PPOA Week in Review: Dec. 16, 2023

— PPOA BOARD UPDATE —

New Directors Sworn In; New President Selected

PPOA sent an email to members earlier this week to report that the following newly-elected union directors were sworn in at the board meeting on Wednesday:

Sergeant Kevin Ahsmuhs
Sergeant Walter Arcos
Lieutenant Steve Johnson
Security Officer Luis Orozco

The PPOA board also selected the following four directors to continue serving in their executive board positions:

First Vice President Jay Chapman
Second Vice President Tony Coleman
Secretary Christopher Lee
Treasurer Joyce Kato

Following the oath of office for all members above, the Board of Directors selected Lieutenant Johnson to serve as PPOA president. He was most recently assigned to East LA Station with past assignments in specialized units such as Internal Affairs and within the Bureau of Labor Relations and Compliance. President Johnson is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He proudly served on active duty in the Air Force for eight years, achieving the rank of Captain. President Johnson also attained his master’s degree in business from USC.

PPOA gratefully acknowledges our outgoing board members Juan Carlos Calderon, Nancy Escobedo, Gerry Garcia, and Jose Rios for their service and commitment to this Association.

PPOA Annual Audit Committee Meeting

December 11: Per the PPOA bylaws, an outside accounting firm conducts an extensive audit at PPOA annually to help the staff and board determine the most efficient course for day-to-day operations of your union. PPOA members are asked to serve on the audit committee, which confers with the auditor to review the findings and confirm the information is accurate. It is an integral part of being transparent as an association and ensures that members play an active role in that process.

We are grateful to the following PPOA members who volunteered to serve on the audit committee this week:

Senior Criminalist Ryan (Gregory) Forte
Civilian Investigator Ben Garcia
Lieutenant (DA) Yvette Hartwell
Retired member Dan Machian
Medical Examiner Investigator Melissa Munoz

Series of Meet and Confers re: Department Policies

December 11: PPOA representatives engaged in a series of Meet and Confers with LASD executives to discuss issues related to the following Department policies:

Employee Groups Violating the Rights of Others
Grooming and Dress Standards
Station and Unit Logos

Meeting participants from PPOA included then-President Nancy Escobedo, Executive Director Wayne Quint jr. and union legal counsel.

Meet and Confer re: Measure R

December 12: PPOA and ALADS continued a Meet and Confer process with LA County representatives to discuss the impacts of Ballot Initiative Measure R, which was voted into law by LA County voters on March 3, 2020. This measure significantly strengthens civilian oversight of the Sheriff's Department.

Meeting participants from PPOA included then-President Nancy Escobedo, Executive Director Wayne Quint jr. and union legal counsel. An additional meeting will be scheduled in early 2024.

The Value of PPOA Membership:

Benefits, Perks and Privileges

As we head into the final weeks of the year, we want to help members understand the value of PPOA membership. This week, we're focusing on a handful of the many benefits enjoyed by thousands of members.

POPA Federal Credit Union

Founded by PPOA members in 1978, the credit union is full-service, nonprofit and member-owned, with more than $350 million in assets and four locations in Los Angeles County.

Free Non-Job Related Legal Advice

A free one-hour consultation with an attorney is available each year for all active, full-dues paying PPOA members.

Annual College Scholarships

Every year, PPOA awards 12 college scholarships worth $13,500 total to members and their children.

Free Insurance Coverage

Active, full-time PPOA members are provided a $2,000 accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance policy and $2,000 life insurance policy (both carried by VOYA Insurance) at no cost.

Legal Defense Plan

Active, full-time PPOA members are provided with defense coverage for civil and criminal legal actions arising in the scope of duties.

Star & Shield Foundation Uniform Store

PPOA members save up to 35% off retail prices for LASD uniforms purchased through PPOA.com.

Free Notary Service

An experienced notary public on staff is available to PPOA members at no charge.

Group Discounts

PPOA members enjoy exclusive discounts for amusement parks, movie theaters and more.

For more details about PPOA benefits, visit PPOA.COM or call (323) 261-3010.

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

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.

Get a Unique Gift and Support a Worthy Cause

Our friends at the Sheriff's Youth Foundation asked us to share details of this fundraiser with PPOA members and we are happy to help with such a worthy cause. Proceeds from every tax deductible purchase of these custom-built skateboards will benefit youth programs in the communities served by PPOA members. Please visit SheriffsYouthFoundation.org for more information.