PLEA and APA meet with Attorney General

The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) facilitated a request from PLEA and the APA to meet with United States Attorney General Eric Holder to discuss our support of the tools provided to Law Enforcement and to our communities through SB 1070. The Attorney General listened to the concerns of front line Police Officers on the topic of SB 1070 and illegal immigration. The National Troopers Association and the National Sheriff’s Association stepped forward and communicated their support for SB 1070 to Eric Holder. Both PLEA and the APA appreciate the servant-leadership shown by Governor Jan Brewer and her willingness to combat the crime of illegal immigration and her overall steadfast support of rank and file Law Enforcement Officers.

CLICK HERE to read the Arizona Republic article about the meeting.

CLICK HERE to view the channel 12 news video about the meeting.

Listen Now! to PLEA President Mark Spencer on the Mike Broomhead show on KFYI 550 AM.

CLICK HERE to view the FOX 10 news story about the meeting.

PLEA's Endorsements

Like police labor organizations around the nation, PLEA is a politically active organization.  As the largest police organization in the state, political candidates will often seek PLEA's endorsement when running for office.  PLEA does not give endorsements lightly.  Many factors are considered before endorsing a candidate.  At a minimum candidates must meet with and be vetted by PLEA's legislative liaison.  In many instances candidates will meet with and be vetted by the PLEA Board.  Party affiliations are not the most important factor.  PLEA looks to see which candidates have worked well with police labor in the past as well as which candidates are in touch with issues important to the organization and show promise for having positive working relationships in the future.

CLICK HERE to see which candidates PLEA is currently endorsing.

PLEA and APA to Meet with US Attorney General

The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is facilitating a meeting between PLEA and the APA with the US Attorney General on Tuesday June 8, 2010 in Washington DC.  The AG deserves an honest law enforcement assessment from police officers concerning SB1070.  PLEA and the APA believe it’s important to communicate the needs and concerns of front-line Arizona rank-and-file officers and the tools that SB1070 provides.  SB1070 has been successfully test-driven for the past two years in Phoenix through the Department’s modified immigration policy.   The Phoenix immigration policy allows a discretionary, proactive partnership with ICE in dealing with the crime of illegal immigration and mirrors the intent of SB1070.  Over the past two years implementation of the new immigration policy has resulted in crime plummeting along with over 3000 deportations without any additional costs, any additional crimes, any drain on manpower, and without a single civil rights, biased policing, or racial profiling complaint.

It should be interesting to note, that in order for four PLEA and APA law enforcement representatives to meet with the US Attorney General, the following instructions have to be complied with:

“THIS PART IS IMPORTANT, DOJ WILL NEED ASAP FOR ALL FOUR OF YOU THE FOLLOWING (1) FULL NAME; (2) DATE OF BIRTH; (3) SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER; (4) PLACE OF BIRTH; (5) CITIZENSHIP”

Listen Now! to an audio clip from the Mike Broomhead show talking about the irony of US police officers having to prove citizenship prior to meeting with the Attorney General.

Doing the Right Thing

The honor guard has traditionally gone to Washington DC each May for National Police Week. During this week they honor our 35 fallen Phoenix Police Officers and participate in numerous events. It is also an opportunity for the entire country to see the professionalism of the Phoenix Police Department. Unlike previous years, this year the honor guard was required to use their own vacation time to represent the City of Phoenix. It is unimaginable for the Police Department to force these officers to burn their “own time” when there is clearly a benefit to the City of Phoenix by having the honor guard attend National Police Week. This is even after PLEA and the honor guard’s 501.c.3 charitable arm funded the entire trip for the four PLEA members who attended and no Department funds had to be used.

Thankfully, City Manager David Cavazos and Assistant City Manager Ed Zuercher have common sense and were willing to “do the right thing” and correct the error.  On the same day that they were notified of situation, they exercised leadership and made the decision to restore these officers’ leave banks and place them on City Business time for that week. This is another example of PLEA partnering with City management to serve the PLEA membership. PLEA would like to thank both David Cavazos and Ed Zuercher for their fast response and understanding the importance of our Honor Guard.

CLICK HERE to read the letter authored by PLEA Chief Negotiator Will Buividas to City Manager David Cavazos.