Baker-to-Vegas Returns After 2-Year Hiatus;
PPOA Hosts Hospitality Suite
April 9-10: PPOA members were among thousands of peace officers running through the Mojave Desert for the first time since 2019. The Baker-to-Vegas Challenge Cup Relay brought together 216 teams from agencies across the nation and a few from around the globe. The 120-mile relay race kicked off on Saturday morning and finished Sunday at the Rio Hotel and Casino, where PPOA was proud to host a hospitality suite. We want to congratulate all runners who competed (click here to see unofficial race results) and the invaluable support teams. We're also grateful to everyone who joined PPOA after the race for hospitality and fun.

PPOA representatives in attendance included 1st Vice President Nancy Escobedo, 2nd Vice President Tony Coleman, Board Treasurer Joyce Kato, Board Members Joel Barnett and Tony Romo, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and PPOA staff.
LA County Unions United Meeting
April 11: PPOA President Tab Rhodes joined fellow County labor leaders for a Unions United meeting on Monday. Topics of discussion included news conference planning and preparation of talking points for upcoming meetings with the LA County Board Supervisors.

Unions United representatives held the aforementioned news conference the next day against the backdrop of a Los Angeles gas station to draw attention to the fact that the inflation rate hit 8.5% this week — the highest peak in 41 years! Click here to see news coverage of this press event.
Meeting to Discuss COVID-19 Legal Issues
April 12: PPOA representatives hosted their weekly teleconference on Tuesday to continue discussions about COVID-19 and its impact on PPOA members.

Meeting participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint, Senior Labor Rep. Venise Wallace, Labor Rep. Teresa O'Neil, Intake Rep. Kevin Thompson and PPOA legal counsel.
Unions United Meeting with County Supervisor Holly Mitchell
April 12: PPOA and numerous County Unions sent representatives to a meeting with County Supervisor Holly Mitchell on Tuesday. Discussions were centered on the economic impacts of the highest inflation rate since 1981, the current 8.5% CPI, the skyrocketing price of a gallon of gas and more. PPOA was represented by President Rhodes for this meeting.
PPOA Board of Directors Meeting
April 13: PPOA's monthly Board of Directors meeting took place in San Dimas on Wednesday. Directors participating included President Tab Rhodes, 1st Vice President Nancy Escobedo, 2nd Vice President Tony Coleman, Treasurer Joyce Kato, and Board Members Joel Barnett, Jim Blankenship, Jay Chapman, Gerry Garcia, Chris Lee and Tony Romo. Collectively, the PPOA board brings approximately 300 years of County experience to the table. 
PPOA Endorses Retired Commander Eli Vera for Sheriff
April 13: PPOA announced on Wednesday that it is officially endorsing retired LASD Commander Eli Vera in his bid to be the next Sheriff of Los Angeles County. PPOA went through an exhaustive process to come to this decision, including:
 
  • Establishing a Sheriff Election Committee consisting of 12 PPOA Board Members and Delegates
  • Co-Hosting a candidates forum with ALADS on January 26, 2022
  • Hosting candidate interviews on February 4-7, 2022 
  • Conducting a survey of membership in March 2022, and
  • An extensive vetting of the candidates by the Sheriff Election Committee
 
At the monthly Board meeting, PPOA Directors reviewed the work and efforts of the Sheriff Election Committee, and had lengthy discussions about the leadership qualities of all seven candidates who sought the endorsement of PPOA. All Board Members participated in the dialogue which allowed an exchange on topics including the positives and negatives of each candidate, endorsements, election scenarios, and impacts on PPOA membership.
 
After considering all the criteria above, the Board came to a collective decision. "I want to thank all seven candidates for participating in PPOA's endorsement process, as well as the Sheriff Election Committee for their objective analysis," said PPOA President Tab Rhodes. "Ultimately, the Board of Directors decided to endorse retired Commander Eli Vera, who represents the experience, temperament, and skills needed to lead the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department."
Sheriff Delivers Ultimatum on MTA Policing Contract
April 13: Sheriff Villanueva held a press conference on Wednesday to express concerns about the "unsafe environment" on the Metro Transit System and announce that the Sheriff's Department intends to bid for the complete MTA contract to be the sole provider for public safety services. Currently, the Sheriff's Department shares that contract with LAPD and Long Beach PD. The Sheriff stated that if the LASD bid for the complete contract is denied, Department personnel assigned to MTA will be deployed elsewhere in the County to fulfill staffing vacancies.
California Peace Officer Memorial Foundation Meeting
April 14: Representatives of the California Peace Officers Memorial Foundation (CPOMF), including PPOA Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. — who also serves as Executive Director for CPOMF — met for their monthly board meeting. Discussions centered on finalizing details for the 2022 memorial ceremonies to be held on May 1st and 2nd at the State Capitol.

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 and 2021 ceremonies were cancelled and all fallen officers who were to be honored at those ceremonies are now scheduled to be memorialized at the 2022 ceremony (click here for list of honorees.)
 
For more information about CPOMF, visit CAMemorial.org
Meet and Confer re: County Services Bureau Vacancies / Job Fair
April 14: PPOA representatives met with Department executives for a Meet and Confer re: vacancies at County Services Bureau and a pending job fair. Participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Board Member Garcia, Sr. Labor Rep. Wallace and Labor Rep. O'Neil.
Unions United Meeting with County Supervisor Hilda Solis
April 14: PPOA and numerous County Unions sent representatives to a meeting with County Supervisor Hilda Solis on Thursday. Discussions were centered on the economic impacts of the highest inflation rate since 1981, the current 8.5% CPI, the skyrocketing price of a gallon of gas and more. PPOA was represented by President Rhodes for this meeting.
Unit 612 Salary Contract Negotiations
April 14: The PPOA Unit 612 Salary Contract Negotiations team met with County representatives on Thursday via video conference to continue negotiations for a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The current contract for Sergeants and Lieutenants from the Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's Office expired on January 31, 2022. This was the 9th round of negotiations for this contract. 
PPOA 2022 Scholarship Applications Available Online
PPOA is once again proud to offer college scholarships to help further the education of PPOA members and their sons/daughters. Since the inception of this scholarship program, PPOA has been honored to contribute approximately $100,000 toward the educational goals of our members and dependents. Eligibility is limited to active, full dues-paying PPOA members and the biological children, stepchildren or adopted children of active full dues-paying PPOA members or retired PPOA members who were paying full dues prior to retired membership. Application deadline is May 13, 2022 at 5:00 pm.

Visit PPOA.COM for applications and details.
Raffle Tickets Available for 6 Ft. Tall Gun Safe
PPOA will be raffling off an impressive 6-foot tall Liberty gun safe and all proceeds will benefit the Star & Shield Foundation. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Peace Officer Memorial Golf Tournament on June 6th. Winner need not be present.

To purchase tickets, please call PPOA at (323) 261-3010.
Fraternal Order of Police
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, which represents public safety organizations throughout LA County and operates under the capable leadership of former PPOA President Roger Mayberry. Click here to read the latest weekly news update from the California FOP.

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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