Message From the President

To begin, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our members and colleagues who were recognized for their heroism and courage at the CDCR’s 39th annual Medal of Valor awards ceremony in September. We applaud all the medal recipients for going above and beyond in service to their institutions and communities. For more on the ceremony and honorees, read Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer Mary Towe’s feature.

I hope this message finds you and your families well. We’ve just come out of the “dog days” of summer, and I hope all of you were able to enjoy some quality time with loved ones. This time of year often brings a renewed focus as we prepare for the last stretch of the year. It’s important to continue prioritizing your physical and mental well-being, both on and off the job. I hope summer gave you a chance to recharge, and that you’re feeling ready for the opportunities this season brings.

The CCSO family suffered a tremendous loss when our founding president, Rich Tatum, passed away at the age of 77 on February 6. I want to express my deepest gratitude for his vision and determination in putting this group together and building it into a strong and successful organization. I can hardly imagine the many battles he had to fight along the way, the ups and downs he endured, the pushback and setbacks he faced throughout the decades of his presidency.

I trust that you had a wonderful holiday season and that you rang in 2024 surrounded by your friends and loved ones. I wish you all peace, prosperity and good health as we embark on a new year that will undoubtedly be filled with challenges as well as opportunities. The new year is a time for reflecting on our past achievements and looking toward the future of our great organization.

I am honored to address you as we reflect on the tremendous strides we’ve made together as an organization. The recent “walk time” case victory, the 6.25% salary increase and the 1% longevity resolution all stand as testaments to the dedication and perseverance of our members. As we enter the holiday season, these victories bring a sense of joy and relief for many of our families.

I hope you and your families have been enjoying summer and staying cool amid the record-high temperatures and heat waves. This time of year is traditionally when many of our members take time off to rest, rejuvenate and spend time with their loved ones. Remember, it’s just as important to take care of yourself physically and mentally off the job as it is on the job, so I hope you have been prioritizing time to relax and have fun.