PPOA Week in Review: Sept. 16, 2023

In Honor and Remembrance

September 11: On this date 22 years ago, our nation endured unspeakable acts of terrorism that claimed the lives of 2,997 Americans. We will always remember the fallen and honor the 343 firefighters, 60 peace officers and countless civilians who died while courageously charging in to save others on that fateful day.

PPOA Welcomes New Custody Assistants

September 11: PPOA representatives met with 15 newly-hired Custody Assistants at Biscailuz Center during their first day of orientation. President Nancy Escobedo, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr., Labor Representatives Dave Ladjevic and Mark Sanchez, and union staff were all on hand to welcome members of C.A. Class #109 to PPOA.

National Police Woman Day

September 12: National Police Woman Day is celebrated each year on September 12th and PPOA is honored to acknowledge women across the nation who serve as dedicated public safety professionals.

PPOA Board of Directors Meeting

September 13: PPOA board members hosted their monthly meeting in San Dimas on Wednesday. Directors in attendance included President Nancy Escobedo, 1st Vice President Jay Chapman, Secretary Christopher Lee, Treasurer Joyce Kato, and Board Members Juan Carlos Calderon, Gerry Garcia, Roel Garcia, Jose Rios, Jose Salgado, and Joe Walker. During the meeting, Efren Martinez (photo) spoke with the PPOA board about his endorsement request and campaign for Assembly District 57, which encompasses the eastern Gateway Cities region and southern San Gabriel Valley.

Support for Children's Advocacy Center

September 14: PPOA — via the Star & Shield Foundation — proudly supports worthy causes, including the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) 9th Annual Gala hosted in Glendora on Thursday evening. President Nancy Escobedo and Executive Board Member Joyce Kato attended the event on behalf of PPOA.

The CAC is a non-profit, charitable agency committed to assisting children who are victims of physical or sexual abuse, or who have witnessed acts of violence, as well as providing these services to people of any age with developmental disabilities.

Important Update on Medical/Dental Premium Increases

September 15: PPOA sent an email to active members yesterday to remind them about the upcoming increases for medical and dental premiums. New rates negotiated between County representatives and insurance carriers will take effect January 1, 2024. It is important for members to take these increases into consideration as open enrollment will take place October 1, 2023 through October 31, 2023.

As many of you have heard, premiums for 2024 are increasing nationwide and Los Angeles County is no exception. In fact, the new 2024 medical plan rates for County employees will be subject to an average increase of 10.4% more than the 2023 rates. According to a letter sent from the LA County CEO to the Board of Supervisors on 9/12/23, insurance carriers have determined that health plan increases "are anticipated to be required to address projected price inflation, technology advances, plan utilization patters, and cost shifting from public to commercial payers."

For more details, click here to read the email sent by PPOA yesterday.

PPOA Board Elections

September 15: Per PPOA bylaws, nominating petitions from members interested in running for a seat on the Board of Directors had to be submitted to PPOA by close of business (5:00 PM) yesterday. This year, PPOA members in two units will elect board representatives to fill four seats. Please see the incumbent/candidate list below.

Three Unit 612 seats (LASD)

Incumbents:

Sergeant Juan Calderon
Lieutenant Nancy Escobedo (not seeking re-election)
Sergeant Jose Rios

Challengers:

Sergeant Kevin Ahsmus
Sergeant Walter Arcos
Lieutenant Steve Johnson
Sergeant Jesse Lucero
Sergeant Oscar Rodriguez

One Unit 612 seat (LADA)

Incumbent:

Sergeant Jay Chapman

No challengers. Chapman will be automatically re-elected.

One Unit 614 seat (LASD)

Incumbent:

Senior Criminalist Christopher Lee

No challengers. Lee will be automatically re-elected.

One Unit 621 seat* (LASD)

Incumbent:

Security Officer Gerry Garcia

Challenger:

Security Officer Luis Orozco

*This Unit 621 seat is open only to Security Officers and Security Assistants.

One Unit 631/632 seat (MEC)

Incumbent:

Coroner Investigator Joyce Kato

No challengers. Kato will be automatically re-elected.

Candidate statements will be published in the October issue of Star & Shield magazine. Per PPOA bylaws, ballots and statements will be mailed to eligible members on October 21. Please ensure that PPOA has your correct home mailing address. Completed ballots will be due by November 18 and a ballot count will be conducted at PPOA on November 20 at 10:00 AM. Members are invited to observe the ballot count in the PPOA conference center.

Fraternal Order of Police News Update

PPOA members have long benefitted from our affiliation with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the world's largest organization of law enforcement officers, with more than 368,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges nationwide. All active PPOA members are part of California FOP Lodge 1.

Important news regarding FOP membership for retired PPOA members: When a sworn PPOA member retires and wishes to reactivate his/her FOP member benefits, the following step must be taken:

To reactivate your membership as a retired peace officer, you will need to pay FOP annual dues of $40 for 2023. To do so, please send an email to the FOP Lodge 1 Secretary: wmwestermann@sbcglobal.net. Be sure to include your full name and advise you are a retired PPOA member requesting membership with FOP.

Please make it a point to check out Washington Watch — a weekly news 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.

Click here to read this week's Washington Watch.

Upcoming:

PPOA Delegates Meeting

9/21/23

PPOA delegates will gather for the next quarterly meeting on September 21st at Almansor Court in Alhambra. We look forward to welcoming guest speaker and attorney at law, Ron DeLord. The fiery former Texas cop turned labor organizer is respected nationwide for his work to empower police unions and their members. He will speak with PPOA delegates about the impact of the police reform movement and the challenges going forward.

The meeting begins at 5:00 PM. Eligible PPOA delegates should RSVP to info@ppoa.com no later than today with full name and employee number.