By Alan Barcelona
CSLEA President
FOP Lodge 77 President and State Trustee

On behalf of the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association membership, CSLEA Directors have attended numerous memorial and award ceremonies the past several weeks. It is important to pause and reflect on the sacrifices of our public safety employees and to award those who continue to pursue excellence on the job.

Some of the memorial services CSLEA has attended include the California Peace Officers' Memorial in which the names of 13 California Peace Officers killed in the line of duty in 2014 were added to the memorial, and the CHP's annual Badges of Honor Ceremony, remembering the lives of 225 CHP officers killed in the line of duty.

May is also a month in which the State of California awards its employees for acts of bravery and heroism, on or off the job. This year, five CSLEA members received Medals of Valor for risking their own safety to save another. I congratulate each and every one of them, and thank them for their service. In addition, congratulations to CSLEA Member/State Parks Communications Operator Maria Ripani and CSLEA Member/ State Park Ranger Daniel Perata for being recognized and awarded at the State Parks Director's Recognition Awards Ceremony” for assisting others in need. I hope you will take time to read the stories of our members who received the awards mentioned, as their stories reflect the passion of public safety.

We are starting our summer of CSLEA Membership Appreciation events. Our first event is in Arcadia June 6, 2015. CSLEA is hosting a class on Contract & Negotiation Information and Proposals at the Embassy Suites as well as a lunch at Arcadia County Park. CSLEA hopes to see you there!