Search News
For the Media
For media inquiries, call CWA Communications at 202-434-1168 or email comms@cwa-union.org. To read about CWA Members, Leadership or Industries, visit our About page.
3,000 "COPS" Bring Law and Order to CWA
The California Organization of Police and Sheriffs (COPS) has brought its more than 3,000 members into CWA. Leaders of the two unions announced the signing of an affiliation agreement on April 7.
"This affiliation provides the opportunity for COPS to expand its ability to organize California law enforcement officers," said COPS Executive Director Monty Holden. "CWA is well known for its organizing expertise, and we intend to tap into that resource to build the COPS membership base."
Holden also noted that the affiliation would allow COPS and CWA to expand their political connections for the mutual benefit of both organizations.
Said CWA District 9 Vice President Tony Bixler, who signed the affiliation agreement along with COPS President Ed Gray, "We are very excited about having COPS as a part of the CWA union family. COPS is already a strong force and household name in California, and the COPS-CWA relationship will be a force to be reckoned with at the local, county and state government levels."
John Burpo, director of CWA's National Coalition of Public Safety Officers, has ties to COPS dating to its formation in the 1970s. His colleague Jerry Crowley, formerly president of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, founded COPS, intending it to become the preeminent police labor organization in California.
Burpo praised the organization for providing sound legal representation for its members, for having a strong lobbying presence in the state capital and for its unique and dynamic approach to organizing. "They want to build their membership," Burpo said.
He was particularly impressed by COPS' Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program, or LEAP. COPS conducts for-credit Saturday classes at Riverside Community College with an eye toward attracting minorities to the law enforcement profession.
"They teach them about the criminal justice system, law enforcement agencies, and they provide some instruction about taking civil service tests," Burpo said. "They've had some people go on to jobs with law enforcement agencies. It's a concept we're excited about."
Among others who represented CWA in presentations to COPS' leadership were CWA Representative John Doran of District 9 and Rich Anemone, president of the Tucson Police Officers Association/CWA.
"This affiliation provides the opportunity for COPS to expand its ability to organize California law enforcement officers," said COPS Executive Director Monty Holden. "CWA is well known for its organizing expertise, and we intend to tap into that resource to build the COPS membership base."
Holden also noted that the affiliation would allow COPS and CWA to expand their political connections for the mutual benefit of both organizations.
Said CWA District 9 Vice President Tony Bixler, who signed the affiliation agreement along with COPS President Ed Gray, "We are very excited about having COPS as a part of the CWA union family. COPS is already a strong force and household name in California, and the COPS-CWA relationship will be a force to be reckoned with at the local, county and state government levels."
John Burpo, director of CWA's National Coalition of Public Safety Officers, has ties to COPS dating to its formation in the 1970s. His colleague Jerry Crowley, formerly president of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, founded COPS, intending it to become the preeminent police labor organization in California.
Burpo praised the organization for providing sound legal representation for its members, for having a strong lobbying presence in the state capital and for its unique and dynamic approach to organizing. "They want to build their membership," Burpo said.
He was particularly impressed by COPS' Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program, or LEAP. COPS conducts for-credit Saturday classes at Riverside Community College with an eye toward attracting minorities to the law enforcement profession.
"They teach them about the criminal justice system, law enforcement agencies, and they provide some instruction about taking civil service tests," Burpo said. "They've had some people go on to jobs with law enforcement agencies. It's a concept we're excited about."
Among others who represented CWA in presentations to COPS' leadership were CWA Representative John Doran of District 9 and Rich Anemone, president of the Tucson Police Officers Association/CWA.