Police Story: Brian Marvel of PORAC

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Crime has been a big issue in California in recent years, and we have seen a significant number of high profile bills dealing with issues like fentanyl, human trafficking and organized retail theft in recent years. While legislation out of Sacramento may help with some Public Safetly issues, recruitment and retention problems plague many Law enforcement agencies in the state. And, no wonder – despite competitive salaries and benefits, many officers still can’t afford to live in the communities they serve.

We’re joined today by Brian Marvel, President of the Police Officers Research Association of California, which represents about 80,000 public safety personnel in this state – PORAC is the largest law enforcement organization in the state and the largest statewide association in the country. Marvel has been wearing a badge for a quarter century and spoke with us about what’s changed during his time in uniform, PORAC’s goals for diversifying departments and what legislation he and his organization are watching this year.

Plus, as always, Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics.

SHOW NOTES:

1:36 What is PORAC?

3:57 Advocacy role?

5:19 District Attorneys’ push to revamp Prop. 47

6:55 Statewide standards for use of canines in law enforcement

12:49 Retention and recruitment

16:03 A middle class job

18:11 Officers priced out of the communities they serve

20:17 Thinking outside the box: “30 in 30”

21:46 Mental health support

26:45 What has changed over the years?

29:16 West Coast policing vs. East Coast

34:36 #WWCA