PPOA Week in Review - April 27, 2024

DEPUTY ALFREDO FLORES

End of Watch: April 20, 2024

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Alfredo Flores was training with a fellow deputy on October 10, 2023, inside the mobile shooting range at the Pitchess Detention Center when an equipment malfunction ignited a fire. Both deputies suffered severe burns before being rescued by fellow deputies and transported to a local hospital.

After a valiant months-long fight for his life, Deputy Flores succumbed to his injuries on April 20, 2024. He is survived by his wife and children.

PPOA extends our heartfelt condolences to the Flores family and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers at this extremely difficult time.

Meet and Confer re: Aero Bureau

April 22: Representatives from PPOA and Aero Bureau resumed negotiations regarding the changes in working conditions for PPOA members assigned to that unit. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled in the near future.

Meeting participants from PPOA included President Steve Johnson, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and union legal counsel.

Informational Meeting re: Sheriff's Online Report Tracking System

April 23: PPOA President Steve Johnson and Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. met with LASD executives and staff regarding proposed criminal reports to be added to the Sheriff's Online Report Tracking System (SORTS.) A follow-up informational meeting is expected to be scheduled.

Meet and Confer re: Proposed MPP Revisions

April 23: PPOA representatives met with LASD executives to discuss proposed Manual of Policy and Procedure (MPP) revisions regarding Grooming and Dress Standards. A follow up meeting will be scheduled. Meeting participants from PPOA included President Steve Johnson, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and union legal counsel.

Meet and Confer re: Proposed Nepotism Policy

April 23: PPOA representatives met with LASD executives to discuss the proposed addition of a nepotism policy. A follow up meeting will be scheduled. Meeting participants from PPOA included President Steve Johnson, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and union legal counsel.

Former LASD Constitutional Policing Advisor Charged with 11 Felonies re: Unauthorized Use of Data from Confidential Files

April 24: California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the filing of charges against Diana Teran, former LASD, OIG, and Public Defender's Office employee, and the current Assistant District Attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s (LADA) Office. The California Department of Justice charged Teran with 11 felony violations of Penal Code section 502, subdivision (c)(2), alleging repeated and unauthorized use of data from confidential, statutorily-protected peace officer files. Click here to view the Complaint for Arrest Warrant.

PPOA will be closely monitoring this matter and will update the membership as more information becomes available.

Support for Health and Fitness at County Services Bureau

April 24: PPOA was proud to deliver an elliptical machine to County Services Bureau for use in their staff gym. In a continuing effort to support health and fitness for members, PPOA's Star & Shield Foundation teams up with Discount Fitness in Bellflower to secure a limited number of treadmills and ellipticals for employee gyms at facilities throughout the County. The refurbished, high-end commercial machines are purchased by the Foundation at discounted pricing and delivered by PPOA to select units where union members have an expressed need for exercise equipment.

To date in 2024, we've delivered equipment to four units and four additional units are on the waiting list for treadmills. Fulfilling these remaining requests will max out the budget for this PPOA program for the year, but please know that we've arranged for Discount Fitness to extend special pricing to PPOA members interested in purchasing fitness equipment for staff gyms or personal use. For more info, call Discount Fitness at (562) 531-7767 and tell them you're a member of the Professional Peace Officers Association.

Meet and Confer re: Proposed MPP Revision

April 25: PPOA participated in a follow-up Meet and Confer regarding proposed revisions to the MPP, Employee Groups which Violate Rights of Other Employees and Members of the Public. President Steve Johnson, Executive Wayne Quint Jr. and union legal counsel represented PPOA at this meeting. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled.

Professional Peace Officers Insurance Agency Meeting

April 25: The Professional Peace Officers Insurance Agency (PPOIA) Board of Directors meeting took place on Thursday. Board participants included PPOIA President/Sr. Criminalist Christopher Lee, Vice President/Sergeant Jose Rios, Secretary/Custody Assistant Cynthia Murphy, Treasurer/Senior Criminalist Ryan Forte, Lieutenant Steve Johnson, Captain Roel Garcia, and Security Officer Henry Jimenez. PPOIA Directors are responsible for overseeing insurance products for members and establishing best business practices for the insurance agency.

PPOA Requests Investigation Into Potential Illegal Access to Members' Confidential Files

April 26: PPOA sent an email to members to inform them we directed our union legal counsel to send a letter to Sheriff Luna requesting that the Sheriff's Department immediately launch its own investigation into potential illegal access to confidential files of PPOA members and other LASD employees.

This action is in response to California Attorney General Rob Bonta filing of charges on April 24th against Diana Teran, former LASD, OIG, and Public Defender's Office employee, and the current Assistant District Attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s (LADA) Office. The California Department of Justice charged Teran with 11 felony violations of Penal Code section 502, subdivision (c)(2), alleging repeated and unauthorized use of data from confidential, statutorily-protected peace officer files.

Hurry! Book Your Spot for 24th Annual PPOA Fishing Trip

PPOA members (plus one guest each) are invited to set sail for a day of fishing along the Southern California coast. Please join us on Friday, July 19, 2024. Members will need to be onboard the 85-foot Enterprise in Long Beach by 5:30AM for a full day of fun. Click here for more details.

Chartering that boat is a tradition PPOA has maintained for the last 23 years and we've enjoyed casting our lines with hundreds of members during those trips out to sea.

The cost is $53 per PPOA member (+1 guest at $53 each.) PPOA will cover the cost of coffee and lunch for everyone. Reservations are first come, first served and we have a very limited number of spots available. Please contact Shannon at PPOA (323) 261-3010 or sschreck@ppoa.com to reserve your seat on the boat as soon as possible.

LA County Fair Discount Tickets Available to Members

The Los Angeles County Fair kicks off next week and PPOA has discount tickets available for members! Visit PPOA.com for tickets and details.

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 374,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges nationwide. All active PPOA members are part of California FOP Lodge 1.

Important update re: 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 2024. To do so, please send an email to the FOP Lodge 1 Secretary at 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.