Unit-B and -C leadership meet with legislators to highlight public and worker safety concerns surrounding high vacancy rates in Bargaining Unit7 positions
“Following last month’s CSLEA legislative advocacy days, we planned a full day of legislative visits on March 23rd. The goal is to educate our state legislators about the vital work our CSLEA members do to keep California and those who live here safe. We need to press upon them the the vacancy rates, low compensation, and the difficulty in getting the job done. The jobs of investigating fraud, keeping unsafe drivers off the road, processing forensic evidence to assist with investigations, arrests and prosecutions…this is all work being done by our CSLEA members with not enough boots on the ground.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SACRAMENTO – On March 23, 2026, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona, joined by six Unit-B and -C affiliate presidents met with seven California legislators to address State staffing deficiencies and pay disparities that are impacting California public safety and CSLEA members working in sworn and non-sworn positions.
“Our CSLEA members, in their professional compacities, work to collect and process forensic evidence, they assist with managing the public trails we recreate on, assist with fire-fighting related duties, ensure those who provide housing to millions of Californians are operating within the law, they inspect trucks and buses, and investigate fraud,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. “Continuing on with the large vacancy rates that we have right now in vital public safety and consumer protection positions is not conducive to a safe California or a healthy, productive workforce. California is simply not prioritizing those who stand on the front lines of public safety and consumer protection.”
Legislators who met with CSLEA included:
- Assemblymember Juan Carrillo – Committee: Local Government (Chair)
- Assemblymember David Tangipa – Committee: Budget (Vice Chair)
- Assemblymember Tri Ta – Committee: Local Government (Vice Chair)
- Assemblymember Laura Davies – Committee: Transportation & Governmental Org. (Vice Chair)
- Assemblymember Buffy Wick’s staff member – Committee: Appropriations (Chair)
- Assemblymember Ávila Farías – Committee: Housing Finance & Affordability (Chair)
- Assemblymember Josh Hoover Committee: Vice Chair for Appropriations, Communications & Conveyance, Education
CSLEA representatives included:
- Alan Barcelona, CSLEA President
- Ricardo Sanchez, CSLEA CFO, CALEE President
- Günther Scharnhorst, CSLEA Director, AC-DOJ President
- Marcus Nenn, CSLEA Director, ADC President
- Cesar Bustos, CSLEA Director, AMCOS President
- Paul San Gregorio, CSLEA Director, CAFI President
- Enrique Razo, CSLEA Director, COLRE President
- Shane LaVigne, CSLEA Legislative Advocate – LaVigne Strategies
Topics pressed upon included:
- High vacancy rates
- Competitive pay
- Recruitment and retention
- Vacant positions
- Stalled pay increase
- Challenges in the field
- worker safety concerns
“CSLEA appreciates the time that these legislators and their staff carved out of their schedules for us to meet. These meetings are a prime opportunity for us to bring attention to issues that are important to our members. At the same time, the CSLEA board wants the general membership to know that legislators like to use these meetings to introduce their own ideas for legislation and get our thoughts. This is exactly how productive, bilateral relationships should function.” – Günther Scharnhorst, CSLEA Director, AC-DOJ President
“The discussions were both productive and encouraging, reinforcing the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between our association and elected officials. I also suggested to these assemblymembers the possibility of a ride-along, all of whom showed interest. I look forward to building on this momentum and continuing meaningful engagement with legislators in the future to further advance the interests of our members and the communities we serve.”- Cesar Bustos, CSLEA Director, AMCOS President
