California State Public Health Order re: Vaccination Mandates at Correctional Facilities and Detention Centers
PPOA participated in an informational meeting on Tuesday (10/12/21) to discuss the California Department of Public Health order that mandates vaccinations for personnel who "could be exposed to infectious agents" in a hospital, clinic or licensed bed area of a jail or prison. Meeting participants included PPOA President Tab Rhodes, Board Member Nancy Escobedo, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr., union legal counsel along with LASD Custody Division executives, the command staff of Countywide Services Bureau, Employee Relations and CEO representatives.

Information presented from the Department represented the same indecisiveness and lack of planning as seen in the recent Fulgent registration debacle. PPOA has followed up with an information request with numerous questions as well as a written document from the Department outlining the needed “temporary reassignments” of personnel. As of the time of this Week in Review, neither has been provided, and the Department is unilaterally imposing these moves, as soon as tomorrow, Sunday, October 17, 2021. PPOA will be processing grievances to these “reassignments” for any members who request.
COVID-19 Legal Meetings
October 12: 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 (10/14) 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 Board of Directors Meeting
October 13: The monthly PPOA Board of Directors meeting took place on Wednesday. Directors present included: President Rhodes, Vice President Jim Blankenship, Secretary Tony Coleman, Treasurer Robert Maus, and Directors Joel Barnett, Nancy Escobedo, Henry Jimenez, Joyce Kato, Chris Lee, Jose Rios, Tony Romo and Jim Schallert. Collectively, the PPOA board brings more approximately 300 years of county experience to the table. 
Sheriff Discusses Current Issues
October 13: Sheriff Villanueva hosted a Facebook live stream on Wednesday to discuss current issues, including vaccination mandates, LA County Sheriff election candidates, requirements to promote to sergeant and more...

Follow Up Meeting re:
State Public Health Order/Vaccination Mandates
October 14: PPOA President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint met with legal counsel to strategize further actions regarding the state public health order. Following this meeting, PPOA legal counsel notified the County and Department of a recent Temporary Restraining Order in Kern County regarding the impacts on California state prison guards. This follow-up meeting also included a legal discussion regarding the Sheriff's order for all LASD personnel to register in the Fulgent system, the required acknowledgment of default disclaimers to which many members object to, and the privacy issues represented.  

As a result, PPOA counsel presented LASD with confirmation reserving our members' rights to object to the mandate of registering in the Fulgent system. Additionally, this notification objects to the data collection methodology and the required acknowledgment of disclaimers required to register within the Fulgent system under duress/threat of discipline.
Security Officer/Security Assistant Uniform Color Survey
October 14: Surveys were emailed to PPOA members who are Sheriff's Security Officers (SSOs) and Security Assistants (SSAs) as part of a process to determine a potential change in color for uniform shirts. PPOA members have made numerous requests over the years to approach the LASD Uniform Committee with the possibility of replacing the current white shirts. Incidentally, the Department has indicated a color change would likely be approved as long as all security personnel understand they would be responsible for purchasing the new shirts. A preliminary survey last year indicated members were willing to bear that financial responsibility in order to secure a color change. The color preference survey distributed this week is the latest in a long line of steps to help keep this process moving forward. "As most PPOA members know, any potential change like this for department personnel requires a lengthy, involved process and that incurred further delays due to COVID-19," said Board Member/Security Officer Henry Jimenez. "While the latest survey is one step of that process, PPOA is continuing to gauge how members feel about the potential uniform change as we prepare for an eventual presentation to the department uniform committee."

Security Officers and Security Assistants who have not already completed the color preference survey are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. All survey responses are due by 10/20/21. PPOA members will be updated as the progress continues.
Privacy Issues – Consultations with Outside Counsel 
October 15: President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint consulted with outside counsel, initiating further research into the privacy concerns of members relating to the information required to register within the Fulgent system. PPOA continues to explore any/all potential legal issues which may lead to a successful challenge to the draconian COVID-19 Vaccination Executive Order.
New Issue of Star & Shield Magazine Hits Mailboxes
The October issue of Star & Shield magazine arrived in mailboxes this week. Inside, you'll find: 
  • CHOICES Open Enrollment Information
  • Pitfalls of Public Employee Pension Reform
  • PPOA Board Candidate Statements
  • and more!
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 10/22/21:
(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. 

STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR UNION
DOWNLOAD THE PPOA APP
‌