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.

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!

www.Respond4AZPolice.com

How you, your family, retirees and friends can help:

1. Check for updates and new content on www.Respond4AZPolice.com regularly.

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.

Facebook:Respond4AZPolice

Twitter: @Respond4AZPolice #Respond4AZPolice

Youtube: www.youtube.com/Respond4AZPolice

5. Download graphics and posters to help display your support. You can find them on the website: www.Respond4AZPolice.com.

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ARIZONA COPS AND FIRE FIGHTERS SPEAK OUT:

SB 1609 HURTS PUBLIC SAFETY

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!

Pension Overhaul Makes Way to Arizona: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

UNIVISION 33: ARIZONA POLICE & FIRE REJECT SB 1609

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.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE APA CONFERENCE BROCHURE 2010

Senator Russell Pearce (R) spoke with APA and GLEA President Justin Harris regarding the Safe Neighborhoods bills before it was introduced. The many bills turned into one (SB 1070) and changed dramatically thanks to APA.  The final bill did incorporate all the changes APA requested for law enforcement.

SB-1070 has numerous safeguards included to protect the rights of minority groups. The bill requires reasonable suspicion for officers to make contact and also contains language that allows officers discretion in enforcing the law. The only MANDATES in the law are:

1. Officers cannot stop a person based solely on race, color, or national origin (racial profiling).

2. “No official or agency of this state or a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state may limit or restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law.”

The Arizona Police Association and its members were the only organization asked to support the governor in the signing of SB 1070 last Friday.

READ THE FINAL SB 1070 HERE

Justice was served for Officer Jeremy Esh, as the criminal that shot him in 2006 was sentenced to 24 years behind bars. The Glendale Law Enforcement Association considers Esh a real hero because he came back to a profession where he continues to be put in harm’s way.  GLEA will also be holding the courts to those 24 years, because we do not need this criminal back on the street.

You are a real hero, Officer Esh.  Thank you for your service.

Click here for the Arizona Republic Interview

Click here to view the KPHO Interview with Officer Esh

Click here to read the article from KPHO about his interview

Click here to read the Arizona Republic Article about the sentencing

Click here to read “Your West Valley’s” article about the sentencing

Click here to read the Peoria Times article about the sentencing

The month of January 2010 was one of the deadliest months for police across the nation.  According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), law enforcement deaths are up 31% over last January 2009 nationwide.  However, the Glendale Law Association (GLEA) reminds the public that officers remain committed to their duties, and will continue to serve their public.

“Clearly, the deaths of Lieutenant Eric Shuhandler and DPS Officer Chris Marano have sent shockwaves throughout the law enforcement community,” states Justin Harris, President of the Glendale Law Enforcement Association.  “These losses have reminded all officers how important their training is and how fast one could lose their life.”

NLEOMF released that there have been seventeen (17) officer fatalities this month, six (6) of which were from gun fire and up 500% from last January.  “Officers have a duty to protect and serve,” adds Harris. “The law enforcement professionals I have spoken with continue to take pride in their jobs despite the dangers.”

Officers continue to deal with the unknowns of any traffic stop, which is one of the most dangerous jobs in law enforcement.  “People continue to fight back against our officers in efforts to not go to jail, or other personal reasons,” says Harris.  “This adds additional dangers to our job.”

GLEA’s mission is to promote the positive role of Law Enforcement Professionals, and to protect and secure rights and benefits for their members through effective representation with local, state and national governments.

GLEA is adopting  a local Glendale family in need this holiday season.  Our “Blue Santa” will be delivering gifts to the family.  More information will be available as soon as we decide on a date for the delivery of their gifts…

If you would like to participate with this holiday event, please contact Justin Harris at president@azglea.com or 623-205-9843