They make up roughly 11% of peace officers in the United States. They have to overcome discrimination in the field, are thought by some to be “too weak” or “too emotional” to succeed in leadership positions, and often face stress and burnout due to bias, harassment and lack of acceptance. Yet, through it all, women in law enforcement continue to excel in handling hostile situations without excessive force, improving community–police relations and pushing law enforcement toward being a more diverse and united profession. Read More
PORAC Director Profile: Damian Evans
Since joining PORAC more than 22 years ago, Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association (SCLEA) Director-at-Large Damian Evans’ leadership has been put to the test on numerous occasions. But thanks to his team-first attitude and fiery passion for the law enforcement profession, Evans and the SCLEA board of directors have successfully fought against unfair measures and anti-police attacks in order to put law enforcement first. Read More
Chapter Profile: Statewide Chapter
Amid all the chaos brought on by 2020, one of the bright spots from this past year was the formation of PORAC’s Statewide Chapter, made up of eight state associations. Part of the chapter’s charm, President Yolanda Abundiz says, comes from the fact that “we’re all from varying fields and not centrally located, but can all come together and work collaboratively toward a common goal for our membership.” Read More
Capitol Beat – Deadlines, Restrictions and the LEARN Act
February 19 marked the legislative deadline for all new bills to be introduced. While this deadline provides us with an overview of the issues we will be facing, we are always guaranteed new surprises and challenges, as bills are continuously being amended to change the course and impact of the legislation. It is rare for a bill to make it to the governor’s desk in its original form. Read More
Federal Legislation – A Minor Case of Deja Vu
One could be forgiven for looking at a headline from earlier this month — impeachment, acquittal and Donald Trump — and having some confusion on what year it is. On almost the exact anniversary of then-President Donald Trump’s 2020 impeachment acquittal, the United States Senate voted to acquit the former president once again. Read More