PLEA Meets with Senator McCain

It’s important for police labor and a sitting Arizona Senator to continue to move ahead as partners in a positive forward direction to serve our citizens and our members.  On Monday August 30, 2010 Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu requested and facilitated a meeting between PLEA (Joe Clure, Mark Spencer, Dr. Levi Bolton), Border Patrol (President Brandon Judd and Treasurer Bud Tuffly), and Senator John McCain.  Because of our support, involvement, and experience with SB1070, Senator McCain requested our input in the area of illegal immigration and its impact on local law enforcement.  PLEA and the Border Patrol committed to Senator McCain to provide a front-line “road map” in addressing the crime of illegal immigration at a federal level.

Listen Now! to comments aired on the Mike Broomhead show on August 31, 2010.

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PLEA Extends Congratulations

The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association would like to extend our congratulations to those Candidates who have successfully won their primary elections and are now moving off to the General election this November.  PLEA is appreciative of the many Candidates who took the time and interest to participate in their political vetting process and seek an endorsement.  PLEA would like to extend an invitation to all those candidates wishing PLEA's endorsement in the general election to contact Dr. Levi Bolton Jr. at the offices of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, 1102 West Adams, Phoenix, Arizona 85003 - (602) 246-7869 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   PLEA will not provide a candidate endorsement without a candidate request or participation in the vetting process.

The Arizona Police Association (APA) will often participate in the vetting process but decisions to endorse will be given independently by each organization.

Flip Flopping the Numbers

The Phoenix PD seems to be quite adept at talking out of both sides of it's mouth.  When they want money from the U.S. Congress, kidnappings are in the 350 range.  When they want to fight SB1070 – just one month ago, July 4, 2010 to be exact - Public Information Officer, Sgt. Tommy Thompson spins a different story.

 

CLICK HERE to read a side by side comparison of the constantly changing story on the kidnapping situation with quotes from various members of police management.

Actual news articles linked below contained several of the direct quotes in the comaparison above.

CLICK HERE to read the AZ Republic article that several of the above referenced quotes were taken from.

CLICK HERE to read the August 19, 2009 news story from KTAR with comment from Chief Harris.

CLICK HERE to read a BBC News article from April 2009 where Sgt. Thompson speaks of the number of kidnappings and talks about "two distinct types of kidnappings" yet in news video below he essentially states that all kidnappings are the same.

The televised interview done with ABC News 15 on August 19, 2010 shows the department ducking and weaving once again as PIO Sgt. Tommy Thompson says that any notion of inflated kidnap numbers is wrong when he states; "That is incorrect (responding to assertions of inflated kidnap numbers) we have given these numbers and we have been very open about it."  Sgt. Thompson then goes on to say; "We follow the criteria established in title 13, if it's a kidnapping it's a kidnapping." 

PLEA and APA meet with Pinal County

On Monday August 16, 2010 members of PLEA and the APA met with Sheriff Paul Babeu and leadership from the newly formed Law Enforcement Association of Pinal County, President Mark Guemes and Vice President Buddy Johnson.  This informal conversation focused on LEAPC’s commitment to provide a new and positive dialogue and partnership with the Sheriff Babeu’s office.

Read more: PLEA and APA meet with Pinal County