The Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs represents more than 9,000 public safety officers and 95 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.
Governor moving ahead with plan to close ADJC despite legislative opposition
(Posted: Feb. 3, 2010)
In the past 24 hours, it has become apparent that Gov. Jan Brewer remains determined to close the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections in July 2010.
AZCOPS has learned from sources close to the situation that she is moving forward with this action, regardless of the expressed wishes of the Legislature. This week, the House voted 58-0 in support of HB 2131, which will extend the operations of the department to July 2015.
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AZCOPS President exposes 'the truth' about Governor's
proposal on radio talk show
AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez was the featured guest Feb. 2 on the Jon Justice Show on 104.1 FM. He was joined by Pima/Maricopa Juvenile Corrections Association Spokesman Joe Glen as they exposed THE TRUTH about the Governor's plan to close the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections by July 2010.
THE TRUTH:
- * More than 1,000 sex offenders, murderers, home invaders and gang bangers will be released to the counties that have no means to house, treat, and supervise them properly!
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* These teenage criminals will return to the communities and neighborhoods where they committed violent crimes -- placing the public at risk! Free from incarceration and proper supervision, law enforcement authorities anticipate more burglaries, assaults of senior citizens, sexual assaults of children, and increased property damage.
* County taxes will skyrocket in order to duplicate what state Juvenile Corrections already does!
Arizona taxpayers have already spent millions of dollars to fund Juvenile Corrections -- an agency that is repeatedly recognized for excellence.
AZCOPS moves House Committee to support bill protecting ADJC jobs
(Posted: Jan. 21, 2010)
AZCOPS achieved a victory in the State Capitol Wednesday on behalf of its members who work for the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections.
Facing a shutdown of ADJC on July 1, 2010, AZCOPS told legislators that they should vote yes on the bill to extend the department's operations five years. AZCOPS Government Relations Director Luis Ebratt and AZCOPS Vice President John Stair testified in support of HB 2131 in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee Wednesday.
"Doing anything less would be dangerous to the public and create an unfair financial burden on already strapped county governments," said Ebratt.
The committee voted 6-0 in favor of the bill and it now needs approval of the full House of Representatives and the Senate before it can make its way to the Governor's desk.
Ebratt said the bill was approved in committee by both Republicans and Democrats. While the Chairman cautioned about the state's tenuous budget situation, he said moving the bill forward was the right thing to do.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer announced Jan. 15 that ADJC should be closed this year to save the state about $67 million. Her proposal would eliminate 900 jobs.
Ebratt advised members to remain vigilant and monitor the actions of their elected officials.
"This is only the beginning," he said. "While we are hopeful that this legislation will finally pass, the inner-workings of the political process are not always so predictable. Members should stay alert to what's happening in the Capitol, and when we call for backup, be ready to get involved."
"While this is a positive step forward, AZCOPS isn't taking anything for granted," said President Larry A. Lopez. "We won't rest until this issue is finally settled in a way that protects our members and the communities they serve."
AZCOPS is responding to Governor's call to close state's juvenile facilities
(Posted: Jan. 19, 2010)
AZCOPS attorneys, legislative and administrative staff, and Board members are working around the clock to implement a political plan of action in response to the Governor's announcement Jan. 15 that the state's juvenile correctional facilities will be closed.
AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez said today that the leadership of the union has mobilized all of its resources to fight the proposal. These severe budget cuts put AZCOPS members and their families in financial peril and place our communities at an alarming risk.
"At no point in the history of our state have we seen elected officials act with such blatant disregard for the public's safety," he said. "It will take all of us working together to effectively communicate our message as we attempt to change the direction of the Legislature and this Governor."
Members should check email regularly in the coming days as additional updates are distributed.
"Our goal is to keep members informed and involved at every step," Lopez said.
AZCOPS members who may be directly effected by the proposed facility closures are encouraged to share your stories with us. Send us email today.
► Contact House Committee Members
AZCOPS members are asked to contact members of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee and tell them to VOTE YES on HB 2131 on Jan. 20th.
A YES VOTE on HB 2131 will extend operations of the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections to July 1, 2015. House members who vote against the bill will be voting to end department operations on July 1, 2010.
The Committee will hear the bill at 9 a.m. Jan. 20. Click on the links below to send emails right away to committee members.
Sam Crump
Patricia V. Fleming
David Gowan
Barbara McGuire
Daniel Patterson
Carl Seel
David W. Stevens
Jerry Weiers Chairman
Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association held a press conference Nov. 5 at the State Capitol where they discussed proposed budget cuts, prison privatization and threats to the public's safety. See the news coverage
Visit protectaz.com
AZCOPS reports voting record of lawmakers on prison privatization bill
When state lawmakers passed legislation authorizing private prisons, they put the public at risk and turned their backs on Arizona public safety officers. AZCOPS members and their families need to know where their elected officials stand on the issue.
See which legislators voted with public safety officers and who voted against us on HB 2010. Then, take a moment to contact them by email using the link provided. Be sure to thank those who stood with us and voted against the bill. For those who voted for privatization, let them know that AZCOPS members will remember them at election time.
Association leaders were recognized during the 8th Annual AZCOPS Convention Oct. 17 in Laughlin, NV. From left are Oscar Rosas of Nogales POA, Victor Figueroa of San Luis POA, David Sargent of Pinetop-Lakeside POA, Aki Stant of City of Maricopa PA, Vincent Schaan of Chino Valley POA, AZCOPS General Counsel Martin Bihn, AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez, Chris Palic of Oro Valley POA, Michael Bott of Oro Valley POA, and Edward Arvizu of Bullhead City POA. (Click image to enlarge.)
AZCOPS leaders convene for training, networking opportunities
From training sessions on politics, legal matters, discipline grievance and collective bargaining, the Eighth Annual AZCOPS Convention Oct. 16-18 offered something for all members and association leaders.
"This year's convention was packed full of information that members and leaders will be able to use to grow their membership and help build their political influence," said AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez.
Keynote speakers for this year's two-day convention were Jim Spearing of JMS Associates of Florida, and John Doran of the National Coalition of Public Safety Officers. Grievance training was presented by Mike Gurr, chairman of the Tucson POA Grievance Committee, and sessions on legal issues and a legislative update were presented by AZCOPS General Counsel Martin Bihn, Attorney Mike Storie and Government Relations Director Luis Ebratt.
More Stories and Photos Coming Soon
AZCOPS forces court settlement over bargaining
PCDSA wins representation election and squashes FOP in the process
(Posted: Sept. 12, 2009)
Earlier this year, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to grant Meet and Confer bargaining rights to deputies. This vote was the result of nearly a year of hard work by the PCDSA. President Chris Rogers and the rest of the PCDSA leadership lobbied the Supervisors, got Sheriff Dupnik’s buy-in, attended Board meetings, and generally did everything to make Meet and Confer happen.
At the appointed date under the new ordinance, PCDSA circulated its recognition petition. PCDSA obtained the signatures of well over 30 percent of the deputies, submitted its petition and expected the County to set an election.
Instead of moving forward as planned, PCDSA received a letter from the County Manager advising: (1) that Sergeants were not in the bargaining unit, and (2) that PCDSA could not stand for election unless it revoked the membership of all of its sergeants, lieutenants, captains and commanders. This position, of course, was contrary to the ordinance and violated our members’ Constitutional right of free association.
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