• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
CSLEA

California Statewide Law Enforcement Association

My union, My Choice!

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Join CSLEA
  • 24/7 LDF Hotline
  • About
    • About CSLEA
    • CSLEA Foundation
      • Scholarships
    • Legal Team
    • Board Officers and Directors
    • CSLEA Affiliates
    • Member Services Staff
    • Advocacy Consultants
    • Communications Division
  • News and Media
    • Working For You
    • News
    • Monthly Alert Newsletter
    • CSLEA Videos
    • CSLEA Mobile App
    • Communications Division
  • Membership
    • Join CSLEA
    • Member Benefits
    • Membership Insurance Programs
    • Exclusive Member Discounts
    • Member Resources
    • Supervisors & Managers Benefits
    • Member Information Services
    • Member Services Staff
  • Legal
    • LDF 24-Hour Hotline
    • Legal Defense Fund
      • LDF Team
      • LDF Plan Attorneys
      • LDF Plan Description
    • Legal Team
    • Legal Representation Committee
    • Admonishment Statement
    • Peace Officer Bill of Rights
    • Legal Victories
    • Know Your Rights
    • Legal FAQs
  • Advocacy
    • Current Legislation
    • Legislative Update
    • Legislative Request Form
    • PAC Endorsements
    • General Election Results
    • Advocacy Consultants
  • Contact Us
    • Address Update
    • Beneficiary Information Update
  • Join CSLEA
  • LDF 24-Hour Hotline
Search

Suspension of Two Hospital Police Officers Revoked After Hearing With Executive Director

HPAC

Logo

Suspension of Two Hospital Police Officers Revoked After Hearing With Executive Director

“Without the help and representation of CSLEA, I feel this victory would not have been possible." - Jose Leal, CSLEA Member & Hospital Police Officer

Posted on May 28, 2014

csleaOn May 22, 2014, the Department of State Hospitals – Metropolitan State Hospital confirmed that it revoked two Notices of Adverse Action which were previously served on two of its Hospital Police Officers.

HPOs Jose Leal and Henry Moran received notices advising that each would be suspended for thirty working days, effective May 23, 2014. In May 2013, Leal and Moran were threatened by a patient while they were performing foot patrol duties in Metropolitan’s secure treatment unit. After attempting to speak with the patient, the patient challenged the officers to come closer to him and then attempted to punch one of the officers.

At the time, the officers were assigned to Metropolitan’s Grounds Safety Team which was formed two years ago to create a more visible law enforcement presence on the patient units. The duties of officers who work the GST post include initiating contact with staff and patients.

Upon their receipt of the Notices of Adverse Action, Leal and Moran immediately contacted CSLEA’s Supervising Legal Counsel, David De La Riva who then scheduled Skelly hearings for the officers with Metropolitan’s Executive Director, Dr. Michael Barsom. During the hearings, the officers clarified what occurred last May while they were on the GST assignment and evidence was presented in support of their respective arguments. Within three hours of the conclusion of the hearings, Metropolitan informed CSLEA that Dr. Barsom exercised the authority vested in him as the Skelly officer and withdrew both suspensions. Unfortunately, some Skellyofficers have been known to use the hearings as a vehicle to gather intelligence in anticipation of the evidentiary hearing to follow. However, when Dr. Barsom has served as a Skelly officer, he has consistently shown a willingness to revoke or modify the actions served on his officers, based on the facts presented.

This is another in a long line of examples wherein officers are accused of misconduct and qualified legal representation is required to properly address all aspects of their proposed punishments. Even though Leal and Moran do not have disciplinary records and have enjoyed distinguished careers at Metropolitan to date, they have continued to maintain their full-membership status with CSLEA knowing that in their line of work, allegations of misdeeds involving patients may occur at any time. CSLEA reminds Bargaining Unit 7 employees that the difference between maintaining full membership versus fair-share status is less than $10.00 per month. This is a small price to pay given that a decision to sustain the suspensions in this case would have cost each officer several thousands of dollars and could have served to permanently tarnish their reputations as officers. The stakes are too high to ignore the virtues of full membership.

Each officer expressed his gratitude to CSLEA after receiving the news of Dr. Barsom’s decision. Leal commented, “Without the help and representation of CSLEA, I feel this victory would not have been possible. David De La Riva’s experience and dedication played a major role in securing this victory for me and my family.”

  •  Share on Facebook
  •  Share on X
  •  Share on LinkedIn
  •  Share via Email

Primary Sidebar

  • HPAC
    • View All Affiliates
  • About
    • About CSLEA
    • CSLEA Foundation
      • Scholarships
    • Legal Team
    • Board Officers and Directors
    • CSLEA Affiliates
    • Member Services Staff
    • Advocacy Consultants
    • Communications Division

Footer

  • About
    • About CSLEA
    • CSLEA Foundation
    • Legal Team
    • Board Officers and Directors
    • CSLEA Affiliates
    • Member Services Staff
    • Advocacy Consultants
    • Communications Division
  • News and Media
    • Working For You
    • News
    • Monthly Alert Newsletter
    • CSLEA Videos
    • CSLEA Mobile App
    • Communications Division
  • Membership
    • Join CSLEA
    • Member Benefits
    • Membership Insurance Programs
    • Exclusive Member Discounts
    • Member Resources
    • Supervisors & Managers Benefits
    • Member Information Services
    • Member Services Staff
  • Legal
    • LDF 24-Hour Hotline
    • Legal Defense Fund
    • Legal Team
    • Legal Representation Committee
    • Admonishment Statement
    • Peace Officer Bill of Rights
    • Legal Victories
    • Know Your Rights
    • Legal FAQs
  • Advocacy
    • Current Legislation
    • Legislative Update
    • Legislative Request Form
    • PAC Endorsements
    • General Election Results
    • Advocacy Consultants
  • Contact Us
    • Address Update
    • Beneficiary Information Update
  • Join CSLEA
  • LDF 24-Hour Hotline

CSLEA is a Member Association of PORAC

Download the CSLEA Mobile App
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 California Statewide Law Enforcement Association. All Rights Reserved.
Website designed and developed by 911MEDIA.