deputy Shayne York Memorial Gym
PPOA was proud to donate and deliver a new elliptical machine to the Deputy Shayne York Memorial Gym at Pitchess Detention Center
in June. In an effort to prioritize the health and fitness of PPOA members, for the last two years the PPOA Board has budgeted money for the Star & Shield Foundation to purchase gym equipment for employee unit gyms in need.
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PPOA Helps Guide Members Through TORA Process
The day after a side letter agreement was reached between PPOA and LASD to address procedural components of the Temporary Overtime Reduction Assignment (TORA) process, PPOA representatives were at STARS Center to help guide members through the TORA process while ensuring that all facets of the side letter agreement were followed.
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PPOA Awards College Scholarships
PPOA awarded scholarships to 17 very deserving college students in July. This association has been honored to contribute more than $100,000 toward the educational goals of PPOA members and their children/dependents since the inception of the scholarship program nearly a decade ago.
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PPOA Addresses County Supervisors Regarding Ballot Measure to Defund Public Safety
More than a dozen PPOA members volunteered to join President Tab Rhodes in speaking to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors during the online public comment session of the weekly hearing. This marked the third time in July that President Rhodes addressed the supervisors in an effort to convince them that their proposed ballot measure to redistribute funds away from law enforcement was short-sighted and dangerous. L.A. County voters eventually passed Measure J in November, even after a well-fought collaborative opposition campaign by numerous labor organizations of the County including the Los Angeles County Coalition of Unions and the Los Angeles County Federation of Unions. The passing of Measure J permanently diverts nearly $500 million away from essential workers and critical public services as well as represents a deviation of funding from unionized employment, instead financing social programs at the control of Community Based Organizations with little to no existing oversight or accountability.
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Members Embark on 20th Annual PPOA Fishing Trip
Dozens of seaworthy (give or take a few) PPOA members and their guests set off for a day of fishing near Catalina Island. Chartering the boat is a tradition PPOA has maintained for the last two decades.
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Passing of Sergeant Eric Johnson
Sergeant Eric Johnson passed away on August 14 from a sudden, critical illness. The 31-year LASD veteran was assigned to Compton Station at the time of his passing and is survived by his wife and son. Shortly after his passing, PPOA’s Star & Shield Foundation was honored to deliver financial assistance to the Johnson family in their time of need.
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Fierce Lobbying Results in Crucial Legislative Victory
PPOA members and public safety personnel throughout the state earned a crucial legislative victory in August. Senate Bill 731 would have created a decertification process in which an officer’s POST certificate could be revoked. The bill also sought to remove qualified immunity for peace officers. Fierce lobbying from PPOA and a broad coalition of labor organizations and law enforcement associations helped convince legislators not to consider passage of the bill on the final day of the legislative session.
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Support for Members During Extensive Warrant Operation
PPOA was proud to partner with ALADS in providing lunch for personnel from Community Partnerships Bureau during an extensive, multi-day search warrant operation in Chatsworth.
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No “Workforce Reduction” — No Layoffs for LASD
On September 1, L.A. County Department of Human Resources officially notified the Sheriff ’s Department that “a workforce reduction will not be required” as previously believed. Translation: no layoffs. This optimal outcome was the direct result of the collaboration and coalition of labor organizations of which PPOA is a member — providing much-needed political support for our arguments against further defunding of the Department and member layoffs.
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Clean Sweep for PPOA-Endorsed Candidates in LACERA Elections
PPOA members helped propel all three PPOA-endorsed candidates to election victories for the LACERA Board of Retirement and Board of Investments. Les Robbins (LASD ret./PPOA member), Joe Kelly (retired L.A. County Treasurer) and David Green (SEIU vice president) are committed to protecting pensions and health care for L.A. County public employees.
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Retirement of PPOA Board Member Jody Clounch
On September 15, Security Officer and PPOA Board member Jody Clounch retired after 20 years of dedicated service to the Sheriff ’s Department. Jody was one of PPOA’s most dedicated Board members since being elected to represent Sheriff ’s Security Officers and Sheriff ’s Security Assistants in 2013.
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PPOA Delegates Address Workplace Issues During Zoom Meeting
PPOA hosted a Zoom video conference meeting for delegates on September 17. Approximately 50 members participated, with topics of discussion including COVID-19, County budget issues, Measure J, contract negotiations and more.
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PPOA Board Election Ballots Mailed to LASD Lieutenants, Sergeants and Custody Assistants
PPOA Board election ballots and candidate statements were mailed to eligible members in late October. Five PPOA members were running for two Unit 612 seats for LASD Sergeants/Lieutenants, and two members were running for one Unit 621 seat for Custody Assistants.
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PPOA Begins Curtailment Negotiations With LASD Regarding Parks Bureau and PDC-South
In October, representatives from PPOA, ALADS and the Sheriff’s Department began a series of joint negotiations to address the potential job fair due to expected staffing curtailments at Pitchess Detention Center South and Parks Bureau. PPOA, using information provided by the Department, repeatedly asked “Why is this necessary?” (click here for details in President Rhodes' article in the November issue of Star & Shield magazine.)
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Voters Deal Significant Setbacks to
Public Safety
Election results were far from favorable for public safety in November. Voters in L.A. County passed Measure J, which will defund law enforcement to the tune of nearly $500 million, and elected outspoken reform advocates in District Attorney George Gascón and County Supervisor Holly Mitchell. California voters also rejected Proposition 20, which sought to fix glaring flaws in recent criminal justice reforms. This means criminals convicted of a number of heinous crimes (rape of an unconscious person, trafficking a child for sex, and more) will remain eligible for early release from prison. Voters are inexplicably jeopardizing public safety while crime — particularly homicide — is rising significantly in many cities and counties, including Los Angeles.
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New Board Member Sworn in to Represent Unit 621
During the November Board meeting, Security Officer Henry Jimenez was sworn in to the Board seat previously held by recently retired PPOA Director Jody Clounch. Officer Jimenez is a 20-year LASD veteran who graduated with SO Class #1. He was appointed by the PPOA Board to fill the final year of Clounch’s two-year term after she retired in September.
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PPOA Members Re-Elect Coleman, Romo and Vienna
An official ballot count conducted in November confirmed that PPOA members who are Unit 612 LASD Sergeants and Lieutenants re-elected Lieutenant Ryan Vienna and Sergeant Tony Romo to continue serving as directors of the PPOA Board. The ballot count also confirmed that PPOA members who are Unit 621 LASD Custody Assistants have re-elected Custody Assistant Tony Coleman to continue serving as their Board representative.
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PPOA Launches Steer Clear Holiday Ride Program for Members
The PPOA Steer Clear program offers reimbursements to active members of the Association who use Uber or Lyft between November 26, 2020, and January 1, 2021. Now in its third year, this benefit is intended to help PPOA members celebrate the holidays responsibly and make it home safely.
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Unit 612 Extends Contract with County
The PPOA Board of Directors, led by the Unit 612 Directors representing Sergeants and Lieutenants, unanimously voted to extend the current Unit 612 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County. This one-year extension brings with it an element unavailable to most Americans today: peace of mind. The uncertainty of the economy resulting from numerous factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the budget concerns resulting from criminal justice reform efforts, represent circumstances which made current contract negotiations perilous at best. By solidifying the MOU, potential pay cuts have been averted, sick-time buy-back and uniform allowances will not be compromised, and the protections will be in place through January 31, 2022.
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LASD Parks Bureau Contract Created, Negating Need for Curtailments |
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On December 9th, the Sheriff's Department provided the following update on the status of proposed cuts to the contract with Parks Bureau: "LA County Parks and Recreation were given direction to explore other security options for county parks, and LASD’s Parks Bureau faced elimination. We were able to work with the Director of Parks and Recreation and continue serving our county parks." This update came nearly two months after curtailments were initially proposed.
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Curtailments Delayed at PDC South
The Sheriff's Department announced that it is delaying potential staffing curtailments at PDC-South. The announcement comes nearly two months after the curtailments were initially proposed during a live broadcast of a "Department Conversation with Sheriff Villanueva" in October. During a meeting with LASD executives the following day, PPOA confirmed the Department’s intention to curtail personnel at PDC-South down from 271 to a staffing level of 74. Those plans are now on hold according to the update, which read, in part: "The Department is delaying the curtailment of PDC-South and will continue to monitor expenditures to determine if and when PDC-South will be curtailed."
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LA Community College District Approves New 6-Month Contract with LASD
The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees voted in favor of a new six-month contract with the Sheriff's Department for public safety services. While this is a positive development that prevents a full curtailment of the LASD Community College Bureau (including the real threat of layoffs), the new short-term contract requires a reduction in personnel and services.
Throughout this months-long ordeal, PPOA made it a point to work with all parties involved to minimize the impact of this situation on PPOA members. Our efforts included several 'meet and confers' with department executives, discussions with County Supervisors, and collaborations with our fellow LA County labor organizations — all of which had a significant impact leading to the LACCD Board's decision to approve a six-month contract extension.
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As we bid farewell to 2020, PPOA pays tribute to our fallen brothers and sisters who died in the line of duty in California this year. We will never forget their sacrifice.
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THANK YOU PPOA MEMBERS FOR ANOTHER PRODUCTIVE YEAR.
WE HOPE 2021 IS HEALTHY AND SAFE FOR ALL OF YOU.
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