PPOA is pleased to report the Los Angeles County Employees Relations Commission (ERCOM) has unanimously ruled in favor of PPOA and set a pending Unfair Labor Practice charge off to a hearing to occur early next year. This case arises from PPOA’s attempt to meet and confer over unilateral changes to the training requirements at Aero Bureau. PPOA began negotiations on December 30th, 2022, and met with representatives from Aero Bureau and the Sheriff's Department on three occasions before it was determined that the Aero Bureau’s Chief (Ewell) was not interested in negotiating any issues regarding the then-existing manual that specified the training and advancement protocol. PPOA filed an Unfair Labor Practice claim against the Aero Bureau and the Department and after oral argument on October 23, 2023, the ERCOM Board ordered this matter to a hearing.

November 15: Family members and friends of 21 recruits in Sheriff's Security Officer Class 59 packed the gym at STARS Center for the graduation ceremony this week. President Nancy Escobedo was honored to represent PPOA at this event.

November 15: The monthly Board of Directors meeting for the Star & Shield Foundation was hosted on Wednesday. The Foundation was established by PPOA members in 2001 and has proudly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy organizations and causes — including its most important mission to provide support for families of fallen officers.

November 15: LA County labor leaders hosted their monthly Coalition of County Unions (CCU) meeting to discuss the many challenges and issues impacting County employees. PPOA was represented by Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr, who participated via conference call. 

November 15: The Professional Peace Officers Insurance Agency (PPOIA) Board of Directors meeting took place on Wednesday. Board participants included PPOIA President/Sr. Criminalist Christopher Lee, Vice President/Sergeant Jose Rios, Treasurer/Lieutenant Geoff Chadwick, PPOA President Nancy Escobedo, Security Officer Henry Jimenez, and Sr. Criminalist Ryan Forte. PPOIA Directors are responsible for overseeing insurance products for members and establishing best business practices for the insurance agency.

November 16: Family, friends and colleagues of Commander Darren Harris (EOW: 11/6/23) gathered for his memorial service in Sun Valley on Thursday. Commander Harris was a 33-year Sheriff's Department veteran and is survived by his wife and three children.

Click here to read the letter from Supervisor Barger, who is married to a retired LASD Deputy and is an ardent supporter of public safety.

November 17: PPOA sent a letter to LA County District Attorney George Gascón yesterday to express very serious concerns regarding the "further handling of the standing murder conviction of defendant Jesse Gonzalez arising out of the assassination of Deputy Jack Williams in 1979." It is PPOA's understanding that the DA's Office has reopened the matter to have information reviewed that could potentially overturn the conviction and the implementation of the death penalty.

Click here for order form and details. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Schreck: sschreck@ppoa.com or (323) 261-3010.

Details and candidate statements were mailed with the ballots and can also be found in the October 2023 issue of Star & Shield magazine.

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.

Ballots were mailed to eligible members in Units 612 and 621 on 10/20/23