Summer is almost here! As we get ready for the most “San Diego” season of the year, we wind down from another eventful month.
A couple of weeks back, I addressed the incoming academy cadets. During the orientation, I shared the functions of the DSA and about our DSA store. Since then, many of the cadets have stopped by to shop for uniforms and other items needed for their upcoming academy. Best of wishes to all of our future co-workers; I hope you enjoy your academy experience. While I complained about it at the time, I have many fond memories of my academy experience—well, maybe not the running part.
I also spoke with the most recent graduating detentions academy class. I truly enjoy the opportunity to meet our new deputies and hope they see the value in becoming a member of the association. As usual, the majority of the class has already joined on. As I share with every class, I joined the DSA when I graduated the 13th Corrections Academy in 1992 and have been a member since. I never had plans on running for the board or becoming the president of the association, but we don’t always know where our career will lead us.
Back to the DSA store. For those who haven’t been in for a while, we now offer uniform items in addition to gear, DSA logo merchandise, and discounted movie and attraction tickets. Though we have been selling uniform shirts and both approved pant styles, this month we added a second uniform shirt style. This shirt is an Elbeco “dry clean recommended” style and does not have a sewn-in crease. This is one of the approved shirts for detentions academy cadets.
Another recent change at the DSA store is the addition of our new store manager Ken Docken. Ken joins the team bringing with him a wealth of experience from his prior military and retail sales careers. Ken was also a reserve police officer with SDPD during his Naval career. Ken is a self-admitted “gear junkie” and has a strong knowledge base on the items members want to see in the store. You can expect significant changes in the items stocked over the next few months as Ken expands our assortment of product lines. Please stop by, introduce yourself and let Ken know if there is something you specifically want to see in the store.
A couple of weeks back, Matt Clay and I attended the meeting of the “Big 11” in Newport Beach. The “Big 11” is an informal group comprised of the 11 largest public safety associations in California. It rotates throughout the state and the California Association of Highway Patrolman hosted this event. Though only a day-long meeting, it is impressive how much we are able to get accomplished within this group. As you can imagine, pension reform was one of the hotly discussed items. Also on the agenda was discussion about the “Brady list” and how it is handled throughout the state. If nothing else, these meetings affirm the big issues we deal with here are not just local issues. The meeting went well, and we have offered to host the next meeting here in San Diego later this summer.
As the primary elections are only a few weeks away, we are once again supporting our DSA endorsed candidates in their races. In our most recent meeting,we once again discussed the highly contested San Diego mayor’s race. Although we do not patrol the city, San Diego is our county seat and the mayor of San Diego is a significant policy chief in the countywide political scene. After significant debate, we decided to join SDPOA and PORAC in their endorsement of Nathan Fletcher.
The DSA has an existing relationship with Nathan from his tenure in the California Assembly. We’ve been pleased with his ability to rise above partisan squabbles and work with all of those involved in an effort to get results.
Before you go to the polls or fill out your mail-in ballot, we encourage all members to read up on the issues and candidates. As a board, we spend significant time debating the issues and discussing the candidates’ qualifications. It is our consensus that our endorsed candidates best represent the issues important to our members and our profession at large. Please take the time to review these endorsements and consider supporting them in the coming elections.
With May upon us, we prepare to observe the annual peace officer memorial ceremonies in tribute to our partners who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Please keep them in your thoughts as you go about your day. You owe it to them and your family to go home safely at the end of your shift.
In closing, sticking with my plea for wellness, make the time to take care of yourself so you are able to take care of those who depend on you: your family, friends, co-workers, and those we serve. Until next month, be healthy, happy, and safe.