"The Voice of Line Probation Peace Officers"

SCOPO

From the President

Let me begin by saying thank you to everyone. Thank you for your support and encouragement. It is humbling to have been elected as SCOPO’s President, and an honor to represent our membership. I hope to build upon our Organization’s accomplishments, and to carry on the work of past President Bill Harper and the previous Board and its officers.

Before I go any further though, I’d like to tell you a little more about myself. Even though I’ve met some of you, it is likely that I may not be able to meet with the entire membership in the coming year. You may ask, who is this new President of ours? I am a native Californian, and have lived in northern California for my entire life. I have worked for San Joaquin County for over fourteen years, nearly six years of those years as a Correctional Officer working in an institution, with the last eight being spent with Probation. I’ve been involved with our local Association for over six years, the last two serving as the Association’s President.

Today’s world of probation is different than what it was in years past. To borrow an expression, this isn’t your father’s field of probation. Many departments are now armed and enjoy some form of 3% at 50 for retirement. These alone have necessitated major changes in departments throughout the State of California. Not being able to work with sufficient funding, in conjunction with previously enacted cumbersome legislation has placed additional burdens on the field of probation and law enforcement, and has resulted in the way business has been done. It could also be argued that the population we deal with is a more violent, drug addicted, and mentally unstable group as a whole. Honestly, I wouldn’t argue with those assumptions, but any presumptions should be left to the experts who study the data. What I do know, is that we are being asked to do more with less, and in today’s economic climate this may continue to be a way of life for our immediate future. Long term though, this would only lead to a broken system. Officers working with fewer resources and under ever increasing demands will result in worker burnout and an increase in health & safety risks, not to mention a diminished ability to deliver services to the public. When you factor in the release by the Federal Courts of over 40,000 State Prison inmates over a period of two years, and the related issue of adequate funding to the counties for effective supervision, our situation is precarious to say the least. The challenges we face are great, but I have faith in our ability to rise to the occasion. A belief that is shared by local law enforcement, local government, and the courts, who’ve testified to the fact that every $1.00 invested in local probation yields dividends. Recently, the State Legislature recognized this fact. Senate Bill 678, authored by Senators Leno & Benoit and supported by Senate Budget Committee Chair Ducheny, grants monies to local probation based on a reduction in recidivism through a decrease in the number of parolees being returned to State Prison. Time and again, I am amazed at our ability to overcome adversity and get the job done. Ingenuity, creativity, and determination are traits that have served us well over the years, and they will continue to be assets for us in the future.

Looking forward requires us to look back. Some of SCOPO’s accomplishments include: obtained the first Attorney General’s Opinion on the right of off-duty arming for probation peace officers; obtained the first Attorney General’s Opinion on the extent of probation peace officer status and authority; clarified with the Legislative Analyst’s Office presumptions regarding Workers Compensation under Labor Code 4850; obtained legislation to include probation peace officers in all Labor Code presumptions; co-sponsored legislation granting Probation Peace Officers Eligibility in Safety Retirement; and greater recognition by the State’s Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, the media, the Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC), and other major law enforcement organizations as a major participant in local and state government functions. Over the years, we have expanded our Organization to include representation from over 20 California counties.

In the coming years, we need to continue our efforts in advancing our interests, and expand our membership throughout California. Our Legislative Advocate Jim Frayne, has done a tremendous job at the former; while our past leadership has done an admirable job with the latter. Both are ongoing responsibilities and will continue to be for years to come. While your Board continues to work on your behalf, it is important to know that it is up to each and every one of us to further our interests. A handful of us can get the message out, but it is only with the strength of all of us that we will find success! How many times have people mistaken us for Parole? Too many I’d say. This is not meant to disparage the work of our brothers and sisters at the State level; rather, it is meant to emphasize the misunderstanding people have of the work we do. This is why it is important for all of us to make ourselves visible and heard. If there’s a project in the community that needs your attention, see that you become involved. If there’s a candidate or a measure that needs your support, support ‘em. If you’re working together with outside agencies, be cognizant of your role and work to the best of your ability. Get to know your local Board of Supervisors and Legislators. Include them on a ride along on one of your sweeps or missions, so they will gain a better understanding of what your job entails.      

Along with advancing our interests and expanding our membership, we need to remain vigilant on two key issues: 1) The pending release of prisoners from State Prison, and 2) Continued attacks on our pensions and benefits, while keeping them competitive in order to maintain and attract qualified candidates. The first issue will affect our workloads and the safety of the communities we live in. The second issue will be critical to recruitment and retention for all of our organizations. Containment on both of these issues will involve not only continued efforts at the State Capitol and with your local Board of Supervisors, but in building & maintaining alliances with those interested in working together for our mutual interests. This will require mutual respect and hard work.   

In closing, I’d again like to express my thanks to this Organization for its support, and for the work everyone has done to make SCOPO what it is today. Know that while I am your President, I along with the Board and its officers will devote time and energy towards continuing its effectiveness and realizing its goals. With your support I can do my job, but with patience and persistence we can strive to make a difference.

Paul Brennan

President, SCOPO

Paul Brennan

President of SCOPO

A new decade brings new challenges

Date: 1/1/2010