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.

 

More from AZCOPS News Service: AZCOPS launches campaign to stop Governor from closing juvenile prisons, Feb. 10, 2010  Governor moving ahead with plan to close ADJC despite legislative opposition, Feb. 3, 2010 AZCOPS President exposes 'The Truth' about Goveror's proposal on radio talk show, Feb. 2, 2010 AZCOPS moves House committee to support bill protecting ADJC jobs, Jan. 21, 2010 AZCOPS is responding to Governor's call to close state's juvenile facilities, Jan. 19, 2010 AZCOPS leaders convene for training, networking opportunities, October 2009

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

AZCOPS launches campaign to stop Governor from closing juvenile prisons

(Posted: Feb. 10, 2010)
This week, AZCOPS unveiled a new website that will serve as an online presence in a campaign to stop Gov. Jan Brewer from closing the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections in July.

PROTECT ARIZONA! (www.protectarizona.org) contains the truth about the Governor's plan to close juvenile correctional facilities and the impact on public safety. The website is one component of a media campaign to warn the public about the plan. Radio commercials and direct mail will also be used to communicate with citizens across the state.

Already, AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez and Joe Glen, president of the Pima Juvenile Corrections Association, have been guests on morning talk radio. Glen's group has produced a radio commercial that is airing now. Members can listen to the talk show and radio commercial by going to the campaign website.

AZCOPS is asking not only its members, but all Arizona voters, to communicate directly with the Governor and state lawmakers about the dangers of closing juvenile facilities. Email links and telephone numbers for elected officials are provided on the new website so that visitors may quickly send a message to the Capitol. Visitors can also add comments to a blog on the site.

AZCOPS members are encouraged to visit the site, sign up for email newsletters and visit the PROTECT ARIZONA! page on Facebook. 

Listen to Pima Juvenile Corrections Radio Ad

Listen to 104.1 FM Jon Justice Show featuring AZCOPS leaders
 

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Governor moving ahead with plan to close ADJC despite legislative opposition

(Posted: Feb. 3, 2010)
In the past 24 hours, it has become apparent that Gov. Jan Brewer remains determined to close the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections in July 2010. 

AZCOPS has learned from sources close to the situation that she is moving forward with this action, regardless of the expressed wishes of the Legislature. This week, the House voted 58-0 in support of HB 2131, which will extend the operations of the department to July 2015.

Read More | Contact State Senators 

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AZCOPS President exposes 'the truth' about Governor's 

proposal on radio talk show

Listen to the show

AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez was the featured guest Feb. 2 on the Jon Justice Show on 104.1 FM. He was joined by Pima/Maricopa Juvenile Corrections Association Spokesman Joe Glen as they exposed THE TRUTH about the Governor's plan to close the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections by July 2010.

THE TRUTH:

• * More than 1,000 sex offenders, murderers, home invaders and gang bangers will be released to the counties that have no means to house, treat, and supervise them properly!
•  

* These teenage criminals will return to the communities and neighborhoods where they committed violent crimes -- placing the public at risk! Free from incarceration and proper supervision, law enforcement authorities anticipate more burglaries, assaults of senior citizens, sexual assaults of children, and increased property damage.

* County taxes will skyrocket in order to duplicate what state Juvenile Corrections already does!

Arizona taxpayers have already spent millions of dollars to fund Juvenile Corrections -- an agency that is repeatedly recognized for excellence. Back to top

 

AZCOPS moves House Committee to support bill protecting ADJC jobs
 

(Posted: Jan. 21, 2010)
AZCOPS achieved a victory in the State Capitol Wednesday on behalf of its members who work for the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections. 

Facing a shutdown of ADJC on July 1, 2010, AZCOPS told legislators that they should vote yes on the bill to extend the department's operations five years. AZCOPS Government Relations Director Luis Ebratt and AZCOPS Vice President John Stair testified in support of HB 2131 in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee Wednesday.

"Doing anything less would be dangerous to the public and create an unfair financial burden on already strapped county governments," said Ebratt.

The committee voted 6-0 in favor of the bill and it now needs approval of the full House of Representatives and the Senate before it can make its way to the Governor's desk.

Ebratt said the bill was approved in committee by both Republicans and Democrats. While the Chairman cautioned about the state's tenuous budget situation, he said moving the bill forward was the right thing to do.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer announced Jan. 15 that ADJC should be closed this year to save the state about $67 million. Her proposal would eliminate 900 jobs.

Ebratt advised members to remain vigilant and monitor the actions of their elected officials.

"This is only the beginning," he said. "While we are hopeful that this legislation will finally pass, the inner-workings of the political process are not always so predictable. Members should stay alert to what's happening in the Capitol, and when we call for backup, be ready to get involved."

"While this is a positive step forward, AZCOPS isn't taking anything for granted," said President Larry A. Lopez. "We won't rest until this issue is finally settled in a way that protects our members and the communities they serve."  Back to top

AZCOPS is responding to Governor's call to close state's juvenile facilities

(Posted: Jan. 19, 2010)

AZCOPS attorneys, legislative and administrative staff, and Board members are working around the clock to implement a political plan of action in response to the Governor's announcement Jan. 15 that the state's juvenile correctional facilities will be closed.

AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez said today that the leadership of the union has mobilized all of its resources to fight the proposal. These severe budget cuts put AZCOPS members and their families in financial peril and place our communities at an alarming risk.

"At no point in the history of our state have we seen elected officials act with such blatant disregard for the public's safety," he said. "It will take all of us working together to effectively communicate our message as we attempt to change the direction of the Legislature and this Governor."

Members should check email regularly in the coming days as additional updates are distributed.

"Our goal is to keep members informed and involved at every step," Lopez said.

AZCOPS members who may be directly effected by the proposed facility closures are encouraged to share your stories with us. Send us email today. 

► Contact House Committee Members

AZCOPS members are asked to contact members of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee and tell them to VOTE YES on HB 2131 on Jan. 20th. 

A YES VOTE on HB 2131 will extend operations of the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections to July 1, 2015. House members who vote against the bill will be voting to end department operations on July 1, 2010.

The Committee will hear the bill at 9 a.m. Jan. 20. Click on the links below to send emails right away to committee members.

Sam Crump
Patricia V. Fleming
David Gowan
Barbara McGuire
Daniel Patterson
Carl Seel
David W. Stevens
Jerry Weiers Chairman

 

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Association leaders were recognized during the 8th Annual AZCOPS Convention Oct. 17 in Laughlin, NV. From left are Oscar Rosas of Nogales POA, Victor Figueroa of San Luis POA, David Sargent of Pinetop-Lakeside POA, Aki Stant of City of Maricopa PA, Vincent Schaan of Chino Valley POA, AZCOPS General Counsel Martin Bihn, AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez, Chris Palic of Oro Valley POA, Michael Bott of Oro Valley POA, and Edward Arvizu of Bullhead City POA. (Click image to enlarge.) 

   AZCOPS leaders convene for training, networking opportunities

From training sessions on politics, legal matters, discipline grievance and collective bargaining, the Eighth Annual AZCOPS Convention Oct. 16-18 offered something for all members and association leaders.

"This year's convention was packed full of information that members and leaders will be able to use to grow their membership and help build their political influence," said AZCOPS President Larry A. Lopez.

Keynote speakers for this year's two-day convention were Jim Spearing of JMS Associates of Florida, and John Doran of the National Coalition of Public Safety Officers. Grievance training was presented by  Mike Gurr, chairman of the Tucson POA Grievance Committee, and sessions on legal issues and a legislative update were presented by AZCOPS General Counsel Martin Bihn, Attorney Mike Storie and Government Relations Director Luis Ebratt.  Back to top