In an effort to renew the Resource Protection Peace Officers Association (RPPOA) affiliate within the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA), an interim board of directors has been formed and has initiated its campaign to increase ranger and peace officer lifeguard participation in CSLEA. 

The interim board met on three occasions: on July 16 it conducted its initial meeting at CSLEA headquarters in Sacramento. On July 30, the Board met via conference call and on August 6 via Skype at the CSLEA offices in Sacramento and Huntington Beach.   

The interim board consists of State Parks Peace Officer Rangers Lee Hawkins (Malibu), Robert Pickett (Hungry Valley) Matthew Yarbrough (Tahoe) and Bryan Taylor (Chico). Those participating in the meetings on behalf of CSLEA are Chief Counsel Kasey Clark, Chief Financial Officer Ricardo Sanchez, Sr. Counsel Dave De La Riva,  Director of Member Services Paul Satkowski and Director of Communications Teri Cox.

The interim board members are now initiating contacts with rangers/lifeguards to gain a perspective on what needs to be done to increase participation in CSLEA. The board members will begin visiting Parks worksites in September to conduct face-to-face meetings with Unit 7 members.

The board has also decided to implement a professional training reimbursement program where RPPOA members will have an ability to be awarded money to cover the costs of tuition and travel expenses for career-related training.  "Right now Parks has been restrictive on authorizing and paying for career-related training" said Interim Director Matt Yarbrough. "RPPOA has the financial ability to provide members the training they need to enhance their knowledge and professionalism, so RPPOA is going to give some members that opportunity."