Political Action

POLICIES

PURPOSE – In order to ensure the safety and security of our members, the Long Beach Police Officers Association (LBPOA) shall participate in the elective process through political endorsements. Endorsements are intended to enhance the viability of the LBPOA, the LBPD, and the City of Long Beach as a whole. Endorsements made by the LBPOA are on behalf of the organization, and they are only recommendations. Every individual association member has the right to vote for the candidate or cause of his/her own choosing.

GENERAL POLICY – All qualified candidates and the organizing committees for the appropriate ballot measures/referendums shall be eligible to seek the LBPOA endorsement. Candidates may be invited to an interview with the LBPOA Political Action Committee (PAC) in order for the candidate to articulate his/her position on items of interest to the membership and importance to the City of Long Beach. Directors will also be able to clarify the qualifications of each candidate. Interviews will normally be video recorded and the recordings are subject to the control of the LBPOA. The LBPOA Political Action Committee will make all final endorsement decisions, and their actions can include:

An endorsement of one candidate or cause;
Dual endorsements;
No endorsement; or
A listing of candidates who collectively support issues important to the LBPOA membership.

The LBPOA President or his/her selected designee will contact the candidate who obtains the LBPOA endorsement. Endorsements will be made public utilizing the LBPOA website and/or a written statement on LBPOA letterhead. The written statement may be reprinted and published by the candidate or his/her political committee. The text of the statement should be prepared and approved by the LBPOA President.

The LBPOA reserves the right to rescind its endorsement of any candidate or cause should circumstances arise whereby the previously given endorsement would prove detrimental to the membership or the community. In the event that an endorsement is rescinded, the LBPOA President will notify the effected candidate or organizing committee in writing.

CRITERIA FOR ENDORSEMENT – The following criteria may be used in determining whether a candidate will receive an LBPOA endorsement:

Character and personal integrity
Government leadership positions and committee assignments
Bill sponsorship and past support for legislation
Ability to conduct a viable campaign
Work experience and community involvement
General knowledge of public safety and officer safety issues
Position on current law enforcement and labor issues
Opinions of other public safety groups
Completed questionnaire provided by the LBPOA (if applicable)
Personal interview conducted by the LBPOA