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Behind the Badge Foundation Presents Police Suicide: Know the Warning Signs

Behind the Badge Foundation invited you to a one-day training addressing the epidemic of suicide within the Law Enforcement profession. Learn how to detect and respond to warning signs to prevent unimaginable tragedy within your agency. Register HERE.

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Rep. Rick Larsen on recent Line of Duty Death Officer Dan Rocha

Line of Duty Death - Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha

It is with tremendous sorrow we inform you of the line of duty death of WACOPS member, Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha. Officer Rocha was killed in the line of duty in service to the community on March 25th. The words are hard to find. Please pray with us for Dan's family, his brothers and sisters in the Everett Police Department, and all our WACOPS members. Gone but not forgotten. RIP.

From the Everett Police Department...

Thank you to our community for the outpouring of support you have shown us since Officer Rocha was killed in the line of duty. For those in the community who would like to honor Officer Rocha, we have set up a memorial in front of our North Precinct (3002 Wetmore Ave). We invite the public to leave flowers, messages, or any means of support they would like to show.
The memorial service for Officer Dan Rocha will be held on Monday, April 4th at 1:00 p.m. at, Angel of the Winds Arena located at 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett WA 98201. The service will be open to the public. Further details will be released as they become available.
The official memorial fund to support Officer Rocha’s family and memorial costs is now available. Please visit https://www.everettwa.gov/2847/Remembering-Officer-Rocha for news, memorial fund information, and once available memorial information.

Line of Duty Death - Pierce County Deputy Dominique "Dom" Calata

It is with a sorrow so great that words simply cannot express it that we inform our members and friends of the line of duty death of Pierce County Deputy Dominique "Dom" Calata on 3/15/22. Please pray for Deputy Calata and his family, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters at the Pierce County Sheriff's Department. Gone but not forgotten. Rest in peace.

From the Pierce County Sheriff's Department...

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LEOFF 2 Benefit Improvement - SHB 1701 PASSED

March 4, 2022

LEOFF 2 – Benefit Improvement – PASSED

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Line of Duty Death – Vancouver Officer Donald Sahota

Dear WACOPS members,
 
It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the tragic death of Vancouver Officer Sahota.  Officer Sahota was off duty when a person fleeing arrest tried to make entry into his home.  The events that occurred are under investigation.  What we know is that this is a tragedy for all involved.  Our hearts are with everyone impacted.  We send our deepest sympathy to Officer Sahota’s family, friends, and his brothers and sisters of the Vancouver Police Officer’s Guild.  Likewise, we are holding our members with the Clark County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild in our prayers as well.  
 
RIP Officer Sahota.  Gone but not forgotten.
 
Be well and be safe, 
 
Teresa Taylor 
Executive Director

WACOPS Letter to Public Safety Committee RE: HB 2037

January 26, 2022

Dear Chairman Goodman:

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AGO Opinion: Use of “physical force” by law enforcement

On Friday, January 20th, the Washington State Attorney General published an opinion in response the use of force questions asked by Representatives Roger Goodman and Jesse Johnson.

AGO Highlights 1-20-22:
(This is an edited (words removed) summary and is not provided as an exact quote. Please read the AGO to draw your own conclusions).
 
The most natural reading of the statute’s plain language is that physical force includes all acts by officers that involve violence, compulsion, or constraint used against another person’s body, even if it is unlikely to cause pain or injury.


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End of Watch: Sgt. Joseph Deccio, Yakima Police Department

It is with heavy hearts that we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and brothers & sisters in law enforcement for the loss of Sergeant Joseph Deccio, a 15-year veteran of the Yakima Police Department. Joe died in the line of duty on August 3rd after experiencing a significant medical episode.

A Yakima native, Deccio worked for the department for 15 years, serving as a patrol officer, leader of Yakima SWAT’s sniper team, coordinator for the K-9 units and school resource officers, as well as a field training officer. He was a corporal in the Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq as a cavalry scout with the 81st Brigade.

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End of Watch – Detective Jeremy Brown, Clark County Deputy Sheriffs Guild

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our prayers to the family, friends, and brothers and sisters in law enforcement after the murder of another WACOPS member at the hands of violent criminals in our state.  As said by Tacoma Local Union #6, “Deputy Jeremy Brown gave the ultimate sacrifice protecting and serving his community and died a hero.”   

The WACOPS Benevolent Fund, an account funded through member contributions, will be sending a check to support funeral related expenses.  Our national partner, the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA), will also be sending a check of support. 

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Goodman and Johnson Statement on Implementation of Police Use of Force Bill

As the effective date is upon us and the State's public safety reform bills are about to take effect, please read the statement made by Legislators Goodman and Johnson. There will be more to come. We continue to work for you. Remember, we proudly stand with our members. Be sure to check in with each other, and don't take any unnecessary risks.


July 23, 2021

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Welcome Puget Sound Police Managers Association to WACOPS

Please Welcome Puget Sound Police Managers Association to WACOPS

We are so pleased to announce the membership of PSPMA.  PSPMA is made up of Lts., Cpts. and contract city Chiefs for King County.  We enjoyed getting to know the leadership of PSPMA this past session as we worked cooperatively in our Law Enforcement Labor Coalition effecting the trajectory of the law enforcement reform bills.  We look forward to continuing those efforts and more challenges to come. 

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WACOPS Mourns Loss of Vice President and Friend, Mark Brinkman

It is with deep sadness and grief that we are informing you of the passing of our Vice President, GRC Chair, and friend, Lynnwood Guild President Mark Brinkman.  We first announced this in the Legislative Update and on our Facebook page last Monday, April 12.  

Mark had almost 35 years on the job, was active in his community and church.  Mark suffered a medical emergency at his home on Sunday night, April 11 and later died at an area hospital.  Anyone that had the opportunity to know Mark was lucky.  He was a good man and represented all that is good in humanity and the profession of law enforcement.  He will be missed. 

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New Mandatory Payroll Tax Coming Soon: Here's what you need to know

WACOPS’ subsidiary, Public Safety Employees Insurance, Inc is working with its new broker, LBG Advisors, to make sure you have an alternative to the State mandated Long Term Health Care Trust.  In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed the Long-Term Health Care Trust.  In short, the trust would be funded through mandatory payroll deductions, and those that vest in the program before they leave employment would be entitled to a very small ($100 per day for 365 days) insurance for their long-term care needs.  The State developed the program because most people are not covered for their long-term care needs and future burdens on the Medicaid system is expected to be financially crushing to the State. 

You have options!  WACOPS, along with employers and our friends at the WSCFF worked to get an amendment to the Trust this session.  The Trust will still go into effect in January of 2022, but employees will be able to opt out of the mandatory tax if they have a bone fide alternative long term care policy in place.  You will be required to opt out by November of 2021.  There are things to consider before you just jump to opting out and you will need to give any alternative serious consideration.  Even so, we believe you should have options and you should be the one to decide what long term care program is going to be best for you. 

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WACOPS Affiliates with the International Union of Police Associations

After a couple years of consideration and conversation, the WACOPS Executive Board has elected to affiliate to the International Union of Police Associations.  As you know, WACOPS is the voice of law enforcement in WA and by affiliating to the International Union of Police Associations we gain the support and influence of the only union chartered exclusively for law enforcement and law enforcement support personnel. This will only make us stronger.

While IUPA’s officers, active and retired law enforcement, fight to improve the lives of their brothers and sisters in law enforcement, they do so by actively working to improve legislation that protects and affects public safety officers, as well as representing the needs of law enforcement officers and support personnel, whether that be for better equipment, more staff or a fair wage.

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Exciting News! Please Welcome King County Police Officers Guild

It is a tremendous honor to announce that the King County Police Officers Guild Board has elected to rejoin WACOPS.  It’s been a long time since we’ve had the investment of the King County deputies and we are thrilled to welcome them back.  If you have a friend with the King County Police Officers Guild, I hope you will reach out to them and encourage them to get involved.  Please invite them to one of the upcoming meetings, encourage them to participate in the WACOPS Annual Scholarship process, update them on our work, and share why you are a proud member. 

As members of our Law Enforcement Labor Advocacy Coalition this legislative session, KCPOG has worked closely with us on the strategy we launched in response to the reform bills this session.  The leadership of KCPOG is dedicated to the issues and I know they will come to our meetings and actively work with us all as we all fight for the labor rights, pension, and safety you deserve. 

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