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