BRIAN R. MARVEL
PORAC President
Happy new year! I hope this holiday season was filled with joy, rest and reflection.
I want to start this message with a heartfelt thank-you for reelecting me as your president. Your continued trust in my leadership is something I do not take for granted.
Leading PORAC is a profound honor. It’s a responsibility that deepens with every year and renews my determination to keep pushing forward — to make PORAC stronger, more resilient and more effective in the work we do for you. As I enter my next term, I am committed to continue fighting to ensure the rank-and-file’s voice is heard, our profession’s interests are represented and our members’ rights are protected.
2025 reinforced the need to lead with adaptability and unity. Despite legislative challenges and debates on the future of policing, PORAC has met every challenge with clarity, professionalism and purpose. As we step into 2026, PORAC remains steadfast in advancing our members’ interests and enhancing public safety across California and the nation. Our strategic vision centers on strengthening our advocacy efforts, expanding member benefits and investing in professional development to maintain PORAC’s role as the premier, unparalleled voice of law enforcement.
With guidance from our Board of Directors and chapter presidents, we have assembled an exceptional team of advisors, consultants and staff — each dedicated to maximizing the value of PORAC membership and ensuring every decision we make directly benefits you and public safety. Membership truly has its benefits. We are the only organization that makes our nationally acclaimed trusts available to law enforcement across all 50 states, delivering unparalleled protection and value. Combined with our legislative victories and communications improvements, every initiative is designed to protect and elevate the profession while delivering the highest-quality resources at the lowest possible cost.
Our mission is clear: to give you every advantage — in the field, at the bargaining table, in the Legislature and in the court of public opinion. We are working on your behalf day in and day out to protect your interests, strengthen your benefits and uphold the respect that peace officers have earned through service and sacrifice.
Supporting Recruitment and Expanding Membership
One of our top priorities this year is to grow our membership through a focused recruitment and retention strategy. Year over year, PORAC’s membership has increased, which is a direct reflection of the unmatched value, trust and credibility that our organization provides.
I took office eight years ago, and since then PORAC has welcomed more than 17,500 new members (now totaling 87,241) and 30 associations (now totaling 963). This momentum is no accident; it’s the direct result of the professionalism, transparency and commitment to service that define us.
As we grow our ranks, our 2026 motto is clear: One Voice, One PORAC. Only by speaking with one strong, unified voice can we continue to win critical battles in Sacramento, carry California’s perspective to Washington and expand our influence through the Alliance of Law Enforcement Associations — a true West Coast voice for cops, never bought or sold for political favors or appointments.
Every new association strengthens our collective voice and expands our influence. When associations return to PORAC after time away, it reaffirms what we’ve always known: there is no substitute for what this organization offers — not only in benefits and protection, but in our leadership for the long-term health of the law enforcement profession.
Vice President Ben Therriault continues to lead our membership recruitment efforts, helping associations of all sizes realize that PORAC is not just an organization — it’s a community, a family. Our goal this year is to be even more proactive in these efforts.
As I mentioned last month, I encourage you and your local chapters to actively seek out opportunities to advance PORAC’s mission and connect with nonmember departments and associations to spread the word about what PORAC has to offer. Especially at a time when officer morale is low, and it feels like we are getting caught in the crosshairs of other people’s battles, showing up as a united front in this moment is the best way to demonstrate PORAC’s value and how we can come together to achieve real improvements in our profession, our benefits and working conditions.
Growing Our Influence Across the State and Nation
Our influence today extends far beyond California. We are shaping national conversations on retirement benefits, consent decree reform and the responsible implementation and use of technology in policing. PORAC is not just a participant in policy debates but a nationally respected driver of them. That’s a testament to our staff, our leadership and our members who believe in what we stand for.
Looking ahead, I am optimistic about our continued progress at both the state and national levels. We have a long road ahead, but united, we will rise to every challenge and overcome it.
Let’s make 2026 our strongest year yet. Stay safe, stay strong and thank you for your dedication to PORAC.