Thank you for visiting CVPOA.org, the web site for the Chula Vista Police Officers' Association. Check back often for news and updates.

Please view the latest President's Message to hear what I have to say to our members. Thanks for your support.

Fred Rowbotham
President, CVPOA


PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE>

Get news and updates!
Enter your email address:

Twitter Widgets Facebook Widgets
Chula Vista mayoral pay stands out

How to start your neighborhood watch

on Friday, January 20, 2012

VIEW TV SEGMENT >


###

For Cops, Holidays Comes at a Price

By PORAC(Peace Officers Research Association of California)
President Lt. Ron Cottingham

on Saturday, December 24, 2011 at 9:50am

This week, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website highlights a statistic that was likely very startling to many members of our community, but was not much of a surprise to myself and those I work with. According to their chart, as of this week law enforcement fatalities have increased by 18% from this time last year. In addition, firearms-related fatalities are up by 23%, with 65 peace officers succumbing to gun violence. I am the President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), the largest statewide organization of public safety members in the United States, with over 63,000 law enforcement members. We see firsthand the dangers on our streets. The increase in peace officer deaths is intolerable. California public safety officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities.

Our Associations in Cathedral City, Hawthorne, Alhambra, San Diego and most recently Vallejo have all experienced the heartbreak of losing one of their own. We cannot put into words the sorrow felt by these officers' families, colleagues, friends and neighborhoods. These men were pillars of their communities. They were husbands, fathers, brothers, uncles, friends and coaches. Many of you have seen the outpouring of support since Vallejo lost Officer Jim Capoot on November 17th, just a week before we all took time to be with family in celebration of Thanksgiving. He left behind three daughters and a loving wife, not to mention an adoring high school girls' basketball team and a department-worth of close colleagues. The community of Vallejo is still reeling.

During this festive holiday time of year, while many are celebrating the season and enjoying family and friends, for officers it is the most dangerous time of year. New Year's Day, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve have historically been the deadliest days for law enforcement nationally, with an average of 106, 85 and 84 line of duty deaths each day, respectively.

Last week, CNN.com interviewed National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Craig Floyd about the jump in officer deaths, where he stated, "I think this is the strongest anti-government sentiment in our country, similar to the 1970s, the deadliest decade in law enforcement."

While our country and our state are dealing with unprecedented challenges, it is important to remember the primary goal of government is public safety. We understand the economic frustrations as we deal with the worst economy many of us have ever seen and the concomitant responsibility of increased workload. We are neighbors and community members and we want to come together to move forward to keep all of us safe.

As we near the closing of this year and look towards next year, we know that there will continue to be difficulties. Most of our agencies have faced serious budget cuts over the last few years. Our members have worked together to find solutions to the financial woes of their cities, counties and state. However, according to reports from the Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics report and the Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Division, staffing levels are down from 250 officers per 100,000 people in 2008 to a mere 181 officers per 100,000 nationwide.

We are doing everything we can to make the best with what resources we have. But the dangers are real. And if our families aren't safe, nothing else matters. Be safe.

Ron Cottingham is the President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). PORAC was founded in 1953 as a professional federation of local, state and federal law enforcement associations and is the largest law enforcement statewide law enforcement organization in the nation, representing more than 63,000 public safety members and 910 local public safety associations.


###

PRESS RELEASE: Results from Chula Vista PD checkpoint

DUI/DL Enforcement

Chula Vista- On Friday, December 16th, 2011, Officers from the Chula Vista Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver's License checkpoint in the 1000 block of Eastlake Parkway in the City of Chula Vista from 6 PM to 1 AM. During the operation, 2341 cars drove through the checkpoint and officers directly contacted 713 of them. Officers conducted Seven Standard Field Sobriety Tests resulting in 1 driver being arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Officers cited six drivers for driving on a suspended license and six drivers were cited for not having a drivers license. A total of three vehicles were impounded. Seven other drivers received citations for various violations.

The purpose of the checkpoint is to promote public safety; increase awareness of the dangers associated with drinking and driving, and serves as a deterrent to potential impaired and unlicensed drivers.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Chula Vista Police Department will be continuing our efforts to keep drivers in our community safe.

Visit Nixle online article, click HERE for more information.


Copyright 2009 Chula Vista Police Officers' Association