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From:Clerk of the Board
To:Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Durfee, Peter; Jessee, Meegan; Kimmelshue, Tod; Kitts, Melissa; Lee,
Lewis; Little, Melissa; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth
Cc:Jessee, Meegan
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: The PORAC Perspective
Date:Monday, February 3, 2025 8:29:58 AM
Please see Board Correspondence -
From: PORAC <info@porac.ccsend.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2025 9:02 AM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net>
Subject: The PORAC Perspective
January 2025
JANUARY 2025
The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) is the preeminent
voice of law enforcement in California. We represent 83,000+ public safety members and
955+ associations, making us the largest law enforcement organization in California and
the largest statewide association in the nation. Our mission is simple: we represent and
protect the rights and benefits of peace officers, as well as advocate for and support
victims of crime.
Continue reading below to learn more about our work to advance the law enforcement
profession and public safety through state and federal advocacy, research, education, and
training.
Heroes on the Front Lines
Thanking Our First Responders for Protecting L.A. During Historic Wildfires
As unprecedented wildfires devastate the greater Los Angeles area, we are reminded of the
incredible courage and dedication of the first responders who are on the front lines protecting
lives, homes and communities. We have been heartened to see the outpouring of support from
community members and our partners in public safety across California and beyond.
“The courage and resilience of California’s first responders is unmatched. They met this moment
with exceptional skill and valor that is nothing short of heroic. We are deeply grateful for their
dedication and sacrifice and remain committed to supporting them in every way possible.” –
Brian R. Marvel, President of PORAC
To the firefighters who have relentlessly battled the fires for nearly a month, the investigators
uncovering causes, and the peace officers safeguarding our communities, we thank you for your
tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to the people of California. Your heroism is a
testament to the strength and bravery of our public safety community, and PORAC stands with
you as you continue this vital work.
Support Our First Responders
All About the Advocacy
PORAC Helps Successfully Restore Dignity in Retirement for
America's Public Servants
This month, PORAC celebrated the signing of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) into
law. This historic, bipartisan legislation repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the
Government Pension Offset (GPO) after decades of tireless advocacy – restoring long-denied
Social Security benefits to millions of peace officers, teachers, firefighters, and public servants
across the country.
“For more than forty years, PORAC has championed the fight to repeal WEP and GPO, which
have unfairly penalized public servants by depriving them of their earned Social Security
benefits. Standing in the White House today, witnessing the President sign the Social Security
Fairness Act into law, was an incredibly proud and humbling moment. I am deeply grateful to the
President, the bill’s authors, our bipartisan coalition of advocates, and all the PORAC leaders
before me who made this momentous achievement possible. This bill becoming law will make a
meaningful and tangible difference for peace officers who will now receive the benefits they’ve
earned, creating financial stability in retirement for those who spent their careers putting the
safety of others above their own.” – Brian R. Marvel, President of PORAC
Learn More
The "R" in PORAC: Research & Insights
New Research Highlights Need to Invest in Mental Health Resources
for Law Enforcement
PORAC recently released its latest research brief shedding light on the unique and significant
mental health challenges faced by law enforcement officers and offering actionable solutions to
support their well-being. The brief is a compilation of the foremost research on officer mental
health and underscores the immense physical and emotional toll that comes with a career in law
enforcement – including intense stress and trauma, leading to elevated rates of anxiety,
depression, PTSD, and suicide. PORAC urges elected officials to invest in increased resources
to protect the mental health of the peace officers who put their lives on the line every day to
protect California’s communities. Key findings from the brief include:
· 83% of officers report experiencing mental health challenges, with 35% reporting
symptoms of PTSD—5x the rate of the general population.
· Suicide claims nearly 3x as many officers as line-of-duty deaths.
· About half of all police officers report knowing a colleague who has taken their own
life.
“The findings in this research brief reinforce what those in law enforcement already know—
these challenges requires a commitment to breaking down stigmas and providing access to
effective mental health resources. We are dedicated to advancing wellness initiatives that equip
peace officers with the tools they need to navigate the emotional demands of the job while
ensuring they feel supported at every step of their careers.” – Manny Alvarez, Executive
Director at California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)
Read the Brief
Addressing Flaws in Racial Profiling Data Analysis
Nation-Leading Expert Identifies Major Flaws in
Racial & Identity Profiling Board's Analysis
Since 2016, the California Department of Justice Racial and Identity Profiling (RIPA) Board has
studied the occurrence of racial profiling in police stops across California. PORAC is deeply
committed to accurately assessing biases in policing and has consistently engaged with the
Board to improve their process and methodology. Unfortunately, the Board has repeatedly
published reports with serious data gaps and analytical flaws. To address these errors, PORAC
released a new whitepaper which identifies three central challenges that have hindered racial
profiling research since its inception:
1. Insufficient Data to Prove Causality: Existing datasets lack key information, such as
whether officers knew an individual’s race or ethnicity prior to initiating a stop.
2. Lack of an Accurate Benchmark: Research lacks an accurate baseline of the racial
and ethnic makeup of the driving population, which makes it impossible to measure
disparities in stops.
3. Inability to Eliminate Alternative Explanations: Elevated stop or arrest rates among
certain populations may be influenced by factors unrelated to officer bias, such as calls
for service.
For an issue as important as racial profiling, it is imperative that these ongoing analytical
shortcomings are addressed before lawmakers use the RIPA Board’s reports as the basis for
new policies.
Read the Whitepaper
"On the Job with PORAC" Podcast
Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement
Each month, PORAC leadership invites expert guests to our “On the Job with PORAC" Podcast
for in-depth conversations about the most pressing issues facing law enforcement and public
safety in California and across the country. In our most recent episode, PORAC President Brian
Marvel and Vice President Ben Therriault sat down with Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., Director
of the Federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office to discuss the pressing
challenges facing law enforcement nationwide – from recruitment and retention to officer health
and wellness and more. The episode unpacks how federal funding, training, resources, and new
technology can help state and local agencies tackle these issues head-on.
“The mantra of collaborative reform in the COPS office is, ‘by the field, for the field’ . . . Because
in the end, that’s what we want to do – make our community safe – and we do that by building
trust.” – Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., Director of the federal Community Oriented
Policing Services (COPS) Office
Listen to the Episode
What Are We Reading?
Click on the below links to check out our recent must-reads:
· The San Francisco Chronicle: Why California is likely to be one of biggest
beneficiaries of new Social Security law
· CBS News: Social Security Fairness Act signed into law by Biden, enhancing retirement
benefits for millions
· The Sacramento Bee: Sacramento County’s overtime spending doubled since 2018 to
$63 million. Why the increase?
· Times of San Diego: Sgt. Anthony Elliott Back on Job, Ready to Be Father Again One
Year After Being Shot in Head
The PORAC Promise: We will work with you. Regardless of who you are or what party or
organization you represent, if you have a genuine interest in improving the law enforcement
profession and making a positive impact on public safety outcomes, we want to hear from you.
Learn more and reach out to our team:
Visit Our Website Listen to the "On the Job" Podcast
Get In Touch Read Our Policy Platform
PORAC | 2940 Advantage Way | Sacramento, CA 95834 US
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