PPOA Week in Review: Dec. 17, 2022

Law Enforcement Technician Allan Melendez

End of Watch: 12/11/22

We were sincerely saddened to learn of the passing of Law Enforcement Technician Allan Melendez during a medical procedure last weekend. The 11-year LASD veteran was assigned to Facility Services Bureau and was only 38 years old.

Memorial services will take place on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills. The viewing is scheduled for 10:00AM followed by a celebration service at 11:00AM.

PPOA extends heartfelt condolences to the Melendez family during this very difficult period.

Support for Heroes and Helpers Shopping Spree

December 10: PPOA was proud to support the Heroes and Helpers Shopping Spree hosted by the National Latino Peace Officers Association, East LA Chapter. This charitable cause provided children in the community with a gift card for a shopping trip to Target, chaperoned by public safety professionals. Board Member Gerry Garcia attended the event on behalf of PPOA.

Meeting re: Security Officers at Community College Bureau

December 12: PPOA representatives met via teleconference with Community College Bureau command staff and scheduling personnel to review and be updated on the mandatory overtime for Security Officers who are assigned to the Bureau. Meeting participants from PPOA included President Nancy Escobedo, Board Member/Security Officer Gerry Garcia, Labor Representative Teresa O’Neil and Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr.

COVID-19 Legal Meeting

December 13: PPOA reps took part in their weekly teleconference to analyze the continued impact of COVID-19 on our union members. Meeting participants included President Nancy Escobedo, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr., Senior Labor Rep. Venise Wallace, Labor Rep. Teresa O'Neil, Intake Rep. Kevin Thompson and PPOA legal counsel.

Click here for Los Angeles County daily COVID-19 data.

PPOA Board Meeting;

Executive Board and Directors Sworn In

December 14: The monthly PPOA Board of Directors meeting was hosted in San Dimas on Wednesday. At that meeting, newly-elected directors Jose Salgado (Unit 612) and Joe Walker (Unit 621) were sworn in along with re-elected directors Joel Barnett (Unit 615), Jay Chapman (Unit 612), Tony Coleman (Unit 621), Tony Romo (Unit 612) and Jim Schallert (Retiree Representative). Board members also set the new executive board for 2023 as follows:

President Nancy Escobedo
1st Vice President Jay Chapman
2nd Vice President Tony Coleman
Secretary Chris Lee
Treasurer Joyce Kato

The board also thanked Jose Rios for the last two years of service to PPOA as a board member and delivered special acknowledgment to Jim Blankenship for his 24 years of service as a board member. Jim is the longest-serving director in the history of this Association and countless members have been positively impacted by his remarkable dedication over the years. The 34-year LASD veteran stepped down from the PPOA board in lieu of his pending (and well-deserved!) retirement.

Meeting with LASD re: Senate Bill 2

December 15: PPOA met via video conference with LASD executives and members of the LASD Senate Bill 2 (SB2) Team, which was formed in September 2022 to aid the Department in reporting serious misconduct to the Commission on California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). This legal reporting requirement is the result of Senate Bill 2, which was signed into law on September 31, 2021. Click here for details about SB2. Beginning January 1, 2023, all California law enforcement agencies will have to report certain events involving peace officers they employ, as specified in 13510.9 PC. PPOA Legal Counsel along with President Escobedo, Executive Director Quint, Sr. Labor Representative Wallace and Labor Representative O’Neil participated in this conference.

PPOA Delegates Appreciation Luncheon

December 15: PPOA acknowledged our dedicated delegates at a luncheon in Altadena. These are your union’s most active members, who volunteer their time to attend meetings throughout the year and help foster communication with the membership. Per tradition, this "Appreciation Luncheon" includes drawings for gifts provided by our law firms and our business partners who are proud to support and represent PPOA members. We are thankful for their generosity and the outstanding commitment of our delegates. Special thanks to the many delegates who helped usher in the holiday spirit with extra festive Christmas sweaters!

PPOA Steer Clear Program for Members

PPOA wants to ensure all members make it home safely while celebrating with family and friends during the holidays. Our annual “Steer Clear” program offers reimbursements to members of this Association who use UBER or LYFT between November 24, 2022 and January 1, 2023. The reimbursement offer is limited to one round-trip or two one-way trips not exceeding 30 miles total. Valid for UberX and Lyft Standard rides 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. And 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-County email address) for reimbursement. Please include your full name and employee number in the email.

We sincerely hope that all PPOA members enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!

Fraternal Order of Police News Update

PPOA members have long benefitted from our longtime affiliation with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the world's largest organization of law enforcement officers, with more than 364,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges nationwide. All active PPOA members are part of California FOP Lodge 1. Click here to read the latest CAFOP news update.

An important note regarding FOP membership for retired PPOA members: Once a sworn PPOA member retires, and he/she wishes to reactivate their FOP member/benefits, the following steps must be taken:

To reactivate your membership as a retired peace officer, you will need to pay FOP annual dues of $40 for 2022. The link below is available to pay online should you wish to expedite the process. If by check, the mailing address is:

LA County FOP Lodge 1

P.O. Box 6919

Buena Park, CA 90622-6919

Credit card link below:

FOP Los Angeles County Lodge 1 (unionly.io)

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

Boxes of Hand Sanitizers Available to PPOA Members

A local warehouse has donated pallets of hand sanitizers to PPOA for distribution to members. If you would like to pick up a box (24 bottles in each), please send an email to rescalante@ppoa.com. Use subject line "sanitizers" and include your full name and phone number.