As the effective date is upon us and the State's public safety reform bills are about to take effect, please read the statement made by Legislators Goodman and Johnson. There will be more to come. We continue to work for you. Remember, we proudly stand with our members. Be sure to check in with each other, and don't take any unnecessary risks.

July 23, 2021

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our prayers to the family, friends, and brothers and sisters in law enforcement after the murder of another WACOPS member at the hands of violent criminals in our state.  As said by Tacoma Local Union #6, “Deputy Jeremy Brown gave the ultimate sacrifice protecting and serving his community and died a hero.”   

The WACOPS Benevolent Fund, an account funded through member contributions, will be sending a check to support funeral related expenses.  Our national partner, the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA), will also be sending a check of support. 

Please Welcome Puget Sound Police Managers Association to WACOPS

We are so pleased to announce the membership of PSPMA.  PSPMA is made up of Lts., Cpts. and contract city Chiefs for King County.  We enjoyed getting to know the leadership of PSPMA this past session as we worked cooperatively in our Law Enforcement Labor Coalition effecting the trajectory of the law enforcement reform bills.  We look forward to continuing those efforts and more challenges to come. 

It is with deep sadness and grief that we are informing you of the passing of our Vice President, GRC Chair, and friend, Lynnwood Guild President Mark Brinkman.  We first announced this in the Legislative Update and on our Facebook page last Monday, April 12.  

Mark had almost 35 years on the job, was active in his community and church.  Mark suffered a medical emergency at his home on Sunday night, April 11 and later died at an area hospital.  Anyone that had the opportunity to know Mark was lucky.  He was a good man and represented all that is good in humanity and the profession of law enforcement.  He will be missed. 

It is a tremendous honor to announce that the King County Police Officers Guild Board has elected to rejoin WACOPS.  It’s been a long time since we’ve had the investment of the King County deputies and we are thrilled to welcome them back.  If you have a friend with the King County Police Officers Guild, I hope you will reach out to them and encourage them to get involved.  Please invite them to one of the upcoming meetings, encourage them to participate in the WACOPS Annual Scholarship process, update them on our work, and share why you are a proud member. 

As members of our Law Enforcement Labor Advocacy Coalition this legislative session, KCPOG has worked closely with us on the strategy we launched in response to the reform bills this session.  The leadership of KCPOG is dedicated to the issues and I know they will come to our meetings and actively work with us all as we all fight for the labor rights, pension, and safety you deserve. 

After a couple years of consideration and conversation, the WACOPS Executive Board has elected to affiliate to the International Union of Police Associations.  As you know, WACOPS is the voice of law enforcement in WA and by affiliating to the International Union of Police Associations we gain the support and influence of the only union chartered exclusively for law enforcement and law enforcement support personnel. This will only make us stronger.

While IUPA’s officers, active and retired law enforcement, fight to improve the lives of their brothers and sisters in law enforcement, they do so by actively working to improve legislation that protects and affects public safety officers, as well as representing the needs of law enforcement officers and support personnel, whether that be for better equipment, more staff or a fair wage.

WACOPS’ subsidiary, Public Safety Employees Insurance, Inc is working with its new broker, LBG Advisors, to make sure you have an alternative to the State mandated Long Term Health Care Trust.  In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed the Long-Term Health Care Trust.  In short, the trust would be funded through mandatory payroll deductions, and those that vest in the program before they leave employment would be entitled to a very small ($100 per day for 365 days) insurance for their long-term care needs.  The State developed the program because most people are not covered for their long-term care needs and future burdens on the Medicaid system is expected to be financially crushing to the State. 

You have options!  WACOPS, along with employers and our friends at the WSCFF worked to get an amendment to the Trust this session.  The Trust will still go into effect in January of 2022, but employees will be able to opt out of the mandatory tax if they have a bone fide alternative long term care policy in place.  You will be required to opt out by November of 2021.  There are things to consider before you just jump to opting out and you will need to give any alternative serious consideration.  Even so, we believe you should have options and you should be the one to decide what long term care program is going to be best for you.