SPECIAL VO EDITION

Member of COPS Organization of Police & Sheriffs

SAN FRANCISCO POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION To Promote the Ideals, Policies and Accomplishments of the Association and its Members SPECIAL ELECTION EDITION NOVEMBER 1998

Chief Fred Lau Needs A Special Message from Chris Passage of Proposition A Cunnie, President SFPOA hief Fred Lau is the number have been proud to serve my city one law enforcement officer over the past 18 years as a police C in the city. He has the re- I officer and as the President of the sponsibility to do everything he can in Francisco Police Officers' Asso- to make our streets safe, our homes ciation. secure, and our neighborhoods har- During my years on the beat, I saw monious and peaceful. That is a big the San Francisco police department job, and one which requires depend- make great progress in the fight able ranks of top-notch, experienced against crime. It is our excellent of- officers. ficers who have helped us turn the The process of recruiting viable corner. These resourceful women and candidates, screening them thor- men run public safety programs like oughly, training them for six months community policing, bicycle patrol at the academy, and putting them and juvenile outreach. Without such through the rigors of field training innovative officers, these successful and certification is a costly and time programs would be injeopardy. That's Chris Cunnie, President, San Francisco consuming endeavor. It requires sev- why it is vital that San Francisco Police Officers' Association eral hundreds of thousands of dol- keeps the kind of officers who are lars, more than 18 months, and thou- helping to win the fight against crime. they all receive equal pension and sands of man-hours to successfully Unfortunately, our ability to at- disability protections. place just one recruit class onto the Fred Lau, SFPD Chief Of Police tract and retain these officers con- Due to a large surplus in the city's streets. It is anticipated that several most deficient police benefit plans in tinues to be at risk. San Francisco retirement fund, the cost to the city classes per year will need to be gen- the state. Not only do we pool a lesser provides younger police officers (those will be absolutely nothing for at least erated in order to keep up with the number of qualified applicants, but hired since 1976) the lowest pension 15 years. After that, reduction in attrition and resignations over the we also lose many trained and expe- and disability benefits of any other overtime and other savings should next few years. rienced officers to departments that major city in California. offset the minimal costs. Chief Lau needs to recruit only the have better disability provisions. As police officers, our top priority Proposition A has already earned best men and women for the San San Francisco police officers risk is to keep you and your family safe. the support of leaders from every Francisco Police Department, and their lives to serve this city. Chief Lau But in our line of work, we must also community in San Francisco, includ- would expect each one to remain is duty-bound to provide every man consider how to protect our own fami- ing Mayor Willie Brown, Congress- with us for their entire career. The and woman in this department with lies should we be killed or seriously woman Nancy Pelosi, former Mayor current -Tier-II" disability/retirement the best training, education, and injured in the line of duty. Because Frank Jordan, State Senator John plan is a frustrating impediment to equipment necessary to get the job San Francisco provides pension and Burton, Assembly members Carole achieving that goal. It is among the done. He will want to ensure every disability protections so much lower Migden and Kevin Shelley, District officer that they and their families than surrounding communities, the Attorney Terence Hallinan, Board of will be adequately and fairly pro- Department is having difficulty at- Supervisors President Barbara