SACRAMENTO – California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) officers and directors met at CSLEA headquarters September 14, 2017 for their third quarterly board meeting of the year. In addition to receiving updates from consultants and staff, the board had the opportunity to listen to presentations from, and interact with, California Senator Ed Hernandez, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, State Controller Betty Yee and Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

 

“These elected officials are either seeking re-election to their current office or seeking election to a different office in 2018,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  “Their visit to CSLEA headquarters to attend our board meeting is a fantastic way for our directors to meet the candidates, ask them questions and get a feel for their platforms.  I thank them for taking time out of their busy schedules to talk to us about law enforcement, public safety and public service issues.”

The candidates also discussed issues such as water, transportation, health, affordable housing, the economy, protecting the middle class, collective bargaining, and retirement security.

“We were very lucky to have four labor-friendly candidates explain their positions on key issues for our members,” said Marcus Nenn, CSLEA director and president of the Association of Deputy Commissioners (ADC).

“Rest assured, I am representing our members’ best interests when we interview and meet with candidates,” said George Tiongson, CSLEA director and president of the California Association of Food and Drug Investigators (CAFDI).  “Whether it’s retiree health benefits or protecting our pensions, I, and the other board members, align ourselves to accomplish this goal.”

President Barcelona opened the Board of Directors meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for fallen law enforcement officers and members of the military.

Updates and items of discussion at the board meeting:

• The board received an update from CSLEA Director of Communications and Public Affairs Teri Cox regarding the new website, social media stats, the new use of video on Facebook replacing cover photos, and the announcement of 2107 scholarship awards.  Cox encourage the directors to send in photos for social media and to encourage members to do the same.

 

• 

  Kenny Ehrman

  CSLEA Foundation Chairman Kenny Ehrman informed the board that he would not be participating in Yolo County’s large public safety fair, as the county scrapped its speaker portion of the event.

 

• CSLEA Director Dennis Maffei discussed the issue of suicides among law enforcement officers and perhaps the exploration of having Fraternal Order of Police Chaplains available to assist families and fellow law enforcement officers.

 

• CSLEA Senior Vice President and Conference Committee Chairwoman Tina Brazil updated the board on the membership event held in Riverside September 8-9, 2017.   Reporting 69 members in attendance and 128 attendees at the picnic.  She received positive feedback regarding the classes offered and the event itself.  The board discussed what options might be best for reaching out to membership and for membership involvement.

 

• CSLEA Member Services Supervising Representative Richard Carrillo updated the board on membership.  His staff conducted 73 new employee orientations and 159 outreach meetings between January 1 and September 12, 2017.  During outreach meetings, his staff is encountering members with questions that are best answered by CSLEA attorneys.  Carrillo and his staff have referred 29 members to CSLEA attorneys in the time frame mentioned above.   CSLEA Member and California Association of Fraud Investigators (CAFI) Director Carol Nolan joined in the conversation stating that potential new members should be made aware of the importance of having access to the CSLEA Legal Defense Fund (LDF). Nolan said the LDF benefit is priceless especially during the current anti-law enforcement environment.

 

• Capitol Advocacy Legislative Advocate Shane LaVigne presented the board with the progress of legislation that is currently supported or opposed by CSLEA.  There was also a discussion of legislation that should be proposed for the next legislative session.

• CSLEA Political Consultant Peter Mitchell informed CSLEA officers and directors about federal, state and some local offices, the 2018 and 2020 elections and possible initiatives.

 

• CSLEA Chief Financial Officer Ricardo Sanchez updated the board on CSLEA financial matters including current and future budget.

 

• CSLEA Chief Counsel Kasey Clark informed the board on the number of contacts CSLEA attorneys have had with members during the past quarter, updated the board on arbitration and legal defense cases in which CSLEA is assisting its members, and expanded on the CERB deduction from pay warrants.

 

The CSLEA board meets four times a year.   The next CSLEA board meeting will likely be held in December.