GLEA is a member of the Arizona Police Association (www.azpolice.org).
Protecting and Serving Those…
that protect and serve the public
Your Best Protection is Not Found in Your Patrol Car…
The Glendale Law Enforcement Association provides the most experienced attorneys and the most extensive legal coverage.
Your GLEA Legal Team
The law firm of Napier, Abdo, Coury & Baillie, P.C.
Mr. Napier has over 35 years experience in working directly with law enforcement associations. The law firm of Napier, Abdo, Coury & Baillie, P.C. works with members of the Arizona Police Association.
GLEA
Welcome to Glendale Law Enforcement Association's website. Representing Glendale officers with integrity and professionalism...
Today’s signing of SB 1235 into law by Governor Jan Brewer signaled a new day for law enforcement officers throughout the state. A late amendment to this bill provides that a law enforcement officer from municipalities can be protected under the state’s whistleblower law from disciplinary action by their department or city personnel director should they disclose information related to a violation of law or a gross waste of money or an abuse of authority by their employer.
In the past reporting such incidents could land the employee in serious hot water and could subject the employee to disciplinary action by the employer. With the signing of this bill officers who make such a report and who are subsequently disciplined by their employer make seek redress through their city or town personnel board.
This amendment was sought by the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) due to recent actions by City of Phoenix Police management personnel against members of their association who were targeted by retaliation for disclosing bad business practices.
After the pension bill passed the committees last week, Arizona Police Association (APA) members groups agreed that the solutions we (police and fire organizations) proposed to sustain the retirement fund fell on deaf ears. We have taken every step to be proactive in sustaining PSPRS, and be a part of a solution. It is clear that the political careers of a few elected officials weighed far heavier than taking care of the promises made to the men and women in blue that put their lives on the line every day. APA affiliates voted last week to roll out a campaign in order help educate the public on the truth about our benefits and pensions. Help us engage the community! Encourage family and friends to understand and advocate for our profession. GLEA is proud to be a part of positive program to help the citizens we serve understand SB 1609. The impact of this bill will have lasting effects on public safety services and financially strain retirees and the families of fallen officers. Help save our pension!
2. Contact all members of the legislature & the Governor’s office. Help advocate for our profession. Let them know SB 1609 is unconstitutional, breaks promises to all current and retired PSPRS fund employees and will create costly lawsuits for Arizona. The impact of this bill will have lasting effects on public safety services and financially strain public safety retirees and the families of fallen officers.
3. Retirees & Veterans: Know a retired officer or a veteran with Arizona law enforcement experience? They should consider calling or emailing their elected official and schedule a meeting. We are encouraging as many retirees and veterans as possible to meet face-to-face with their elected officials. CLICK HERE FOR YOUR DISTRICT & ELECTED OFFICIALS. If they are interested in speaking at a hearing, please email info@respond4azpolice.com.
4. Suggest our social media applications to friends and family.
PHOENIX – First responders from public safety and law enforcement associations across Arizona are voicing their aversion to SB 1609, a pension bill moving through the Legislature. The bill would force pay cuts upon police officers and fire fighters. It also would end for 15 to 20years the cost of living allowances public safety retirees depend on to pay their bills.
The average public safety employee in Arizona earns about $39,000 per year, according to estimates.
While they may wear different uniforms, members of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona (PFFA), the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police (AZFOP), the Arizona Police Association (APA), the Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association (PPSLA) and the Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs (AZCOPS) stand unified in their goal: To protect the people of Arizona. And while taxpayers have long valued public safety, the same cannot be said of lawmakers who threaten to raise pension contributions and gut the middle-class benefits so many public safety retirees depend on to make ends meet.
The joint press conference will be held at: Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, 1700 W. Washington Street in Phoenix. It will begin at 2:00pm, Wednesday, March 23.
Available for media interviews:
Tim Hill, PFFA President
Jim Mann, Executive Director, AZFOP Arizona Labor Council
Jimmy Chavez, President, APA & AHPA
Mark Hafke, PPSLA President
Larry Lopez, AZCOPS President
Watch the “Rescue the Rescuer” TV Advertisment – Airing NOW!
WATCH APA TESTIFY ON SB 1609 ON YOUR BEHALF MARCH 22ND:
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF SB 1609:
Current Employees and Retirees:
The COLA is based on a market value assumption. This is important because the existing Excess Earnings Fund will be able to pay out a COLA for the next two years but after that it may 15-20 years before another COLA is issued. (Retirees and Current Members)
Employees will be expected to pay 11.65% contribution rate in three years. 2% July 2011, 1% July 2012, 1% July 2013.
Drop is eliminated for those with 5 years or less service. Those between 5-20 years will have to pay contributions into the fund when they enter DROP with interest rates dropping on these accounts. Those with 20 years of more service no change in DROP.
Return to work – Penalty payment assessed.
New Hires:
Many changes to the system for people not yet employed.
Other Issues for ALL:
Commission of a class five felony (not conviction) – This would result in forfeiture of your pension.
Military and in-state service – prior service purchase restriction (Not much info on this provision as of yet)
They are also going to study disability payments to all persons so classified in the next two years. This means there is a possibility that disability pensions will be targeted in the future for reduction or elimination
No other Arizona police organization can provide a conference with the magnitude of these guest speakers. This three day educational conference provides the most up-to-date police issues…everything from use-of-force, legal and labor information. Please contact a GLEA board member if you would like to attend or for more information.
