PPOA Week in Review: Nov. 25, 2023

PPOA's Annual Steer Clear Free Ride Program Kicks Off

PPOA wants to ensure that members make it home safely while celebrating and socializing during the holidays. The PPOA “Steer Clear” program offers reimbursements to active, full members of this association who use Uber or Lyft between November 23, 2023, and January 1, 2024.

This reimbursement offer is limited to one round-trip or two one-way trips not exceeding 30 miles total. Valid for UberX only. Tips not included. Offer limited to active, full dues-paying PPOA members.

If you plan to enjoy adult beverages this season, please do so responsibly. If you’re not in condition to drive safely, make sure to use Uber or Lyft and email your receipt to info@ppoa.com (using your personal non-Department email address) for reimbursement. All receipts must be submitted to PPOA by January 2, 2024.

Meet and Confer re:

Sergeant and Lieutenant Candidate Assignment

November 20: PPOA met with BOLRAC and Personnel Administration Bureau regarding the proposed revision of the Sergeant and Lieutenant candidate assignment forms. President Nancy Escobedo, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and union legal counsel represented PPOA at this meeting.

Another meet and confer will be scheduled.

LA County Federation of Labor 'House of Labor' Meeting

November 20: Los Angeles County Federation of Labor members, including Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr., gathered on Monday evening for the monthly "House of Labor" meeting. These sessions help County union leaders compare notes and consult with each other about the many issues impacting public employees throughout the County.

The County Fed is comprised of more than 300 unions and labor organizations, representing more than 800,000 members.

PPOA Board Election Ballot Count:

Members Elect Ahsmus, Arcos, Johnson and Orozco

November 21: An official ballot count conducted on Tuesday confirmed the following:

PPOA members who are LASD Sergeants and Lieutenants in Unit 612 have elected Sergeant Kevin Ahsmus, Sergeant Walter Arcos, and Lieutenant Steve Johnson to serve as directors on the PPOA board.

PPOA members who are LASD Security Assistants and Security Officers in Unit 621 have elected Security Officer Luis Orozco to serve as a director on the PPOA board.

Final ballot count results are below:

Ahsmus, Arcos, Johnson, and Orozco will be sworn in to 2-year terms at the December 13th board meeting.

The ballot count was conducted by UNILECT, an independent election firm. Special thanks to all PPOA members who took the time to cast a ballot and to the following members who volunteered to serve on today’s election committee and monitor/verify the ballot count:

Investigator Anthony Lopez
Retired Member Abel Moreno
Commander Tania Plunkett
Custody Assistant Christine Rosborough
Custody Assistant Eddie Smith
Custody Assistant Sue Tupper

Meet and Confer re: CSB 2024 Vacation Sign-Ups

November 21: PPOA met with BOLRAC and representatives from County Services Bureau (CSB) regarding the proposed changing of the current vacation selection process by reducing the number of persons allowed off for vacation per week. President Nancy Escobedo, Board Member/Security Officer Gerry Garcia, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr., and union legal counsel represented PPOA at this meeting.

Another meet and confer will be scheduled.

A Day of Gratitude

November 23: PPOA is thankful for each of our 8,600 members and all first responders dedicated to keeping our communities safe. We hope all of you enjoyed a safe and memorable Thanksgiving holiday.

Get a Unique Holiday 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.

Also, coming soon...

The Sheriff’s Youth Foundation will offer a limited-edition Sheriff Signature Series skateboard. The Sheriff Signature Series Skateboard will have a run of 200 skateboards and will be personally signed by all five living LASD Sheriffs.

30th Sheriff, Leroy D. Baca - Dec. 7, 1998 through Jan. 31, 2014
31st Sheriff, John Scott - Jan. 31, 2014 through Dec. 1, 2014
32nd Sheriff, Jim McDonnell - Dec. 1, 2014 through Dec. 3, 2018
33rd Sheriff, Alex Villanueva - Dec. 3, 2018 through Dec. 5, 2022
34th Sheriff, Robert G. Luna - Dec. 5, 2022 through Current

This Limited series will also include a certificate of authenticity to accompany each skateboard. Keep in mind, this is a limited series, and once they’re gone, they’re gone! Skateboard 001 of 200 will be hung in at the Sheriff’s Museum located in the Hall of Justice.

*Pricing for each Sheriff Signature Series Skateboard will be announced at the time of release

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.