On Wednesday, May 22, 2013, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association and the Phoenix Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona will host a joint Barbecue at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel, located at 2620 West Dunlap Avenue (I17 & Dunlap) with the proceeds going to the families of Phoenix Police Officer Daryl Raetz, 8899, and Phoenix Firefighter Bradley Harper, who were killed in separate line of duty incidents this past weekend.

This Barbecue will run from 11:00 am until 1:00 am to accomodate employees from all three shifts and the public is invited to join us and show support for the Raetz and Harper families.

Food will include hamburgers and hot dogs, chips, and soft drinks.  Donations are welcome.

Our thanks goes out to the management staff of the Sheraton for allowing us to do this fundraiser on their property at no cost to PLEA or PFFA.

 

TO ALL MEMBERS: The PLEA monthly board meeting normally scheduled on the third Tuesday of every month will be held at the PLEA office on Saturday May 25, 2013 at 1400 hrs.  This change is necessary due to current restrictions placed on PLEA due to the Goldwater injunction.

 

 

 

 

 

With an increase in the use of social media including Facebook and Twitter, sworn officers are coming under more intense scrutiny of what they post, which questions whether or not their First Amendment Rights may have been violated.

On Monday, May 6, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia issued an order granting NAPO’s motion to participate as an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) in a pending case called Bland, et al. vs. Roberts.  The Court is one step below the U.S. Supreme Court, and the case involves an issue of free speech by a law enforcement officer and how social media and free speech interact.

CLICK HERE to read the full report.

On Wednesday May 8, 2013, PLEA in conjunction with PPSLA held a joint press conference at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Phoenix to discuss the results of the recent leadership and morale survey that went out to all Phoenix Police lieutenants, sergeants and officers.  PLEA would like to thank each and every person that took the time to participate in this very important survey.  The survey was sent out to 2,912 sworn police employees and 1,722 (59%) of you took the time to respond.  In the world of surveys and statistical research this is a phenomenal rate of return which narrowed the margin of error to +/- 1.5%.

As most of you are already aware, the ongoing battle between PLEA and the City of Phoenix against The Goldwater Institute is continuing. Judge Katherine Cooper of the Maricopa County Superior Court issued an injunction against PLEA and the City for the second time. The injunction was dated 04/08/13 however it was not released to PLEA and the City until 04/23/13.

At issue are the full time release provisions of the contract (MOU). Judge Cooper, in her ruling, granted Goldwater's request for preliminary injunction which enjoins (restricts) until further notice, the following sections of the MOU; Sections 1-3.B, 1-3.C, 1-3.Q of the 2012 - 2014 MOU.

Unfortunately, due to Judge Katherine Cooper's decision regarding the Goldwater Injunction, PLEA Membership meetings scheduled for 7:30 am and 12:30 pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 (tomorrow) have been cancelled, as none of the six PLEA Board members formerly assigned to the PLEA Office are allowed to conduct union business during their normal duty hours.

The 5:30 pm meeting is still scheduled for anyone wishing to attend.

The PLEA Office is still open for normal membership services as is the 24 hour Officer's Lounge.

PLEA will keep you advised of any changes in the status of the injunction as we hear from the Court, the City, the Police Department, as well as our attorneys.

Pete and Penny Penguin are traveling from San Diego to Phoenix and will be visiting the PLEA Office on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 from 3:00-4:00 pm.

CLICK HERE for an informational flyer and be sure to bring the kids and a camera!

As you have probably heard by now, this week the presiding judge in the Goldwater lawsuit ignored the fundamental arguments of the case and ruled against your right to effective representation. The court granted the injunction requested by The Goldwater Institute which puts on hold several provisions in the MOU having to do with full time release.

Specifically, the judge disallowed the joint provision in the MOU between PLEA and the City of Phoenix that allows for the full time release of six officers that normally staff the PLEA office even though it is part of the total compensation package negotiated every two years for rank and file officers.

As you have probably heard by now, this week the presiding judge in the Goldwater lawsuit ignored the fundamental arguments of the case and ruled against your right to effective representation. The court granted the injunction requested by The Goldwater Institute which puts on hold several provisions in the MOU having to do with full time release.

Specifically, the judge disallowed the joint provision in the MOU between PLEA and the City of Phoenix that allows for the full time release of six officers that normally staff the PLEA office even though it is part of the total compensation package negotiated every two years for rank and file officers.

As you have probably heard by now, this week the presiding judge in the Goldwater lawsuit ignored the fundamental arguments of the case and ruled against your right to effective representation. The court granted the injunction requested by The Goldwater Institute which puts on hold several provisions in the MOU having to do with full time release.

Specifically, the judge disallowed the joint provision in the MOU between PLEA and the City of Phoenix that allows for the full time release of six officers that normally staff the PLEA office even though it is part of the total compensation package negotiated every two years for rank and file officers.