Need Legal Assistance or Help With Internal Affairs? Contact The Lodge or Jim Vanande
Lodge Labor Council
In 1996 there was established within our Lodge a standing committe designated the "Labor Council", this "Labor Council" has been established to represent Sheriff's Office Deputies, Correctional Officers, and Civilian Employees in all matters relating to labor and working conditions. The "Labor Council" has been certified as the bargaining agent between the Deputies, Correctional Officers, Civilian Employees and the Sheriff. A civilian member is part of the negotiations, and is voted into the council by the labor members. In 2004 the civilian employees became part of the Labor Council at our lodge.
Internal Affairs Investigations
During an "Internal Affairs Investigation", under Florida Statutes, you are entitled to be represented by counsel or any other representative who shall be present at all times during such interrogation relating to the investigation whenever the interrogation relates to the officers continued fitness for law enforcement or correctional service. Our Lodge provides free assistance in these matters and will provide a knowledgeable representative who can advise you on your rights. Our State Labor Council provides trained experienced representatives to represent our members at such investigations. These representatives are assisted by your own elected members of the Lodge Labor Council.
State Labor Council Legal Defense Plan
The Labor Council has numerous local plan Attorneys and full time, labor trained staff of representatives who are assigned to service our area. These are people who you will be able to contact anytime of the day or night should the need arise.
Any active Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Florida is eligible for membership in the Legal Defense Plan. Also any public safety employee that is not a police officer and is employed by a law enforcement agency is eligible ( in our Lodge, these civilians are represented by the Associate Lodge ).
Covered by the plan is:
1.) Defense of criminal matters in duty related incidents.
2.) Defense of civil lawsuits arising out of duty related incidents.
3.) Defense of administrative actions.
What if you want your own attorney to represent you? Fine, no problem, just submit his name for certification and the plan will pay the same amount they pay to other plan attorneys to your attorney.
Collective Bargaining
After being instructed by the Labor Council membership your bargaining committee represents you in negotiations between the Lodge and the Sheriff's Office.
This committee consists of six members: one road patrol officer, one detective, one "at large member", two officers from corrections and one executive board member and is assisted by our State Labor Council Representative who is trained and experienced in labor negotiations. The committee members are appointed by the Labor Council Board. Any and all agreements with the Sheriff's Office are reduced to writing and signed by both parties. The agreement is not binding upon the Bargaining Unit unless and until a majority of the unit members in good standing present and voting at a special meeting called solely for such purpose, shall ratify such agreement by secret ballot vote.
Remember you make the decision on how you will be represented by electing your own Labor Officers and Representatives. Attend the labor meetings and vote.
