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. Amid the challenges posed by the rising cost of living, these substantial raises are a beacon of hope for our members. They are a result of the collective efforts of our office, the diligent work of our labor manager Gilbert Valenzuela and our collaborative endeavors with CDCR labor and CalHR. Together, we have navigated complex negotiations to secure these well-deserved pay raises. I hope that as we enter the holiday season, we take the time to appreciate how our hard work has paid off. 

As a result of our recent successes, our strong leadership and the hard work of our members, CCSO has been able to garner the respect we’ve long deserved. We have proven that CCSO is a force, capable of advocating for our members and achieving favorable results. Our commitment to excellence has not only elevated our standing within the law enforcement community, but has also positioned us as a leader among labor organizations. 

Building strong relationships and partnerships has been crucial to our success. Our approach is not one of demands or aggressive requests, but rather a commitment to open and respectful communication. This has allowed us to be heard and respected and, most importantly, achieve positive results for our members.

Financial stability is crucial for any organization’s success, and
I am pleased to report that CCSO is thriving on this front as well. It wasn’t long ago that CCSO was stuck in a place of stagnation due to a lack of investment and vision for what this great organization could be. Thanks to you, our members, as well as our strong and dedicated leadership team, we have been able to make a complete 180 and turn this ship around. 

By strategically managing our resources and making smart financial decisions, CCSO now has stability for the first time in a long time, which has allowed us to provide more top-notch training, strengthen our legal services and make key improvement to CCSO Headquarters. My appreciation for the unwavering support of each and every one of you cannot be overstated.

I am also excited to share that the CCSO Conference was a massive success. We had a packed house in Monterey this year, and it was great to network with one another and celebrate our achievements. I spoke with many members who were thankful that we were all able to gather together again. This year’s Conference was certainly a great opportunity for members to come together, share experiences and engage in discussions that will shape the future of our organization.

Looking ahead, one of our main focuses is working with all the labor groups to make sure they’re receiving the same great benefits. We want to fully represent upper management, our SRN IIs and other excluded employees to help them achieve better benefit packages as well. Nobody should feel left out, and we are dedicated to addressing the needs of every member within our organization.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude for your continued support and dedication. Together, we have achieved significant milestones, and I am confident that our future holds even greater successes. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoys the holiday season. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to CCSO.