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CCSO 34th Annual Conference Highlights – Commitment to Members, Fiscal Strength, and Advocacy:
The California Correctional Supervisors Organization (CCSO) recently concluded its 34th Annual Conference, bringing together Chapter Presidents, labor representatives, executive leadership, and members from across the state from April 22 to April 25, 2026. The conference brought together education and strategic planning to focus on the future of our organization and the supervisors we represent.
Throughout the conference, one message remained clear: CCSO is moving forward with purpose, transparency, and fiscal responsibility while continuing to aggressively advocate for the rights and protections of excluded employees statewide.
Under the leadership of our new State President, Gilbert Valenzuela, and the State Board of Directors, CCSO implemented significant cost-saving measures designed to ensure long-term organizational stability. One of the most notable changes was the discontinuation of the Keynotes Magazine and the launch of a digital magazine at a fraction of the cost. Additional reductions were achieved through the selection of more cost-effective conference venues and the restructuring of administrative operations, collectively lowering monthly overhead.
These strategic adjustments have already enabled CCSO to meet major short-term financial benchmarks in just 4 months. Leadership reports the organization is now on a clear trajectory toward full financial recovery by 2027.
State President Valenzuela emphasized that while CCSO remains committed to advocating for equitable treatment and compensation for supervisors, members should remain cautious of unrealistic promises made by outside organizations regarding ratified Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for excluded employees. Under current California law, excluded employees do not possess bargaining rights. CCSO continues to actively lobby legislators for statutory changes but remains committed to honesty and transparency with its membership rather than making promises that current law cannot legally support.
Transparency and communication remain top priorities for CCSO. To strengthen engagement and keep members informed, CCSO is implementing a new structured communication plan in which quarterly State Board meetings will be followed by video briefings with Chapter Presidents. This initiative is designed to ensure that timely, accurate, and consistent information is shared with members throughout the state.
Recruitment efforts are also expanding. CCSO leadership is encouraging Chapter Presidents to identify newly promoted supervisors so the organization can formally welcome them, provide support, and educate them on the benefits of CCSO membership.
Legal Advocacy and Member Protection:
Labor Representative Mike Romero continues to play a critical role in advocating for member safety and workplace protections. His leadership was recently demonstrated during efforts regarding DAPO office safety concerns, which ultimately led to a state senator inspecting and addressing the issues firsthand.
CCSO leadership reiterated the importance of members understanding their rights under the Excluded Employees Bill of Rights, particularly regarding workload changes and management accountability.
Legal and Security Advisory:
CCSO’s legal team is currently pursuing litigation against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) involving alleged Fourth Amendment violations, including false imprisonment and battery. The case stems from an incident in which a supervisor was reportedly physically prevented from leaving an Office of Internal Affairs (OIA) interview.
CCSO strongly advises all members to request legal representation immediately during any investigative interview, regardless of how minor the matter may initially appear.
Leadership also issued a serious reminder regarding information security and social media conduct. Supervisors were recently arrested and faced significant bail amounts after allegedly sharing confidential information with unauthorized individuals. Members were warned about the long-term career consequences associated with “Brady List” findings, particularly findings involving dishonesty or lack of truthfulness, which can permanently impact employment opportunities both inside and outside CDCR.
Members are encouraged to consult CCSO before accepting any settlement agreement containing language related to honesty or truthfulness findings.
Benefits and Organizational Updates:
CCSO also provided several important organizational and member benefit updates:
- Rumors regarding CCSO’s departure from PORAC are unfounded. Peace Officers Research Association of California Vice President Ben Therriault provided an update reaffirming PORAC’s commitment to a long-standing partnership with CCSO, while also exploring future growth opportunities, including expanded membership options for non-sworn staff and potential HMO benefit offerings.
- CLEA representatives emphasized that CLEA continues to provide significant member benefits at an affordable monthly cost of $36.50, which includes a paycheck protection plan offering up to $10,000 per month in coverage and a $65,000 death benefit.
- Attorney Brandi Harper reminded members to exercise professionalism on social media platforms. While CDCR cannot legally demand personal passwords, supervisors should avoid posting about institutional incidents, even humorously, and should never allow others to wear official uniforms in social media content or monetized online platforms.
CCSO leadership reaffirmed its commitment to protecting supervisors, strengthening the organization’s financial future, and ensuring members receive honest representation, aggressive advocacy, and transparent communication moving forward.
IMPORTANT! KEEP YOUR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION CURRENT:
It’s crucial to keep your membership details up to date! Outdated information can prevent us from contacting you with important updates or from correctly processing benefits. Please take a moment to ensure your information is accurate and up to date—reach out to confirm today!
ANOTHER IMPORTANT REMINDER:
CCSO provides paycheck protection through the California Law Enforcement Association (CLEA), offering peace of mind in case of an accident or injury. Please note that CLEA dues will increase by $0.50 July 1, 2026. Custody staff can access this valuable coverage for just
$36.50 per month, while non-custody staff can enroll for $35.50 per month. For more information, please contact the CCSO Office, and our CLEA representative will get in touch to address any questions.
Chapter Representatives: Please make sure your members are informed about this excellent benefit available to all CCSO members.
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