PPOA Week in Review: May 20, 2023

DEPUTY BRETT HARRIS

Riverside County Sheriff's Office

End of Watch: May 13, 2023

PPOA stands solemnly with the law enforcement community in mourning the line-of-duty death of Riverside Sheriff's Deputy Brett Harris. The 26-year old was responding to a call for back-up when he was involved in a traffic collision in San Jacinto. Deputy Harris was transported to the hospital with critical injuries and passed the following day. He is survived by his wife and parents.

Tragically, Deputy Harris represents the third line-of-duty death for the Riverside County Sheriff's Office in the last five months.

PPOA extends sincere condolences to the Harris family and all of our brothers and sisters with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.

Thousands Pay Tribute to Fallen Officers During National Police Week

Thousands of law enforcement personnel, dignitaries, and supporters gathered in our nation's capitol during National Police Week (May 11-16) to honor the service and sacrifice of officers who lost their lives in the line-of-duty. The impactful and often emotional events associated with National Police Week included:

Police Unity Tour

PPOA and ALADS were both honored to support family members of fallen LASD deputies who were memorialized in Washington DC this week. Both unions sponsored more than 40 Police Unity Tour participants from the Sheriff's Department who cycled from New Jersey to Washington DC in honor of fallen peace officers from across the country. Those riders were warmly received as they arrived at their destination on May 12th after dedicating this year's Police Unity Tour in loving memory of LASD Sergeant Christopher Bracks. Click here to watch video of the ride-in on the final afternoon of the Tour.

35th Annual Candlelight Vigil

Each year, hundreds of names of officers killed in the line of duty are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These names are then read aloud during the annual Candlelight Vigil to memorialize those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This year, 556 officers were honored during the Candlelight Vigil hosted on the National Mall. Click here to watch video of this event.

42nd Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

This emotional service, sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), marks the culmination of National Police Week. It was held on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol and according to the FOP, this year's memorial service was the largest in its 42-year history. Click here to watch video of the Memorial Service.

PPOA President Nancy Escobedo and Board Member Tony Romo represented PPOA in Washington DC to honor the memory of America's fallen heroes, including 10 members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department whose names were added to the national memorial this year:

Sergeant Christopher Bracks (EOW - May 10, 2022)
Deputy Andrew Myers (EOW - October 20, 2021)
Detective Anthony Bautista (EOW - August 18, 2021)
Sergeant Armando Meneses (EOW - February 16, 2021)
Deputy Pedro Romo (EOW - February 14, 2021)
Sergeant Jamie Arakawa (EOW - February 8, 2021)
Deputy Timothy Tellez (EOW - December 22, 2020)
Detective Amber Leist (EOW - January 12, 2020)
Motor Officer John Black (EOW - November 22, 1929)
Motor Officer Morgan Honeycutt (EOW - December 22, 1928)

Meeting with PPOA Members Sergeant Supervisory School

May 15: PPOA representatives met with 35 LASD Sergeants during their first day of Supervisory School at STARS Center to answer questions and discuss their crucial roles on the Department. Participants from PPOA included Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr., Labor Representative Dave Ladjevic, and staff.

Notifications from the Office of Inspector General

May 15: PPOA received confirmation that the County of Los Angeles Office of Inspector General (OIG) sent written notifications to a number of members regarding future participation in interviews to be conducted by the OIG. According to the OIG notifications, the interviews concern the presence of law enforcement gangs in the Sheriff’s Department.

PPOA emailed members in Unit 612 and 615 to inform them our union legal counsel has advised that any member who receives written notification from the OIG should immediately contact PPOA at (323) 261-3010 for guidance and potential representation prior to any contact with the OIG.

Support for LASD Parks Bureau and Class 464

May 17: PPOA was honored to support Parks Bureau as it hosted a golf tournament to raise funds for the remaining injured recruits from LASD Class 464. The PPOA BBQ trailer was on site for the event in order to provide lunch for golfers and supporters. Board Member Gerry Garcia was also in attendance.

Coalition of County Unions Meeting

May 17: Executive Director Quint joined fellow labor leaders for the monthly Coalition of County Unions (CCU) meeting to discuss issues impacting PPOA members and other County employees. This month's meeting was hosted by ALADS.

The CCU collectively represents more than 30,000 union members employed by the County of Los Angeles and is their unified voice on health insurance, vacation pay, retirement and more.

Click here for more information about the CCU.

Honoring the Lives of Two Dedicated Veterans

May 19: PPOA representatives attended a tree-planting ceremony yesterday to honor the lives and service of two late PPOA members who served this nation in the armed forces:

Retired Commander Walt Allsop - EOW: 8/2/20
Sergeant Christopher Bracks - EOW: 5/10/22

The event at Pitchess Detention Center was hosted by the LASD Military and Veterans Affairs Unit and American Legion LASD Star Post 309. PPOA staff members were proud to set up the union BBQ trailer to provide lunch for all in attendance.

Click here to visit the PPOA Facebook page and view photos from the ceremony.

California Contract Cities Municipal Seminar

May 19: President Escobedo and Executive Director Quint joined fellow representatives of the California Contract Cities Association for the 64th Annual CCCA Municipal Seminar. Sheriff Robert Luna and LA County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath were among the dozens of featured speakers at this event.

The CCCA represents 80 cities in and around Los Angeles County. Currently, 42 cities contract with LASD, which brings $315 million in annual revenue to the department.

PPOA Scholarship Application Window Closes

May 19: Yesterday marked the final day to accept applications for PPOA 2023 Scholarships. Members of the PPOA Scholarship Committee will be reviewing all documents from students (members and their sons/daughters) who submitted applications. Scholarship recipients will receive their awards during a ceremony at PPOA next month.

Important Update re: Office of Inspector General

May 19: PPOA, together with our brothers and sisters at ALADS, filed a complaint yesterday with the Los Angeles County Employee Relations Commission (ERCOM) against the County of Los Angeles. This complaint seeks to protect our members from any attempts by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and/or the Civilian Oversight Commission to violate our members' fundamental constitutional rights during their investigation of “Deputy Gangs.” This filing, together with the prior success on the challenge of Measure R (which had the effect of suspending the OIG’s attempts to subpoena our members to testify) confirms PPOA’s ongoing and relentless pursuit to assure our members all the appropriate protections under the law. PPOA will continue to update the membership as this issue develops.

Click here to read the Unfair Employee Relations Practice Charge filed today.

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.

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 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.

23rd Annual PPOA Fishing Trip

Hundreds of PPOA members have enjoyed these annual trips over the last two decades and we hope you join us on the boat this summer! This event often sells out, so please reserve your spot as soon as possible. See flyer for details and contact Shannon at (323) 261-3010 to book your seat on the boat.