Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Broward Centurion A Publication of the Broward County Police Benevolent Association
Mar 15 Volume 19 Issue 3
- BSO Contract Survey Results - School Board Contract Update- Vote The PBA Way, Candidates We Support- Scholarship Deadline is April 15, 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
President’s Message 3Member Updates 3BSO Survey Results 4On the Road with Secretary Lee Martin 5Florida Panthers LawEnforcement Night 6A View from the Bench 7Scholarship Now Open 8 School Board Contract Update 9Legal Activity Report 9 BCPBA Endorsements 9In Memoriam 11Member Marketplace 11
Contents
Get in TouchWriteLetters to the EditorBroward County PBA2650 West State Road 84Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312Email [email protected] 954-583-0405Twitter @gobcpba
Letters or articles submitted must include the writers’ true full name, address and daytime phone number. Any letters or articles submitted for publication must be accompanied by a statement giving permission to publish. The Broward County PBA reserves the right of the Executive Board or Editor to amend or to add an editor’s comment to any article or letter submitted. For informa-tion about how to submit an article, please contact the editor.
The Official Publication of the Broward County PBA(A Charter of the Florida PBA)2650 West State Road 84Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312
Telephone: 954-584-7600Fax: 954-583-0405
Editor: Tina KoenigEmail [email protected]
The Broward Centurion ispublished by the Broward County Police Benevolent Association for the sole benefit of its members. The Broward Centurion isdedicated to the advancement of the law enforcement profession through better and strongercommunity relations. The opin-ions expressed in the publication of The Broward Centurion are not necessarily those of the Broward County PBA, its staff, Executive Board or the Board of Directors.
Page 2 - The Broward Centurion March 2015 - bcpba.org
Meet Your PBA StaffOffice Manager/Detail Coordinator
KimReceptionist
MaryannMembership
AnnLegal Assistant
IreneDirector of Communications
TinaGeneral Counsel
Julio
Office hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
The Broward Centurion is published 12 times a year and distributed to over 3,000 County PBA members and associates.
Advertising rates effective 1/1/15Business card ad $100.00 One-quarter page ad $200.00 One-half page ad $350.00 Full page ad $600.00
On the Cover: Pro Police rally held in Cleveland.
Above: Law enforcement students from Florida Technical College visit the PBA. Pictured from left to right are: Allana Raghoonauth, Thomas Bruns, Reyanna Raghoonauth, Jodi-Ann Seymour, Jessica Pena, Jacqueline Cooper and Broward PBA Secretary, Lee Martin.
Prices are for b/w; add 10% per month for color. An advertising agreement must be signed and all ads prepaid before insertion. The minimum agreement period is three (3) issues. Member Marketplace $100/year.
Advertisement in this publication does not imply endorsement by the Broward County PBA unless otherwise specified.
Jeff Marano
bcpba.org - The Broward Centurion March 2015 - Page 3
President’s Message
Board of DirectorsBSO – At Large (LE)
Kevin Bolling Meghan Brooks
Bob LahiffVince Marlin
Chris PalamaraRalph Romb
Jerry Vosburgh
BSO – District (LE)Allen Adkins
Christopher BradleyAnthony Cenno
Kelli CovetArmand Demosthenes
Neil DodgeRich Engels
Mike HenckenDean Mirra
James PedreArt Perry
Robert PetoskeyAimee RussoEric Swenson
BSO (Lts)Jeff Morse
Broward CountyDistrict SchoolBoard PoliceRich Orzech
Coconut Creek
Dan Eberly Joe Gallman
Coconut Creek (Sgts)
Fred Shelton
Coconut Creek (Lts) John Leonard
Hallandale BeachTodd Crevier Marc Dady
Mike McKenziePietro Roccisano - Alt.
Hillsboro BeachDavid Clark
HollywoodDerik Alexander Steven Bolger Dan Bromley
Richard LosenbeckTony Fernandez - Alt.
Lauderhill (Lts)Gregory Solowsky
Lighthouse PointChris Oh
Carmen Roldan
Margate (Lts & Capts)Jonathan Shaw
MiramarGeorge Mankowski
Lonnie NixThomas Tiberio
Lawrence Calicchio - Alt. Adam Lerner - Alt.
Pembroke PinesDan Donato
Adam Feiner Chris Grant
Sea Ranch LakesRon Stabile
SunriseJoel Schiller
Sunrise (Lts)Craig Cardinale
Wilton ManorsNicholas FiaccoBonnie OwensFrank Pilewski
Legislative CoordinatorChris Palamara
Immediate Past PresidentPat Hanrahan
Past PresidentsDick Brickman
Steve Bias
Executive BoardPresident
Jeff Marano
Senior Vice PresidentDebbie Reggio
Vice PresidentRodney Skirvin
TreasurerDrew Brooks
SecretaryLee Martin
Members:
It seems that the Broward County School’s Resident On Campus Program or ROCS Program continues to be an issue under fire by some public bashers. (Just like other benefits or perks law enforcement have either obtained or bargained for in the past.) The only problem is that no one can find any downside to having a sworn law enforcement officer, trooper, or deputy on school grounds. Clearly the minor cost is greatly outweighed by the benefit of having a resident officer on campus. The decision to discontinue the program by the “committee” was based on skewed data and incorrect facts. The one statistic that can’t be measured is the number of crimes on school grounds that are prevented because of the ROCS Program. The issue will be going before school board members on February 18, 2015.
The time and location will be on our website and posted to social media as soon as we know. The State of Florida legislative ses-sion kicks off on March 3, 2015. The Broward County PBA will coordinate ef-forts with our Tallahassee staff, and other PBAs throughout the state to ensure a constant presence at both house and sen-ate committee meetings. We will use all resources available to monitor agendas while both are in session debates. Please check the Broward PBA website, visit our Facebook page and monitor @goBCPBA on Twitter dur-ing the session for weekly Tallahassee legislative updates. Thanks,
New & ReinstatedMembers
Broward Sheriff’s OfficeAnthony AkhavanTiberio BarbosaMatthew CowartJustin ForsbergSemaj Jackson
Coconut Creek P.D.Christian FloresJonathon Key
Christopher LewisLance Morgan
Hollywood P.D.Jonathan BalutaTerrence ButlerShaun Dietrich
Allen PenaXavier Pastrana Santiago
Andre Silva
Miramar P.D.Dwayne D’Haiti
Oscar Kramp
Seminole P.D.Frank LiCata
Retired MembersBroward Sheriff’s Office
Vince Marlin
Page 4 - The Broward Centurion March 2015 - bcpba.org
Inside BSOThe following are the results calculated from the 413surveys submitted.
By Senior Vice President,Debbie Reggio
1st Priority: Wages
2nd Priority: Insurance Benefits
3rd Priority: Post-Retirement Health Account
4th Priority: Holiday Pay for Hours Worked
5th Priority: Increase Comp Time Cap and
6th Priority: Promotional Oppor-tunities
The remaining numbered items are a list of additional comments from the surveys. I wanted to make sure your voices were heard and posted.
Please be advised that some of these issues are not contract related and need to be handled in another form. I thank everyone for their input.
1. Raise Dive Team Supplement equal to Dade Co. or Swat. ***Brought up by 2 people
2. Increase life insurance (Term Policy).
3. Availability to cash in hours 80 sick leave in December.
4. Personal Day and Bonus Day for hours worked (12). ***Brought up by 17 people
5. Excess of sick leave to be donated to the sick leave pool for employees with severe illness or cash out excess sick leave. ***Brought up by 2 people
6. Eliminating the zone fee for having a take home vehicle out of the county, gas has gone down. ***Brought up by 34 people
7. When donating time to others who are sick, sick time should be used not annual or holiday leave.
8. Increase annual leave benefit by 40 hours after 20 years of service.
9. New training facility.
10. Would like to have choices of insur-ance companies and be able to opt out and receive supplement. *** Brought up by 5 people
11. If you do not call out sick for 1 year have the option to move 40 hours of sick leave to vacation.
12. Increase vacation cap. ***Brought up by 5 people
13. Increase sick leave cap. ***Brought up by 5 people
14. Increase K-9 supplement.
15. Don’t lose overtime hours, due to on duty injuries resulting in workman’s comp hours or no work or light duty status.
16. Get rid of Coventry. ***Brought up by 4 people
17. Doctors are dropping Coventry.
18. Add workout time into work schedule.
19. Don’t agree to agility test.
20. Do away with the 12 hour shifts. ***Brought up by 4 people
21. Saturday as the alternate day so everyone has part of two weekends a month.
22. Training is for one week straight not broken up.
23. Overtime for training Alpha Shift.
24. Sell time before losing it over the cap.
25. Increase sick leave, post retirement buy out.
26. Separation of Dep. and Sgt.’s unit into two bargaining units. ***Brought up by 2 people
27. Increase Detectives supplement pay and make equal to Swat and FTD pay. ***Brought up by 3 people
28. Equal gas fees for all employees.
29. Sheriff needs to provide more than one option for health insurance. ***Brought up by 2 people
30. No increased payment for employ-ees to keep health benefits. This will offset any raise.
31. Restore Corporal position/career development for rank and file.
32. Make details pension free of de-ductions. ***Brought up by 3 people
33. Ability to choose district annually.
34. Buy back time, sick and annual.
Survey Results: BSO Deputiesand Sergeants 2015-2018 Contract
bcpba.org - The Broward Centurion March 2015 - Page 5
In my BSO travels, there have been numerous workplace quality issues, clarification of contract language issues, and great ideas shared by our members. Recently, in a District 54 bravo shift roll call, two issues came to light. First, a member wanted to know why we were required to give our social secu-rity number when dealing with workers compensation doctors. I immediately met with Major Wagner. After several phone calls, we were informed that an individual’s SSN is paramount to en-sure that the correct medical records are collected when gathering medical files. Remember that any previous medical records will be accessible by the work-ers compensation doctor for treatment purposes. The second issue this month dealt with the lack of acknowledgement of transfer requests. All transfer requests go through Colonel Pollock’s office. However, there was no confirmation procedure in place to let a member know if their transfer request was received. I met with Colonel Pollock. He has directed Vicki Petersen to send a confirmation email stating that the request was received by his office. Re-member: Should you not hear anything after 2 weeks from filing it, please email Vicki Petersen for assistance. Our collective energy can be the force to enact positive change and edu-cate us on every process. May we love each other, protect each other, and build bonds with each other that no force can penetrate. I love you all!
On the Road with Secretary Lee Martin
Lee Martin
54. Sworn positions for deputies in-jured in the line of duty and are unable to obtain a disability pension, and are unable to go back to the road. Don’t force deputies to leave or take a demo-tion.
55. PBA should have representation for deputies injured in the line of duty just like you do for deputies involved in shootings and I. A.
56. Add language to the contract to ei-ther have BSO fund additional/current 3% FRS contribution and or exempt BSO from any future FRS % increases. ***Brought up by 2 people
57. Why don’t we ever focus more on Post-Retirement Health Account, it’s our biggest monthly bill at retirement!
58. No transfers from anywhere with-out progressive discipline. ***Brought up by 2 people
59. Increase the funding for the college tuition and book fund.
60. Compensation for specialized unit supervisor, (e.g. CI Sgt.’s) answering calls and dispatching detectives off duty.
61. Fund Allocation to reduce dues responsible by covered employees if possible.
62. Additional pay to the new unit, the Quick Response Field Force which is in the developing stage and will be a test for this unit.
We will now move forward in setting up contract negotiations with the Sher-iff’s personnel and keep you updated. As always it is an open forum and you are able to attended and observe the process.
35. Increase pay for motors.
36. More comfortable uniforms.
37. A COLA is not a raise.
38. Seniority movement of positions.
39. Stipend given for not using BSO insurance.
40. A vest that would allow us to carry some of the tools in our gun belt. Thisis convenient for health reasons andeven safety; we could carry first aid emergency tools there: Tourniquet, etc.
41. Salary contingency if Gov. Scott takes more than 3%. The additional cut should come back to us since thatmoney is already allotted.
42. Increase detail pay.
43. Make the 12 hour shift a contractual agreement.
44. Have a 12 hour Charlie Shift. ***Brought up by 2 people
45. Look at Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office take home vehicle policy.
46. The Membership should vote on the Executive Board Officer.
47. Marked Emergency vehicles should be permitted in HOV lanes where they are both a deterrent and can safely assist stranded motorists.
48. If the union and agency would takea common sense stand to supportamending current legislation something may get accomplished.
49. Assignment pay for administrative Sergeants. ***Brought up by 2 people
50. Please support change in Sgt.’s test requirement from 5 years of BSO experience to 5 years total enforcement experience.
51. Additional language that would pro-hibit ties. That is additional pointsfor years of experience, education, etc.
52. Make specialized units a permanent position. Not one that can be taken at the whim of the command.
53. Use of cars in Palm Beach County.
Page 6 - The Broward Centurion March 2015 - bcpba.org
bcpba.org - The Broward Centurion March 2015 - Page 7
A Viewfrom
the BenchChief Judge Peter Weinstein
Judge Peter M. Weinstein was ap-pointed to the 17th Judicial Circuit bench in 1998. He was elected, unop-posed, to his second two-year term as Chief Judge in July, 2013. The 17th Judicial Circuit serves the citizens of Broward County, Florida, and is the second largest jurisdiction in the State with a population of over 1.6 mil-lion residents. The Circuit utilizes the services of 90 full time judges. Judge Weinstein received his Bachelor’s Degree from New York University and his Juris Doctorate De-gree from Brooklyn Law School. He served as a legal officer in the United States Army, as a prosecutor for Broward County, and was in private practice for many years during which time he also served in the Florida State Legislature. Judge Weinstein was elected to the Florida Senate in 1982 and served there for 14 years. He was one of the major authors of the Law Enforce-ment Officer’s Bill of Rights. He also co-sponsored the Alu-O’Hara Public Safety Act, named after officers Jo-seph Alu and his fellow injured officer James O’Hara. The Alu-O’Hara Pub-lic Safety Act guarantees that officers, firefighters and corrections officers and their families continue to receive health benefits after a catastrophic, on-the-job injury as long as that injury occurred as a result of the officer’s response to an emergency.
staffed. I also make it a point to handle cases if I don’t have meetings to attend. I take cases in the foreclosure, general civil, probate and criminal divisions as well as the specialty courts. One of the specialty courts I am particularly proud of is the Veteran’s Court, which was established a few years ago. Eligible veterans can go through the Veteran’s Court program and receive criti-cal services that they need including drug treatment, psychological treatment for PTSD and rehabilitation services that may result in a dismissal of their charges when they’ve completed the program. Do you have any advice for officers who will appear before the court?Every one of the judges serves in the first appearance court. Anyone who is arrested, and who does not bond out, is entitled to appear before the court within 24 hours. I wish that officers would take special care with these cases. They should have a complete probable cause affidavit that is legible so the judge can read it. Take your time and be scrupulously honest. The judge has to be able to read it and know what happened.
What is your biggest challenge? There are a large number of domestic violence cases, both criminal and civil in-junctions. The size of the dockets and the complexity of the cases is overwhelming.
What is your favorite part of the job?Primarily, working with my colleagues on the bench. I have also enjoyed working with the County Commission regarding the construction of the new Courthouse. I love representing the 17th Circuit, interfacing with various stakeholders and constituents such as the legislature, bar associations and public.
Why did you pursue law as a career?I worked in my father’s law office begin-ning at age 13. I loved working with him and accompanied him to court. We lived in Queens, New York. He was in general practice and was also in the NY State legislature. He later became a trial judge and appellate court judge. He even has a Wikipedia entry, Moses Weinstein. Years later, when I was in college, I spent three summers as a replacement bailiff in the New York State Court of claims. That is a special court set up just to hear claims against the State of New York. Even at an early age, I worked with judges and the courts.
What motivated you to enter public service? My first job was in public service. I had just begun my career as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens, NY. I was only on the job for three weeks before I received another job offer that I couldn’t refuse. The job paid for food, clothing, housing as well as my salary. It was an invitation from the President and a call to active duty in the Army. I quickly became legal officer to a 10,000 per-son brigade. I loved that job too—just not wearing green every day. I’ve been working in the public sector for most of my life.
What is the role of the Chief Judge? The Chief Judge is chosen by an elec-tion of every judge on the circuit every two years and acts as the chief admin-istrator of the 17th Judicial Circuit. The Chief Judge makes all judicial assign-ments, deals with the appellate court, the Florida Supreme Court, meets with the Chief Justice, and interfaces with the public. It is the role of the Chief Judge to make sure each division is appropriately
Chief Judge Peter Weinstein
Page 8 - The Broward Centurion March 2015 - bcpba.org
Broward PBAScholarship Applications
Deadline April 15, 2015 at 4:30 pm
The Broward County PBA Scholar-ship Committee is now accepting applications. The application dead-line is April 15, 2015 at 4:30pm.
Please read the rules and eligibility requirements and download theapplication at:
http://www.bcpba.org/scholarship_awards.html
Applicants can phone the PBA office to have a PDF version of the appli-cation emailed or faxed to them.
To be eligible, all participants must:
1. Be the son or daughter of a Broward County PBA member who has at least two years membership, and is currently a member in good standing.
2. Be, or plan to be, a part-time or full-time student at an accredited two- or four-year college oruniversity.
4. Include an essay of no more than 500 words that answers the follow-ing question: With the possibility of Social Security not being there for you when you reach that age, how will you prepare financially for your retirement?
5.The completed application packet and essay should be mailed or faxed to:
Broward County PBAScholarship Committee2650 West State Road 84Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312Fax (954) 583-0405
Applicants should realize that many scholarships are based on financial need as well as merit. The information furnished will be kept strictly confidential.
This scholarship is given once a year. The deadline for submission is April 15, 2015 (by 4:30 pm).
3. Meet the following grade and test criteria:
• An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher• An SAT score of 1,350 or higher• An ACT composite score of 20
or higher Your Dream Home
K E L L E R W I L L I A M SR E A L T Y
Troy Wilson, Realtor (954) 818-609216 Year Broward LEOBroward PBA [email protected] www.TroySellsBroward.com
25% commission rebate onall closed transactions forBroward PBA members
and their families
bcpba.org - The Broward Centurion March 2015 - Page 9
Securities offered solely through Ameritas Investment Corp. (AIC). Member FINRA/SIPC. AIC and Database Financial Services, Inc. are notaffiliated. Additional products and services may be available through Database Financial Services, Inc. that are not offered through AIC.
The Professionals at DFS can help you secure a comfortable and successful retirement!
• Do I understand the value of my retirement plan?• Do I understand all of the options in my retirement plan?• Do I know how the retirement plan option I choose can have long-term consequences on my retirement income?• Do I understand how to utilize my Qualified Dollars, i.e., DROP, 457 Plan, IRAs or 401(k)s without IRS Penalties?
DATABASE FINANCIAL SERVICES1004 COLLIER CENTER WAY #100, NAPLES, FL 34110
Call & Schedule a FREE Personal Consultation!Jim Fondo 1-954-650-7719 or Ed Bennett 1-954-290-4000
Coconut CreekJoshua Rydell
City Commission District E
Deerfield BeachJoseph Miller - Dist 1Ben Preston - Dist 2
MiramarMaxwell Chambers - Seat 1
Darline Riggs - Seat 4Lori Moseley - Mayor
Vote thePBA Way
Legal ActivityReport
The Broward County PBA opened 20 new cases in Janu-ary and closed 13 cases. As of January 31, 2015 there were a total of 201 cases pending.
Contract Update The Broward County School Board Police bargaining unit passed their proposed collec-tive bargaining agreement for the year 2014-2015. The agreement will now be presented before the School Board for a vote.
Page 10 - The Broward Centurion March 2015 - bcpba.org
bcpba.org - The Broward Centurion March 2015 - Page 11
911Calling all Cars & Trucks
AUTOMOTIVE CONSULTANTS USA, INC.Auto Broker For All Makes & Models
Serving Police Officers for over 30 YearsRonald R. Schembri, President
Office(954) 584-8220
Cell(954) 682-3000
• Licensed/Insured• Trimming• Removal• Stump Grinding
Office: 954-345-1415Cell: 954-520-5087P.O. Box 771255Coral Springs, FL 33077
KEVIN BOLLINGFree Estimates
1440 Coral Ridge DriveSuite 135Coral Springs, FL 33071
Phone: (954) 345-8337Fax: (954) 753-9121Email: [email protected]
Steve Adelman
Custom EmbroideryScreen Printing
Expert Team 1 RealtyTony Pineda, Broker1101 NW 114 AvenuePlantation, Florida 33323
Cell: [email protected]
Retired Law Enforcement
Member Marketplace Open to Active PBA Members
Troy Wilson, Realtor16 Year Broward LEO Broward PBA Member(954) 818-6092 [email protected]
Buying, Selling or Renting?25% commission rebate on all closed transactions
for Broward PBA members and their families
K E L L E R W I L L I A M SR E A L T Y
Susanne R. Mealer, LCSW, CHtTrauma & Abuse Specialistwww.AbuseTraumaLossTherapy.com
Specializing in:Trauma & PTSD, DissociationAcute Stress ReactionAvoidance, Loss & AbuseLaw Enforcement, Fire FightersMilitary and Other First Responders
[email protected] Orange Drive, Suite 265, Davie, FL 33330
(954) 642-6776
In March We RememberJohn Clifton
Dania P.D. 3/7/2014
Worth EdwardsSheriff’s Office 3/15/1980
Stephen RouseFHP Trooper 3/28/1987
Broward County Police Benevolent Association
2650 West State Road 84Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
©2015 Broward County PBA
NONPROFIT ORG.U S POSTAGE
PAID WEST PALM BEACH, FL
PERMIT NO. 1946
