The Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs represents more than 8,000 public safety officers and 95 local affiliates across the state. AZCOPS members are municipal police officers, deputy sheriffs, correctional officers and probation officers who look to their union to further their interests through aggressive representation in the legal and political arenas.
Send Honor Guards, police vehicles to Healing Field at Tempe Beach Park
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More from AZCOPS News Service:
City of Maricopa Police Assn. raises funds to help families of wrongfully terminated officers, August 10, 2010
Pinal County Deputies hold first bargaining session with County, August 4, 2010
AZCOPS endorses five candidates for El Mirage City Council, July 26, 2010
AZCOPS Board adds workers compensation coverage to Legal Plan, July 18
AZCOPS Legal responds to shooting at University of Arizona, May 28, 2010
AZCOPS members should vote YES on Prop 100, April 30, 2010
AZ prison privatization law repealed, April 8, 2010
AZCOPS is Gold Sponsor of Arizona Police and Fire Games, March 25, 2010
Police union seeking judgement against city, city manager, March 10, 2010
Officers involved in shootings realize value of AZCOPS, Feb. 26, 2010
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(Posted: Sept. 3, 2010)
The Police Officers of Scottsdale Association (POSA) has been a sponsor of this 9-11 Memorial Healing Field for many years in Tempe along with the City of Tempe and Valley of the Sun Exchange Clubs Foundation and Tempe Exchange Club. It is the largest and longest running healing field in the Southwest with over 3000 full size flags.
It is a healing field to honor those 411 emergency personnel who died rushing toward the danger and toward the people in need and a memorial to the 2500 citizens who lost their lives that horrific day in 2001. A day that should always be remembered as a day terrorists tried to alter the psyche of a nation with fear. But we as a nation fought back and will continue to fight as long as our citizens are at risk and our nation exposed to terroristic threats.
All local police and fire departments are being asked to send an honor guard and/or an emergency vehicle to the Healing Field at Tempe Beach Park on September 10 and 11.
Arrangements for car placement would be best on Sept. 10 since the first ceremony is at 5:40 a.m. Sept. 11. However, cars can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sept. 11 before the evening ceremony.
Please contact Cynthia Hill, POSA OUTREACH, at posaoutreach@hotmail.com or cell phone 480-695-2494 to arrange for your department to be involved.
Honor guards are also very welcome to participate in both the morning and evening ceremonies on Sept. 11.
AZCOPS pledges funds for NLEOMF
From left, AZCOPS Vice President John Stair and President Larry A. Lopez.
On August 29, AZCOPS President Larry Lopez presented John Shanks of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) with a pledge of $100,000. Larry made the presentation at the annual National Coalition of Public Safety Officers (NCPSO) National Training and Leadership conference in San Diego. Larry shared the commitment AZCOPS has with this worthwhile cause. He encouraged the assembled group of public safety officers to contribute and get involved in whatever way possible. Back to top
Attorney who represents officers will only work with AZCOPS members
Dear Pinal County Deputies Association Member:
It has been my honor and privilege to represent the Pinal County Deputies Association and its members for the last 10 years. During that time, I have represented at least 50 PCDA members involved in shootings (most recently Deputies Bagwell, Puroll, Rankin and Lopez), merit commission hearings, AZPOST issues, and a variety of other employment matters.
One common thread running through all of my PCDA cases has been the unwavering support for each PCDA member by AZCOPS and its Legal Plan. As you may not know, the AZCOPS plan has no monetary limits. This means that AZCOPS will always spend whatever it takes to ensure that we have all the resources necessary to provide you with the best possible representation. And, with its $2.8 million war chest, AZCOPS can make good on its promise to protect its members for a long time to come.
Because AZCOPS is the finest plan going, our firm will only represent AZCOPS members and will not work for any other legal plan. My loyalty is to AZCOPS and PCDA because of their proven track record for protecting Pinal County Sheriff's Office employees. I have made my choice and I urge you to do the same.
I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve you as your AZCOPS legal representative. Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Denis M. Fitzgibbons
1115 E. Cottonwood Lane - Suite 150 - Casa Grande, AZ 85122-2950
Website: www.fitzgibbonslaw.com
Back to top
AZCOPS announces additional endorsements in General Election races
(Posted: August 23, 2010)
The AZCOPS Election Committee has been busy preparing for the 2010 Election.
To date, AZCOPS has received 58 questionnaires from candidates responding to our public safety agenda, outlining their respective visions for Arizona. Consequently, on August 12th the AZCOPS Election Committee advanced additional candidates to the AZCOPS Executive Board for endorsement. Criteria included favorable responses to the AZCOPS questionnaire, support of ADJC, both in the questionnaire and by public statements/votes in committee during the AZCOPS ADJC campaign. Also considered was opposition to privatization of DOC and ADJC, as well as the candidate's district voter demographics.
Additionally, and in a departure from statewide campaigns, Maricopa County Attorney Candidate Rick Romley was recommended for endorsement by the committee as a result of his pledge of support and commitment to all Maricopa County public safety agencies. AZCOPS joins AZCPOA and a number of other public safety groups in their endorsement of Mr. Romley.
Legislative candidates endorsed by AZCOPS include:
Tom Chabin, LD 2
Sue Dolphin, LD 4
Shari Van Horsen, LD 9
Edward Ableser, LD 17
Rae Waters, LD 20
Frank Pratt, LD 23
Barbara McGuire, LD 23
Rebecca Rios, LD 23
Vic Williams, LD 26
Nancy Young Wright, LD 26
Dan Patterson, LD 29
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Pinal County Deputies Assn. names new President
(Posted: August 23, 2010)
Pinal County Deputies Association recently announced the Board's appointment of Sgt. Dave Hausman to the position of President.
Hausman, an 18-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, is the PCSO Criminal Investigations Bureau Homicide Sergeant. He has served in that capacity for the past five years. He has been a member of PCDA for 13 years.
PCDA Board Member Robert Monashefsky, speaking of Dave Hausman's appointment as President, said, "Sgt. Dave Hausman has been a dedicated and active member of the Pinal County Deputies Association for the past 13 years. He has been serving on the Board of Directors for the Association for the past six months. In that capacity, he has been actively working with the Meet and Confer Bargaining Committee as it enters negotiations with the County Board of Supervisors."
Monashefsky added, "Dave brings maturity and common sense to the office of President. He knows how to professionally negotiate to get things done, partly as a result of his experience as a negotiator on the PCSO SWAT Team where he was actively involved for the past 10 years."
"I will work very hard on behalf of PCDA members," Hausman said. "We will be pursuing Meet and Confer with the County and opening communications with Sheriff Babeu. In fact, Sheriff Babeu and I have spoken and he has opened the door to meetings between him and representatives of PCDA.
"We have begun the process of updating the PCDA Bylaws. At the August meeting, a committee was approved to begin work on the Bylaws," he continued. "Under the very able leadership of Deputy Ben Cook, we are in the process of building a new website that will be more interactive for members. It should be up and running in the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, if you need to reach PCDA, you may contact Secretary Lorraine Bethka or me." Back to top
City of Maricopa Police Assn. will hold fundraiser to help families of wrongfully terminated officers
(Posted: August 10, 2010)
In an effort to more purposefully promote its values of integrity, consistency and service, members of COMPA have developed an initiative to support accountability and combat corruption within the City of Maricopa and its Police Department. The initiative, given the acronym O.H.A.N.A. stands for Officers Holding Administration Nonfeasance Accountable. Ohana is a Hawaiian word meaning family, and is used to describe members of a group with strong relationships and like principles. O.H.A.N.A. was also chosen in honor of the service and leadership of former COMPA President Aki Stant who was recently wrongfully terminated by the City of Maricopa Police Department.
O.H.A.N.A. is positioned to hold accountable those members of City and Department Management who have continually failed to properly do their job! For over a year, COMPA has fought diligently to expose incidents of violation of policy and law by police supervisors and managers and taken its concerns and discontent with such impropriety to city leaders. Seeing little more than excuses, cover-ups, ignorance and retaliation in return from Management, COMPA is moving forward to the community it honorably serves.
O.H.A.N.A. has begun to plan several activities to promote awareness within the City of Maricopa and to assist families of wrongly terminated police officers in the City of Maricopa. In order to raise funds to that end, COMPA is holding a car wash event beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, August 14, at the Auto Zone, 20886 N. John Wayne Parkway in Maricopa.
O.H.A.N.A. has also opened a donation account with the Maricopa branch of Wells Fargo Bank:
Acct name: O.H.A.N.A.
Acct #: 5918297465
Join us on Facebook for The Mahalo Movement:
Join our O.H.A.N.A. and support others in Maricopa who demand accountability from City and Police Department Management! Back to Top
Pinal County Deputies hold first bargaining session with County
From left are AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez, Benjamin Cook, Lorraine Bethka, Ann Robinette, and AZCOPS General Counsel Martin Bihn.
(Posted: August 4, 2010)
Pinal County Deputies Association (PCDA) met August 2nd with Chief Steve Henry, Assistant County Manager Manny Gonzalez, Human Resources Manager Mike Arnold, and others to open negotiations on the first ever Memo Of Understanding (MOU) with Pinal County.
In addition to PCDA lead negotiator Lanie Bethka, Deputy Ben Cook and Anne Robinette also participated. Detention representative Kevin Keck was unable to attend due to an illness in the family. AZCOPS president Larry Lopez and AZCOPS General Counsel Martin Bihn supported PCDA at the bargaining table.
The purpose of this first meeting was to establish bargaining ground rules and a negotiation schedule for the parties. Bargaining sessions are scheduled to take place in a monthly series of meetings, beginning August 19.
This first bargaining meeting followed two intense, joint PCDA and AZCOPS planning sessions in Tucson over the past month. The PCDA Board met with Lopez, Bihn and John Doran, the executive director of the National Coalition of Public Safety Officers, to plan PCDA bargaining strategy. These meetings built on the past six months of preparation by PCDA in identifying issues to be addressed in the MOU.
Bargaining will begin with subjects that are permissive and will then move to economic issues later in the fall when PCDA and AZCOPS are able to review quarterly county revenue figures and other financial data.
Because PCDA has reserved the right to bring different members to the table to negotiate different issues, PCDA has a place for you if you want to be a part of these negotiations! Remember, participation in bargaining is duty time, and you will be compensated so long as you participate during your regularly scheduled work time.
If you have an issue that needs to be addressed or you want to get involved with this process please contact (Lorraine) Lanie Bethka. Back to top
Pinal County Deputies Association kicks off MOU bargaining for 2010-2011
(Posted: July 26, 2010)
On July 16, the Pinal County Deputies Association (PCDA) served its notice to initiate Meet and Confer Bargaining on the Pinal County Manager.
The PCDA's notice started the clock on county management which has 10 business days to meet and initiate bargaining. The PCDA anticipates meeting with county management next week to hammer out an agreement on a bargaining schedule and other ground rules.
The Pinal County Meet and Confer ordinance provides for bargaining on the following topics:
(1) Salary, wage rates, and shift differential.
(2) Overtime, compensatory time, On-Call Pay, and Professional Certification pay.
(3) Paid time off, including sick leave, vacation leave, injury leave, bereavement leave, jury duty leave, and holiday leave pay.
(4) Access to public portions of County facilities and to non-public areas to meet with employees and conduct employee organization business.
(5) Dues deduction.
(6) Other items mutually agreed upon by the authorized employee organization and County Manager.
Remember, the PCDA will be negotiating for everyone in the bargaining unit which was defined in the ordinance as: "All sworn deputies and detention officers, up to and including the rank of corporal and adult detention officers up to the rank of corporal, Dispatchers, Evidence Technicians, and Identification Technicians."
For the last six months, PCDA has been soliciting input from employees and has developed a preliminary list of issues to be addressed in bargaining.
If you have additional ideas, suggestions, requests and/or you want to get involved, please send email to PCDA. Back to top
AZCOPS endorses five candidates for El Mirage City Council
From left are candidate Lynn Selby, AZCOPS Vice President John Stair, AZCOPS Vice President to Corrections Tixoc Munoz, candidate Jack Palladino, AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez, mayoral candidate Lana Mook, candidate Jim McPhetres, candidate Joe Ramirez, and AZCOPS Organizer Chris Currie.
(Posted: July 26, 2010)
AZCOPS endorsed a slate of candidates for the El Mirage City Council last week after a lengthy meeting where Association leaders asked questions about where the candidates stood on issues of concern to local police officers.
Lopez said AZCOPS members in El Mirage are concerned about various issues, and are looking to support elected officials who will put public safety first.
"When times are tough, communities need to know that their elected officials will look out for their safety first. In El Mirage, we believe this slate of candidates will listen to their police officers when it comes to public safety issues," Lopez said. Back to top
AZCOPS Board adds workers compensation coverage to Legal Plan
By Martin Bihn
AZCOPS General Counsel
The AZCOPS Board of Directors voted July 17 to add an important new benefit for members -- workers compensation coverage at no additional cost.
The AZCOPS Legal Plan has always provided for consultations with workers compensation attorneys. And AZCOPS has always used attorneys who are Arizona State Bar Certified Specialists in Worker Compensation. In addition to consultations, over the past few years the AZCOPS Legal Plan has stepped in to cover members when problems arose with their workers compensation coverage. AZCOPS did this to assist members on a case-by-case basis, even though strictly speaking this was outside of the Plan.
What AZCOPS has now done is to formally modify the Legal Plan to provide a benefit to the members that AZCOPS has already been informally providing for several years.
HOW THE PLAN WORKS
Typically, a workers compensation claim starts when a member is injured at work. The member files a claim with his or her agency and a workers compensation claim file is opened. The member then seeks medical care and treatment that is paid through workers compensation. When the member has recovered, the claim is closed and the member returns to work. And at any time, an AZCOPS member may consult with a workers compensation attorney. A normal workers compensation case runs its course with no real legal dispute. This is how the vast majority of workers compensation claims go forward.
However, sometimes problems occur that require legal intervention. For example, the workers compensation carrier may deny the claim and refuse to pay for medical care. Other issues might be that the carrier closes the member's claim while he or she still needs treatment. Frankly, there are any number of ways that workers compensation carriers can screw with our members. Nevertheless, there is one common factor in every attempt to mess with a member, a carrier's action can be appealed to the Arizona Industrial Commission.
This is where the AZCOPS coverage kicks in again. AZCOPS will provide a workers compensation attorney to handle your case in front of the Arizona Industrial Commission. There is one caveat. The AZCOPS Legal Plan will not cover cases where the member is able get representation on a contingent fee basis.
Just remember, in the vast majority of cases where the carrier has denied coverage, ended medical care and/or closed cases, money is not the issue -- health care is. And lawyers will not take those cases on a contingent fee basis. That is why AZCOPS will step in and protect our members and make sure they get the benefits to which they are entitled.
And this is yet another area in which the AZCOPS Legal Plan leads the way as the best legal plan for law enforcement in Arizona. Our competitors do not come close.
Not up to the AZCOPS standard, the APA will cover some workers compensation claims. If you cannot get an attorney on a contingent fee basis, APA might cover you. But, if any part of your compensation claim involves back wages, APA will not help you. Of course APA's limited coverage is optional and will cost you an additional $2 a month.
FOP/ALC, on the other hand, will leave you out in cold. It does not offer any benefit for workers compensation claims.
In the final analysis the difference in the plans is this -- only the AZCOPS Legal Plan was created by its members for the benefit of its members. Our members wanted a benefit and AZCOPS provided it at no additional cost.
To see specific language, see AZCOPS Legal Plan Article 1, Benefits at Section 1.9.
Note:
After this article was published, an FOP Lodge 2 member contacted us to say that FOP doesn’t “leave you out in the cold” on workers compensation as indicated in the article. While the State FOP/ALC site does not reflect any coverage for workers compensation matters, FOP Lodge 2’s website does reflect a limited workers compensation benefit. At least for FOP Lodge 2 members, if their cases are not taken on a contingent fee basis, FOP/ALC will limit coverage to $1,500 for attorneys fees and $400 for expenses per claim.
AZCOPS Legal Plan has no limits on workers compensation coverage. This is particularly important because contested comp claims frequently cost between $3,000 and $5,000. And that does not include the costs of obtaining a physician to testify on your behalf! Doctors routinely charge $400 per hour for their time. When you consider that to call a doctor to testify for you at a hearing you have to pay “prep time, travel time and waiting time” and for the time they actually testify. Bringing a doctor to a hearing to testify on your behalf frequently exceeds $1,500. In addition to expert testimony, other costs in a comp claim may include depositions, cost of obtaining records, costs of serving subpoenas, etc. The AZCOPS Legal Plan covers all of these costs without limitation.
So in the end it’s true that FOP won’t leave you entirely out in the cold on your comp case, at least at Lodge 2. But we do think the FOP plan will still leave you cold when you’re injured, unable to work, and your lawyer demands that you pay thousands of dollars for uncovered fees and costs to finish your case.
Make the right choice -- AZCOPS. Back to Top
AZCOPS corrections member fares better than non-members when faced with charges of falsifying time sheets
(Posted: May 28, 2010)
An AZCOPS member, who was one of three corrections officers charged with falsifying time sheets, fared better than his co-workers because he was represented by AZCOPS Legal.
Our member had been charged with more than 90 counts of fraud for allegedly falsifying his time sheet nearly three years ago. He vehemently denied the allegations. Each charge was based upon a comparison of an attendance sheet to our member's bi-weekly pay records.
The criminal investigators put together what they believed was a slam-dunk case against our member and two other corrections employees who were not members. Last year, the investigators took their cases to the County Attorney's Office and obtained indictments against the three officers.
"After the case was filed, things looked very bleak for our member," said AZCOPS General Counsel Martin Bihn. "And if convicted, he faced decades on the wrong side of the bars (at Arizona Department of Corrections)."
Bihn said the prosecutor offered a deal to one of the defendants who had the fewest allegations, and he pleaded guilty to a Class 6 felony. He agreed to testify against the AZCOPS member and the other officer.
Then AZCOPS Legal got involved. After thoroughly reviewing the numerous boxes containing thousands of documents disclosed by the prosecutor, and interviewing a number of current and former corrections employees, the defense became clear.
In each allegation, the prosecution relied on an attendance log that reflected that our member was not present at the facility while he claimed time on his time sheet. Our member was adamant that his time sheets were accurate and that the attendance log was flawed.
"With our knowledge of ADC policies and practices, we understood that if our member had been present, his name would have appeared on a number of other records and logs routinely kept by ADC," said Bihn. "So we made a broad-ranging records request for key logs, transportaion logs, etc. for the approximately 90 dates at issue. Our goal was to prove that our member had in fact, be present on the disputed dates."
The case went on for months with numerous court appearances. Early on, the prosecutor advised the court that he was on top of the case and that the requested documents would be provided shortly.
"Unfortunately for the prosecutor, ADC investigators were never able to locate and produce the logs that would exonerate our member. After months of waiting for the prosecution to produce documents, we finally filed a motion to compel. And still no documents were produced," Bihn said.
At the final court hearing on the motion to compel, when the prosecution still had not produced the documents, the judge dismissed the case. Our member, after facing serious charges for over a year, was free to get on with his life.
As for the two co-defendant officers who had not joined AZCOPS, the results were mixed.
The officer who thought he would be clever by pleading guilty is now a felon and will carry that label for life, Bihn said.
"The other non-member got through this by the skin of her teeth. She did not have the AZCOPS coverage, so she got a public defender for the case," he said. "The public defender did not have the time or the years of experience dealing with ADC to fully understand the case."
This is just the latest in a long line of examples of how it pays to be an AZCOPS member. AZCOPS Legal provides members with the best protection. Back to top
AZCOPS Legal responds to shooting at University of Arizona
(Posted: May 28, 2010)
AZCOPS Legal responded quickly last week after an officer at the University of Arizona was forced to use his weapon to protect someone.
On May 21, the officer was forced to defend a woman who was being threatened by another woman armed with a large butcher knife. The subject ignored all warnings and orders to drop the weapon, forcing the officer to discharge his weapon. The woman suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Within minutes of the incident, Association leaders contacted AZCOPS Attorney Mike Storie who came to the scene and guided them through the initial stages of the investigation. Association leaders remained with Storie and the officer throughout the investigation and the interview process.
"When a member is involved in a shooting, AZCOPS attorneys respond immediately," said AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez. "We stand by our members every step of the way. That's why officers trust AZCOPS to represent them." Back to top
AZCOPS members should VOTE YES on Prop 100
(Posted: April 30)
Arizona voters will go to the polls May 18th to consider raising the state sales tax by 1 cent per one dollar -- a tax that will generate funds for public safety.
AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez said law enforcement families should support Proposition 100 because the revenue it generates could save the jobs of hundreds of officers across the state.
If adopted by voters, Prop 100 would temporarily increase the state sales tax for three years starting June 1. In most cases, that would mean an increase from the current 5.6 cents per one dollar to 6.6 cents per one dollar. According to the Secretary of State, revenues would be accounted for separately in the general fund and would be used for the following purposes:
* Two-thirds for public primary and secondary education.
* One-third for health and human services and public safety purposes.
"That means prisons stay open, corrections officers stay on the job, and felons stay where they belong," Lopez said.
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimates the tax will increase state sales tax revenues by $918 million in the first year, $968 million in the second year and $1.06 billion in the third year.
"No one wants to pay higher taxes, especially during hard times. But the truth is that these revenues are needed now to keep schools open and criminals behind bars," Lopez said.
"In my mind, this really is a public safety issue," he said. "Without the additional revenue, officers will lose their jobs and leave shifts short-handed at a time when crime is up across the state."
Learn More about the Temporary Sales Tax Back to top
AZ prison privatization law repealed
(Posed: April 8, 2010)
AZCOPS/Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association announces that the law enacted in November 2009, that sought to privatize the operations of up to nine Arizona Department of Corrections complexes through a Concession Agreement has been repealed.
House Bill 2006 (Laws 2010, Seventh Special Session), which includes the repeal of the Prison Concession Agreement law, was signed by the Governor on March 18 and becomes effective June 15.
AZCPOA appreciates every member who took the time to make telephone calls, write emails and letters, and visit in person with their Senators and Representatives on this issue. The repeal of this statute was due in large part to the efforts of members. Back to top
AZCOPS is Gold Sponsor of Arizona Police and Fire Games
(Posted: March 25, 2010)
For the second year, AZCOPS is a Gold Sponsor of the Arizona Police and Fire Games May 5-8 in Tucson. The event is co-hosted by the Tucson Police Department and Tucson Fire Department.
The competition assists in improving the fitness levels of the competitors while providing an outlet for stress and an atmosphere of camaraderie among the public safety community -- both commissioned officers and civilians. More than 1,200 competitors will travel from across the country and Canada to participate in some 20 contests in Arizona.
The Games are the result of a year-round effort by the Arizona Police Athletic Federation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1978, to coordinate the Games in various locations throughout the state of Arizona every year. The Games are completely funded by application fees and sponsor donations.
The following events will be featured in this year's Games: Archery, Baseball, Basketball, Bass Fishing, Bowling, Boxing, Darts, Flag Football, Golf, Horseshoes, Paintball, Pistol-3 Gun, Pistol-Combat, Pistol-PPC, Poker, Powerlifting, Sniper Rifle, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Cycling-Road, Cycling-Mountain, Rifle-Small Bore, Rifle-High Power, Benchpress, and Ultimate Frisbee.
The host hotel for the Games is the Holiday Inn, 4550 S. Palo Verde in Tucson. Most venues are within a five-mile radius of the hotel with a number of events being held on site. The hotel is offering reduced rates for competitors.
To learn more about the Games, eligibility, registration fees and schedule of events, visit the website. Back to top
Police union seeking judgement against City, City Manager
(Posted: March 10, 2010)
March 8, 2010 | InMaricopa.com
The City of Maricopa Police Association is preparing to file for summary judgment in a suit it filed in October 2009 against the Maricopa City Council and the city manager. Editor's note: Richard S. Cohen, an attorney representing the city of Maricopa, responded to COMPA's petition for summary judgement.
“We are working on the paperwork and should have the petition for summary judgment filed by early this week,” said COMPA’s lawyer, Martin Bihn.
Read More
Officers involved in shootings realize value of AZCOPS
(Posted: Feb. 26, 2010)
For officers in Casa Grande, Scottsdale, Maricopa and Pinal County, being a member of AZCOPS means more today than it ever has before.
Officers in each of those communities were recently involved in shootings and quickly realized the true value of belonging to the largest and most trusted public safety union in Arizona.
Casa Grande
Just after midnight on Feb. 18, a police officer in Casa Grande was responding to a report of a burglary at a residence when he encountered the suspect wielding a sledgehammer. The officer was forced to shoot when the man advanced on him and ignored his repeated commands to drop the weapon.
Casa Grande Police Association President Chris Western said he received a call from the officer about 20 minutes after the shooting and while he was en route to the scene, he called local AZCOPS Attorney Denis Fitzgibbons. It was about 1 a.m.
"He was there within 20 minutes," Western said. "He talked with the supervisor on the scene and got a handle on the situation very quickly, while I transported the officer to the station."
Western, who has been with the police department 14 years, said when local members need legal backup, he knows to call Fitzgibbons regardless of the time of day.
In the days since the shooting, the AZCOPS attorney has communicated regularly with his client, who has never been involved in a shooting before. In Casa Grande, which has about 70 sworn officers, police-involved shootings are investigated by Arizona Department of Public Safety. Western said the attorney accompanied the officer to that interview.
Western said the officer is very pleased with the response and representation he has received from AZCOPS.
"I've never been a member of any other union, but this is the level of service we have come to depend on from AZCOPS. We are very pleased," he said.
Scottsdale
After Scottsdale police officers were forced to shoot a suspected bank robber Feb. 17 as he attempted to run over them with his vehicle, the local union president called AZCOPS.
James Hill, president of the Police Officers of Scottsdale Association, responded within minutes to the scene of the shooting. But while en route, he called AZCOPS Legal and Attorney Tom Baker was sent to the scene.
"I waited with our member only 15 minutes until Tom showed up," Hill said. "Tom immediately talked to our member and stuck with him through the rest of the investigation."
Hill said when he left the scene of the shooting about midnight -- almost three hours after the incident -- the FOP member who was also involved was still waiting on his
attorney to arrive.
Officers in Scottsdale were attempting to arrest a man suspected of robbing two banks in Scottsdale and one bank in Phoenix when the shooting occurred.
Maricopa
Several members of the City of Maricopa Police Association were involved in a critical incident in February.
They arrived at a residence where witnesses reported a man pointed a rifle at a victim. The officers ordered the man to show his hands as he exited the residence. He then began shouting from inside that he was going to come out and kill them.
When he emerged with the rifle, officers gave more commands, but instead of complying he pointed the rifle at an officer. The officers were forced to take action to subdue the immenent threat, said Bihn, who dispatched an attorney from AZCOPS to the scene immediately. He said he expects the officers to be cleared quickly by the County Attorney.
Pinal County
In Pinal County, AZCOPS Attorney Fitzgibbons responded quickly when notified that a deputy had taken action to stop suspects who had just shot and killed a Gilbert police lieutenant.
Fleeing from the scene of a traffic stop where they shot and killed Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler, suspects made their way into Pinal County on State Highway 60 pursued by dozens of patrol vehicles from a number of agencies.
As the chase progressed, a Pinal County deputy stationed in Globe, who is a member of AZCOPS, heard the radio traffic. He realized the chase was coming toward him up the hill toward Globe.
"Our member quickly sped down the hill in hopes of intercepting the suspects, and was able to jump into the pursuit near the suspects' vehicle," Bihn said.
Shortly thereafter, the vehicle came to a halt and the suspects emerged and opened fire on pursuing officers, who returned fire.
"Our member made the decision to forgo his handgun and immediately grabbed his shotgun," Bihn said.
Using his vehicle for cover, he moved low to the ground and waited for the suspects to break cover. When they exposed themselves, he fired his shotgun, he said.
"Given the sheer volume of the firefight that night, our member can not be sure that he ended the problem," Bihn said. "What he does know is that he certainly played a role in the solution."
When the situation was secured, the AZCOPS member contacted the Pinal County Deputies Association, which in turn called AZCOPS.
"Within a short time, the attorney (Fitzgibbons) arrived on scene, found our member and whisked him out of the confusion to the calm of the Superior Police Department," Bihn said. "Although it was fairly clear that this was a fully justified use of force, Denis ensured that our member's rights were protected."
AZCOPS Legal has built a reputation across the state for responding quickly to members when they call for help.
"We don't wait until regular business hours to answer a phone call," Bihn said. "AZCOPS attorneys do whatever it takes to get to our member as quickly as possible after a shooting. And sometimes, we have been known to arrive before the officer's supervisors.
"For our member, who in the course of doing his job suddenly finds himself in the most stressful situation of his life, having an AZCOPS attorney at the scene can make all the difference," he said. Back to top