On Thursday, August 23rd, 2007
I met with the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Troopers
Association. Below is a
brief synopsis of the items discussed:
1. The Board met with our Attorney Marvin Masters
regarding the current status of
our law suits filed pertaining to Plan
B retirement and our suit against the American State Troopers
Association. The Board is
also setting up a program with Master and Taylor Law Firm to assist WVTA
members with legal questions and provide a number to call in the event
of an urgent question. All
matters referred to Mr. Masters will still need Board approval,
however, he will be available to assist all WVTA members with
questions that may arise regarding any number of issues.
Our continued thanks and gratitude go out to Mr. Masters for his
tireless work on behalf of the WVTA.
2. The Board met with our CWA / NCPSO (National
Coalition of Pubilc Safety Officers) representative John
Burpo who came in from Texas to
meet with the Troopers Association.
Mr. Burpo addressed the Bill in front of the United States
Congress/Senate establishing a Police Officers Bill of Rights.
For further on these bills you can look them up (HB3440 which has
passed the House and going to the Senate and HB980 which addresses
collective bargaining rights).
Read these bills and contact your US Congressmen
and Senators in support of these bills.
3. The
Department has recently received $10,000,000.00 for radio communication
improvements. We look
forward to a new radio system in the state that will provide better
communications not only with our own dispatch but with statewide law
enforcement and EMS.
4. The
Board also set our 2008 legislative agenda which, at this time, will
address: Plan B 55-50, on
call pay, support of a pay increase for all state employees (including
WVSP) and a few others are being considered at this time.
5.
Trooper Shaun Curran and wife Christy gave birth to their daughter,
Madison Ryan on August 25th.
Shaun’s daughter was three months premature and will be at Ruby
Memorial Hospital for a minimum of two months before being able to go
home. Our thoughts and
prayers are with Shaun, Christy and the family during this difficult
time.
6. With
the special session of the WV Legislature now over a new bill regarding
the Mullins Case (electronic surveillance act) was passed on Aug. 21st.
The new law will enable undercover officers to record suspects in
their homes while undercover as long as the law enforcement obtains a
petition from any judge or magistrate within that county.
(if you need to know more or would like a copy of the new law
contact me).
*On August 17th Troop 1 members Ryon
Anderson and Bobby Busick participated in the Nevada Police and Fire
Games in Las Vegas.
Anderson and Busick competed in the submission wrestling events and Ryon
Anderson walked away with a FIRST PLACE GOLD Medal while Bobby Busick
walked away with a Second Place Silver Medal.
GONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH on an awesome job!
The next Board of Directors meeting is set for
September 16th in Morgantown.
All WVTA members are urged to attend.
As of this time I have NOT received any questions or
concerns from any Troop 1 members.
If you have any questions contact me.
J.M.Andreas
Troop 1 Representative
