The Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs represents more than 9,000 public safety officers and 90 local affiliates across the state. AZCOPS members are municipal police officers, deputy sheriffs, correctional officers and probation officers who look to their union to further their interests through aggressive representation in the legal and political arenas.
An update on key bills pending in the Arizona Legislature
(Posted: May 28, 2009)
By Luis Ebratt
Director of Government Relations
What follows is an update on recent significant legislation of interest to AZCOPS members.
SB1028. AZCOPS has been assured by State Sen. Al Melvin (R-26) of Oro Valley as recently as May 26 that privatization has no traction. On May 27, State Sen. Russell Pearce (R-18) of Mesa informed me that he would be offering an alternate proposal to privatization (the state to borrow on currently owned facilities, i.e., second mortgage).
SB1035. Among other provisions, this bill sought to increase employee contributions in pensions administered by PSPRS. On May 27, Sen. Pearce advised he would be removing this provision from the legislation and would be asking for a committee to study the PSPRS administered retirement plan during the summer. He invited AZCOPS to participate in the study group.
Note: The PSPRS has a legal opinion about the proposed increase and it was determined to be unconstitutional.
HB2636. This bill has not moved since first introduced in Appropriations Committee. AZCOPS was assured by State Representatives John Kavanagh (R-18) of Fountain Hills, and Andy Biggs (R-22) of Gilbert that the pension increase, which mirrors SB1035, had no support in the House. This bill is reportedly dead.
All other Legislation introduced by AZCOPS is presumed dead due to budget demands/priority.
Members are urged to take this opportunity to contact your Senate majority members and ask them to support Senator Pearce's proposals as an alternative to privatization (in the case of SB1028) and the removal of the employee pension increase (in the case of SB1035).
Senate Roster
AZCOPS fighting bill that would raise the employee contribution rate to PSPRS-administered pensions
By Luis Ebratt
Director of Government Relations
On May 4th, the Arizona House of Representatives introduced HB2636. Among other provisions, this legislation would raise the contribution of employees whose pensions are administered by PSPRS by 1.93%.
This bill was heard in Appropriations on May 5th and passed by an 8-5 vote. It is currently being held due to questions of constitutionality.
AZCOPS spoke directly to Appropriations Chairman John Kavanagh and expressed our opposition. Rep. Kavanagh also explained that constitutional issues have stopped the bill for the time being and that he would confer with AZCOPS further on May 11.
AZCOPS has also contacted Senate Appropriations Chairman Russell Pearce and voiced opposition to this bill. The Arizona Supreme Court has advised AZCOPS that the Judges Association is opposed to this legislation as well. Across Arizona, all effected labor groups stand in opposition to this destructive bill. Reliable sources believe it has no support in the Legislature and will not be heard; however, we will remain vigilant.
As always AZCOPS has addressed the concerns of our membership and will advise everyone as this unfolds.
Arizona honors its Fallen Heroes
AZCOPS members were among the many who attended the statewide Peace Officers Memorial Service May 4th in Phoenix. From left are Kevin Gillooly Jr. of Tucson Police Department, Micha Gillooly, Ed Hardesty of Pima County Sheriffs Department, Beverly Murphy of Sahuarita Police Department, and Joe Cameron of Pima County Sheriffs Department.
Ed Hardesty's brother, Patrick Hardesty, was killed in the line of duty May 26, 2003. He was a Tucson police officer.
Police positions saved in Oro Valley thanks to OVPOA, AZCOPS
(Posted: May 4, 2009)
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AZCOPS President Larry Lopez speaks to the Oro Valley Town Council in March in opposition to their proposed layoffs of police officers.
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The months-long effort by the Oro Valley Police Officers Association and AZCOPS to persuade the Town Council from cutting police jobs proved successful last week when officials voted to spare the six officer positions and cut back in other areas.
The patrol positions became the target of the Oro Valley Town Council in March when they announced plans to cut some 30 jobs across the departments in an effort to save money.
OVPOA and AZCOPS President Larry Lopez addressed the Council in March and warned that the move would put the public at risk. The original proposal would have disbanded the Community Action Team, which is responsible for stemming the flow of heroin into the area. Lopez said it wasn't right to put officers' jobs on the line while several months earlier the City Manager had accepted a $21,000 pay raise, $12,000 in deferred comp and 500 additional hours of vacation time bringing his salary to about $165,000.
In response to opposition expressed by OVPOA and AZCOPS, the Council voted to approve an alternative plan for cutbacks that avoided layoffs by eliminating five vacant positions and a sixth one that will be vacated by September. Those positions included a dispatcher, a reserve officer, two patrol officers and a part-time records specialist. Other savings were found in the areas of equipment, travel and training and outside professional services.
OVPOA Spokesman Chris Palic said the Association appreciated the Council for accepting the alternative to job losses. But, he will continue to monitor upcoming discussions on the police budget to be sure that officer safety isn't put at risk by any additional proposed cuts.
Working to protect members' jobs
In addition to fighting for members jobs in Oro Valley and the Department of Corrections, Lopez recently addressed elected officials in Flagstaff where the City is considering layoffs of patrol officers. To find out more about how AZCOPS is working to protect members' jobs, watch for the next edition of the newsletter, AZCOPS SPEAKS -- coming to your mailbox later this month.
AZCOPS leaders speak with Sen. McCain
(Posted: April 22, 2009)
AZCOPS leaders recently attended the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce National Issues Forum where U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, spoke about various issues impacting the country.
Concerned about increasing violence along the border and the impact it has on Arizona law enforcement, AZCOPS President Larry Lopez (left) asked the Senator about proposals to boost security efforts there.
Lopez was joined at the forum by AZCOPS Director of Government Relations Luis Ebratt (right).
AZCOPS, AZCPOA working together to revamp organizational structure
(Posted: April 22, 2009)
On April 16th, key leaders of AZCPOA met to discuss a number of issues that have received increased attention over recent months and in many instances, upset members.
AZCPOA leadership recognized the need to deal with these issues and refocus so that AZCPOA might move forward in the best interest of its members. It was quickly determined that the number one priority would be unity. Everyone agreed that AZCOPS would provide the template for a revamped organizational structure, thus ensuring continued growth and future success in a number of areas.
The key words of discussion were transparency, communication and organization. It was agreed that with a revamped organizational chart, all members would have an increased voice. With this new structure in place, both communication (at all levels) and transparency would easily follow. Bylaws and the revamped organizational chart will be posted for two weeks for all members to provide input. Thereafter, executive level discussion will review this member input for implementation.
As an aside, with joint cooperation from CWA/AZCOPS and AZCPOA, the recently expanded AZCPOA office space will be accessed in the coming days by CWA as a strategic location for its new Phoenix office. This will remove the AZCPOA's recent expenditure for office space and mutually aid all parties in growing a powerful union.
Both AZCOPS and AZCPOA stand united in their effort to grow and protect members' interests during these financially difficult times.
AZCOPS is always working for you!
Pinal County supervisors reject plan to add more deputies
(Posted: April 16, 2009)
The Pinal County Deputies Association says the County Board of Supervisors made a mistake when it voted earlier this month to reject Sheriff Babeu's plan to add 30 new deputies through the federal government's COPS Grant.
President Jeff Pizzi said the Association supported the Sheriff in his efforts to obtain the grant, which would have funded the 30 positions for three years. Pizzi said he was disappointed that the Board of Supervisors said no to the proposal at a time when crime in Pinal County is on the rise.
"This grant would have been used to supplement the shortage of manpower and develop specialty positions within the department," Pizzi said. "Even worse, the County Manager has directed the Sheriff to cut his budget an additional 8 percent, which will limit the department's ability to adequately protect the public."
"Public safety must be at the top of our collective priorities," said Sheriff Babeu. "We need more patrol deputies to serve our increasing population and to properly address the significant rise in crime during this economic downturn."
"Pinal County is growing and we see it in the steady increase in calls for service to the Sheriff's Office as well as increased response times to calls. Last year, the average respose time was over 18 minutes to Priority 1 calls," Pizzi said. "The Board boasts that we are the fastest growing county in Arizona, but where is the growth in infrastructure and services for our citizens?"
Two supervisors on the Board acknowledged that the department is understaffed and more deputies may be needed in three years. But, they did not want to commit the funding for the positions after the three-year grant was concluded, Pizzi said.
The Sheriff had planned to request $7.3 million to fund the 30 positions for three years. In year four, the projected cost to the County was $2.2 million.