Peace Officers Research Association of California
PORAC has reached an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to ensure California’s law enforcement policies are based on accurate data and fair analysis. In late April, Assembly Bill 284 (Alanis) advanced out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee and headed to the Appropriations Committee. This advancement represents progress in our ongoing efforts to move towards a more honest, transparent process in how the Board assesses racial profiling in California. Read More
This month, many of us will gather to honor our fallen brothers and sisters during memorial ceremonies here in California and in Washington, D.C. These events always leave me with a mix of emotions — grief for those we’ve lost, pride in their service and renewed determination to support those who continue to wear the badge. Standing together, we’re reminded that their sacrifices light the way for our mission today, inspiring us to strengthen our communities and protect one another. Read More
Public safety is paramount. Ensuring our law enforcement officers have the resources and support they need is a shared responsibility. Collective bargaining, when approached with fiscal responsibility and a focus on local control, can be a valuable tool in achieving this goal. However, recent events such as the passage of H.B. 267 in Utah highlight the need for a balanced discussion on how best to support our officers and the communities they serve. Read More
As we mark Women’s History Month, it’s important to acknowledge the vital role women play in law enforcement and examine how we can better support their success in our profession. California has long been at the forefront of advancing women in policing — from Alice Wells becoming the nation’s first policewoman with the LAPD in 1910 to Margaret Adams making history as America’s first female deputy sheriff with L.A. County in 1912. Read More
As we embark on a new year, I’m reminded of the unwavering strength that defines PORAC — our strength in unity. This isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s the fundamental principle guiding us through countless legislative battles, policy discussions and advocacy efforts on behalf of our members and our profession.
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The U.S. Senate has passed the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), marking a historic victory that will finally repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)! These federal provisions have unfairly prevented millions of peace officers, teachers, firefighters and other public servants from collecting their earned Social Security benefits since their implementation in 1983. Read More
As we approach the end of 2024, I’m proud to reflect on PORAC’s many accomplishments this year. Our unwavering commitment to unity, accountability and transparency has solidified PORAC’s role as the preeminent voice for rank-and-file officers in California. Through principled advocacy and collaboration, we advanced critical protections for peace officers and enhanced public safety for all — not only in California but also nationally. Read More
As we approach the end of 2024, I’m filled with a sense of pride and anticipation for what lies ahead. Our organization has achieved remarkable successes this year, and we stand on the cusp of even greater opportunities to shape the future of law enforcement in California and nationally. I want to highlight three critical areas that we need to focus our attention on: PORAC’s upcoming annual Conference, the importance of being an active participant in our democracy and a legislative outlook ahead of the start of next year. Read More
The upcoming primary election on March 5 is a critical opportunity for our profession and public safety. In recent elections and media coverage over the last several years, we have been inundated with anti-police, pro-criminal rhetoric. It has fostered an environment where politicians feel emboldened to undermine and demonize the crucial work of law enforcement agencies, ultimately jeopardizing public safety. Read More
Since the Racial and Identify Profiling Advisory (RIPA) Board’s inception, PORAC has offered to be a good-faith partner. After all, if the board was supposedly created to improve the practice of traffic enforcement, shouldn’t they want to hear from the people who do it? Yet time and again, they show us that they are bad-faith actors. The board often seems to exist to confirm the bias of a majority of its members. The RIPA Board’s lack of understanding about routine police operations is quite frankly unacceptable. Read More