Turning the Tide: Why Your Vote Matters
In LAAPOA’s last e-newsletter, we sounded the alarm on the extreme voter apathy demonstrated by the low turnout seen in Los Angeles and statewide during the June primary election. While the numbers rose slightly from initial reports as more mail-in ballots were counted, by July 6 it was clear that fewer than one-third of California voters — and even a few percent less than that in L.A. County — had participated. Pundits offered plenty of theories about why voters feel disengaged, but instead of the reasons, let’s focus on the results. For peace officers, the dangers of not being involved in the political process are real, and can even be life-or-death.
Understanding President Biden’s Police Reform Executive Order
The historic executive order (EO) signed by President Joe Biden on May 25 regarding police accountability mandates measures for all federal law enforcement agencies and is advisory for state and local agencies. Watch Biden’s press conference here: tinyurl.com/mr3rrrbn. The use-of-force standards set forth in the EO largely follow the lead of California, adopting a necessary standard (consistent with Graham v. Connor) and the de-escalation policies set forth in SB 230. On behalf of PORAC — a statewide partner of LAAPOA — David E. Mastagni worked with PORAC’s leadership to develop recommendations for consideration in the order.
