RICHMOND - On March 18, 2015, the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) and its affiliate, Association of Criminalists for The Department of Justice (AC-DOJ), held a site visit and lunch for criminalists at the California Department of Justice DNA Crime Lab in Richmond.

"This is a perfect opportunity for our criminalists to visit with us face to face," said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  "Having our Member Services Representatives Bernadette Gonzalez and Shelley Bishop, our Chief Counsel Kasey Clark and AC-DOJ President John Miller talk with our criminalists and answer any questions they may have, is a very important part of what we do.  With this interaction, we learn what's going on in their workplace and what we can improve upon."

Site visits are an opportunity to advise CSLEA members of the services available to them, about the role that the CSLEA Legal Defense Fund plays in defending CSLEA members, and to discuss the processes of legislation and bargaining. 

“These meetings are vital to keeping long-time members informed about the latest developments in negotiations and other issues, and it’s often the first chance I get to meet with our newer members," said AC-DOJ President John Miller. "There’s a lot to learn about being a state employee, and these meetings are a good start.  Thank you to my AC-DOJ Board Members Sara Penn and Libby Schreiber for also visiting the Richmond Lab with me.”

In addition to visiting the DNA lab in Richmond, CSLEA and AC-DOJ held a site visit and lunch at the DOJ Bureau of Forensic Services Fresno Regional Laboratory in January.  Upcoming site visits and lunches for criminalists include:   Sacramento, March 25th and  Santa Barbara, date still to be determined.