The Glendale Law Enforcement Association (GLEA) released this statement on behalf of its members to the media 05.11.2011.  We will continue to provide assistance to any member and their family that was affected by the unfortunate incident that occurred 05.10.2011.

“Glendale officers have been extremely affected by the shooting that took place yesterday morning,” says Officer Justin Harris, President of the Glendale Law Enforcement Association (GLEA). “No officer wants to encounter a situation where they have to deploy their weapon. It is difficult for officers to be prepared emotionally after a deadly altercation, let alone find out a suspect is related to a well-respected police officer in our department. Our department is truly a family. The Glendale Law Enforcement Association officers are reaching out to the officers, their families and especially the Palomino family, who have all suffered from a stressful and traumatic experience.”

“The Buckeye tragedy still weighs heavy on our hearts, the country is currently remembering fallen officers during National Police Week, and then Glendale has a close call to losing another officer,” adds Harris. “Glendale officers are dealing with many emotions right now. However, every officer is thankful for their life-saving training skills and that we all went home safe to our families yesterday.”

Founded in 1998, the Glendale Law Enforcement Association’s mission is to promote the positive role of Law Enforcement Professionals, and to protect and secure rights and benefits for our members through effective representation with local, state, and national governments. The organization is currently the largest association representing active Glendale Police Officers.

The Arizona Republic

by Dustin Gardiner – Apr. 20, 2010 08:27 AM

CLICK HERE FOR A RELATED ARTICLE FROM THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC

One of Glendale’s police officer unions is endorsing an effort by state lawmakers to give Arizona some of the toughest immigration laws in the nation.

Senate Bill 1070 would make illegal immigration a misdemeanor offense under state law, allowing local law enforcement officers to detain individuals on suspicion of being in the country illegally if they cannot produce a valid government ID or registration card. The bill is expected to head toward Gov. Jan Brewer’s desk for a signature within the coming days.

Officer Justin Harris, president of the Glendale Law Enforcement Association, said the bill gives police, who are only charged with enforcing state laws, the power to detain undocumented immigrants.

and turn them over to federal Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents.

“It takes the handcuffs off law enforcement,” he said. “Our hands are tied without these laws in place.”

Harris said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Russell Pearce of Mesa, approached GLEA and other police unions at the start of the legislative session to secure their support.

Opponents of the bill say it would promote racial profiling and prevent potential witnesses from coming forward or cooperating with police out of fear they could be deported.

“I get calls from mothers whose 15-year-old daughters get raped and they’re afraid to call police,” said Hector Yturralde, a Latino activist and former president of the Arizona Hispanic Community Forum.

“All these laws being passed are nothing but Jim Crow wannabes,” he added, referring to laws in the Old South enforcing white supremacy.

Harris said the undocumented community has no reason to fear police will be overzealous to the point of arresting victims or witnesses.

“We’re not going to treat the victim as a criminal,” he said.

Given the budget cuts facing Glendale and other cities, Yturralde questions why police would use their limited resources to pursue people for “minor” immigration violations when they could be going after hardened criminals.

Harris argues that by taking illegal immigrants off the streets, police will be preventing future crimes they might commit.

He said someone who “sneaks past border agents through the desert and under fences” knows they’re doing something illegal and is more likely to commit other crimes.

“If we can focus on stopping the less serious crime, that in itself stops crime,” Harris said.

Yturralde said there’s no clear evidence to support claims that illegal immigrants commit crimes in higher numbers.

“Not even the FBI has these statistics,” he said. “This is absolutely insane.”

Glendale’s other law enforcement union, the Fraternal Order of Police, has not taken a position on the legislation.

Tracy, and her two boys, Christopher and Kyle, were adopted by the members of GLEA this Christmas.  The single mother works with a few off-duty officers at Fry’s Grocery Store and supports her two boys, including one with special needs. On December 21st, GLEA members and their “Blue Santa” delivered much needed clothes and toys for the family, along with a food gift certificate to make sure they had a nice Christmas meal.

“When you meet Tracy, you know she has a great heart and would do anything for her two boys,” states Justin Harris, President of the Glendale Law Enforcement Association.  “It was very fulfilling for Glendale police officers to make sure a Glendale family received special Christmas gifts for the holidays.”

This was the first GLEA Adopt-a-Family Christmas project, but it will not be the last.  GLEA plans to do this every year for a special Glendale family in efforts to further a positive rapport with our community.  “It is important that law enforcement build lasting relationships with our Glendale children.  They should always know we are here for them, now and later in life,” adds Harris.

GLEA’s mission is to promote the positive role of Law Enforcement Professionals, and to protect and secure rights and benefits for our members through effective representation with local, state, and national governments.  The organization is currently the largest association representing active Glendale Police Officers.

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