For those who may not know me, my name is Ben Therriault, and I am a sergeant with the Richmond Police Department. Over the past eight years, I have had the privilege of leading the Richmond Police Officers’ Association as its president. Before being elected vice president, my involvement with PORAC was extensive. I have been on the Executive Board for Region I for the past six months and have served as the Bay Area Chapter director since 2018. While on the Board of Directors, I worked on the Committee on Peace Officer Relations (COPOR) and previously served on the Fiscal Management Committee.

I want to start off by saying how deeply honored I am to have been elected as PORAC’s new vice president and by extending a thank-you to all PORAC members for their participation in the recent election. I am eager to continue the exceptional work that has been the hallmark of this organization.

Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a peace officer. Our profession is not an easy one, and the landscape in which we operate is constantly evolving. This is precisely why being a member of PORAC is so crucial. We need a united voice that stands strong in the face of adversity, advocating for proper levels of resources, training and support to bolster the safety of our officers and the communities we serve.

As I know I’ve shared with many of you, I have a clear vision for what I see as the future of PORAC. At the core of my vision is the belief that we are stronger together. It has never been more challenging to be an officer, which means that it has never been more important for us to work together. That is why, as vice president, I plan to use my experience as the Richmond POA president to focus on boosting our recruitment and retention efforts. Our strength lies in our numbers — and growing our network of fellow officers who know exactly what you’re going through on a day-to-day basis is invaluable. 

An increase in membership also means an increase in PORAC’s ability to advocate for you at the state and national levels. Advocating for policies and legislation that protect our officers and promote public safety will be a cornerstone of my efforts. I am determined to build on PORAC’s success to ensure that our voice is heard loud and clear in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., pushing our influence to even greater heights. 

Finally, I am committed to being an active resource for fellow law enforcement officers at both the statewide and local levels. It is important to me that our members know that I am open and available to them. I believe in leadership through presence and engaging with members on a grassroots level. That means that you’ll start to see me popping up at local meetings and events to check in with our PORAC community — I look forward to seeing you there! 

I want to express my gratitude to each one of you for your unwavering dedication to our profession. Our job has never been more difficult, and if we don’t take care of one another, no one else will. Your commitment and bravery inspire me every day. I am honored to serve as your vice president and am excited to work alongside you in this new capacity to advance PORAC’s mission across California and beyond. I look forward to seeing you out and about in the state.

Thank you for your trust and support.