September 2011

The last time I wrote about the ever-diminishing protections for public employee free speech was in the fall of 2009 – in the wake of three Ninth Circuit decisions that made a complete hash of First Amendment jurisprudence.  Two recent federal cases now provide both a step forward and a step back.  Given the confused state of the law on this subject, even partial progress might be considered something of an improvement.

The San Francisco Police Department recently announced that it would be taking applications for the position of police officer . . . We now move to the offices of the SF Police Officers’ Association to eavesdrop on a call that may/may not have taken place . . .

Union guy: “POA may I help you?”

Optimistic Police Candidate: “Yes, I was thinking about taking the test to join your Department, can you tell me something about the job?”

Sandy Tuvera addresses California lawmakers…

On Thursday, August 25, 2011, Sandy Tuvera, mother of slain San Francisco Police Officer Bryan Tuvera, traveled to our state capitol in Sacramento to address a Senate Panel Forum on Conservation Camps in relation to Assembly Bill 109 and the impact prisoners will have on this program.

“I want to make it clear to all of you that I shall never give the order ‘abandon ship’, the only way you can leave the ship is if she sinks beneath your feet.”

       Admiral Earl Mountbatten, 1949, order to his crew while commander of HMS Kelly.

At a specially scheduled Emergency Board Meeting on Wednesday, August 24, 2011, the POA Board of Directors ratified the Election Committee recommendations for the upcoming November elections. The endorsements will be as follows:

Mayor: 

• Mayor Edwin Lee
• City Attorney Dennis Herrera
• Former Supervisor Michaela Alioto-Pier
• Former Supervisor Bevan Dufty

District Attorney: