Over
the past 30 years, nobody has fought harder to protect the peace
officers who put their lives on the line protecting our communities
than the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs (COPS). COPS is
the most distinguished and recognized law enforcement organization in
the country.
Founded
in 1975, by cops for cops, the California Organization of Police and
Sheriffs has worked to protect public safety officers and get tough on
criminals. We were leaders in spearheading the Peace Officers Bill of
Rights Act (POBRA). When Governor Jerry Brown signed POBRA into law in
1976, California peace officers finally received the rights of due
process granted in the U.S. Constitution. Landmark legislation which
continues today, the Peace Officer Bill of Rights benefits the entire
state by professionalizing law enforcement in California and helping to
establish the most competent, highly qualified, best trained and
skilled public safety officers to be of service to you.
Today,
COPS represents the interests of over 100,000 peace officers and their
families and over 1,000,000 citizen members in California, Nevada, and
Hawaii. We provide the “best in the nation” legal defense and labor
representation to peace officers. COPS also works in Sacramento,
California and Washington, D.C. to support peace officers and their
families, making our state safer and our citizens more secure. We are
working hard to put the “public” back into public safety.
COPS
is proud to serve with the National Coalition of Public Safety Officers
(NCPSO), which represents law enforcement officers throughout the
country.
COPS’
Executive Director, Monty Holden, currently sits as the Vice President
of the Coalition. NCPSO fight for peace officers and the American
people through their efforts in Washington D.C.
COPS
is involved in many community and charitable events each year,
including: Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program for At-Risk Youth
(LEAP), the California Police K-9 Trials, the Police Expo,
Anti-Terrorism Law Enforcement Response Training (ALERT), the Police
Unity Tour for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund,
Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign, scholarships for dependents of peace
officers and many other causes.
COPS
is proud of its rich history. We need your support and invite you to
join us as we look forward to our next 30 years of proud service on the
front lines of public safety.
During
the past three decades COPS has been led by working peace officers. We
acknowledge their roll in working for the betterment of the public
safety of California.
Presidents of COPS
1.
Gerald Crowley, San Francisco Police Officers Association (1975-1980)
2.
Michael Tracy, Long Beach Police Officers Association (1980-1982)
3.
Wendell Phillips, Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs Association (1982-1983)
4.
Paul Chignell, San Francisco Police Officers Association (1983-1984)
5.
Don Brown, Burbank Police Officers Association (1984-2000)
6.
Ed Gray, Upland Police Officers Association (2000-2004)
7.
Gregg Passama, Newark Police Association (2004-2007)
8.
Nicki Woods, Paso Robles POA (2007 - Present)
Vice Presidents of COPS
1.
Tony Amador, Los Angeles Police Protective League (1975-1976)
2.
Howard McKnight, Glendale Police Officers Association (1976-1979)
3.
William Snyder, Inglewood Police Officers Association (1979-1980)
4.
Gerald Crowley, San Francisco Police Officers Association (1980-1981)
5.
Wendell Phillips, Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs Association (1981-1982)
6.
Jerry Pierson, Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (1982-1983)
7.
Michael Tracy, Long Beach Police Officers Association (1983-1983)
8.
Tim Chamberlain, Long Beach Police Officers Association (1983-1990)
9.
Larry Hanshew, Corcoran Police Officers Association (1990-1996)
10.
Mike Scott, Daly City Police Officers Association (1996-2004)
11.
Ed Gray, Upland Police Officers Association (1998-2000)
12.
Nicki Woods, Paso Robles Police Officers Association (2004-2007)
