Introduction
San Diego Police Department (SDPD) is the major law enforcement agency in San Diego. The department was established in 1889 and has had a rich history. The establishment of a state of art headquarters in 1938 marked a significant step in the development of SDPD. Prior to this development, the department did not have a physical presence at the City Hall. It operated out of City Hall for a lengthy period of time. The vision of the department is to ensure that its employees feel valued and work closely with the community to demonstrate best practices in policing. The department works hard to ensure that its members foster a high level of public trust and safety in the City. The major goals include reducing violent crimes and ensuring effective policing. The members of the department are represented by San Diego Police Officers Association on matters pertaining to labor relations (SDPOA, n. d).
Establishment of SDPOA
The Association was created in 1912. The union represents about 1850 members of San Diego Police Department (SDPD). About 98% of the members of the Association are from the police force while the rest are professional sworn members of SDPD (SDPOA, n. d).
Benefits of SDPOA
The major role of the union is to assist police officers in San Diego Police Departments on matters related to wages and general working conditions. Improvement of members and their families’ social relations and welfare is also a major responsibility of the Association. In moments of sickness, distress, death, and strives, the Association offers enormous support to the members and their families.
The Association bargains wage increase and improvement of working conditions on behalf of the members.
When the City makes ordinances that affect the wages and welfare of the police officers in the City, it is the responsibility of the Association to appeal and demonstrate that employees’ contractual rights were infringed. The union has, in its history, made several achievements in this regard. For instance, when the City made a ruling to reduce its contribution to employees’ retirement fund, SDPOA appealed on behalf of the City employees.
The Association ensures that members get their retirement benefits in accordance with the law. All members of the police force in the City and other professionals working for San Diego Police Department are entitled to retirement benefits. The Association continually negotiates for increase and timely release of retirement benefits.
SDPOA represents its members in City decision making process. The San Diego City Charter empowers the City to set employee benefits and retirement plans that will apply to all employees. However, the City engages the Association in making such decisions. This ensures that employees take part in making decisions regarding their labor relations through the union (SDPOA, n. d).
The members of the Association are also represented in cases of unfair dismissal by the City. Unfair dismissal happens when an employee’s employment contract is terminated in a manner regarded unfair by law. If the City dismisses an employee in such a manner, the Association seeks to reinstate him through a court process. The Association may also recommend dismissal of an employee if gross misconduct is proven.
What SDPOA has done to its officers and the community?
The Association has played a big role in ensuring that its members are adequately compensated for the services they offer. The retirement benefit systems have been put in place through the initiative of the Association. Compensation of retirement benefits to its members has become more efficient due to San Diego City Employees Retirement System which the City established in partnership with the Association (SDPOA, n. d).
The Association has ensured that the community is engaged in policing activities. The Association uses social media (twitter and Facebook) in keeping in touch with the community. Effective policing is the major gift that the Association has presented to the community.
Reference
San Diego Police Officers Association (SDPOA). (n. d). Web.