On the Job with PORAC

The session is over. The work isn't. In this episode of On the Job with PORAC, President Brian Marvel and Vice President Ben Therriault sit down with Randy Perry of Perry Strategies, PORAC's legislative advocate, to look back on the 2025–2026 legislative session—what PORAC's advocacy delivered for California's peace officers and what still needs to be finished. AB 1383 headlines the conversation. Working alongside California Professional Firefighters, PORAC moved the retirement modernization bill to the governor's desk with only two no votes before it was vetoed. PORAC plans to bring it back next session. The episode also goes inside the defensive work that rarely makes headlines: amendments that protected undercover operations, prisoner transport and SWAT in a rental car bill; the push for a California-first approach as Los Angeles looks to bring in out-of-state officers for the 2028 Olympics; and last-minute language in SB 577 that would give an LA ombudsperson unfettered access to officers' personnel files—now delayed until 2028 while PORAC works to remove or limit it.

A sentence is supposed to mean what it says. In the latest episode of On the Job with PORAC, PORAC President Brian Marvel and PORAC Treasurer Sean McKrell sit down with Anne Marie Schubert of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation and victim advocate Phyllis Loya to examine California’s new Board of Parole Hearings regulations and what they could mean for life-without-parole sentences. The regulations establish a “second look” process for people who have served 25 years, including some people sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Critics argue that the process creates a de facto parole system without an act of the Legislature, undermines lawful sentences, and forces victims’ families to confront the possibility that a sentence they understood to be final may no longer be final. The episode explores the legal concerns, the impact on victims and their families, the importance of meaningful notice and participation, and CJLF’s lawsuit challenging the regulations. PORAC stands with the families who have already paid the ultimate price and with the principle that life without parole should mean life without parole. Connect and Learn More Criminal Justice Legal Foundation https://cjlf.org/   Anne Marie Schubert Twitter: https://x.com/schubertstrat Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/schubertstrat/   Brian Marvel Twitter: https://x.com/BrianMarvel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianmarvel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brian.R.Marvel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarvel/   Sean McKrell Twitter: https://x.com/Seanjamm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanjamm/  

In this episode of On the Job with PORAC, PORAC President Brian Marvel and Vice President Ben Therriault sit down with PORAC Legislative Advocate Randy Perry of Perry Strategies to unpack the findings of PORAC’s new report, “The PEPRA Problem: How California’s Pension Reform Created a Public Safety Crisis,” and the path forward with AB 1383 (McKinnor). More than a decade after the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act took effect, its unintended consequences are impossible to ignore. PEPRA created a two-tiered retirement system in which two officers doing the same job, in the same department, facing the same risks, retire under vastly different formulas — with new members facing a higher retirement age, capped pensionable compensation, and a requirement to pay half the normal cost of their own benefits. The conversation walks through how California got here, what 14 years of evidence actually show, and what AB 1383 would change: aligning the pensionable compensation caps with federal limits, adjusting public safety retirement formulas to age 55 on a prospective basis, and restoring the ability of local agencies and their associations to negotiate a formula that fits their community. Randy, Brian and Ben also take on the criticism head-on — the false comparison to SB 400, the claim that AB 1383 is a state mandate, and the argument that cities and counties cannot afford it — and walk through CalPERS’ own cost study. With the bill through the Assembly on a 70-2 vote and the Senate ahead, this episode makes the case that PEPRA modernization is not a partisan fight — it is a public safety fight. Connect and Learn More Perry Strategies https://perrystrat.com/ Brian Marvel Twitter: https://x.com/BrianMarvel Instagram: / brianmarvel Facebook: / brian.r.marvel LinkedIn: / brianmarvel Ben Therriault Twitter: https://x.com/BenTherriault LinkedIn: / btherriault

In this episode of On the Job with PORAC, PORAC President Brian Marvel and Vice President Ben Therriault sit down with Dan Haley, Chief Legal Officer at Flock Safety, and retired San Diego Police Captain Jeff Jordan to discuss one of the fastest-growing and most debated public safety technologies in modern policing: Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems. As California lawmakers continue debating new restrictions and privacy standards surrounding ALPR use, this conversation breaks down what the technology does — and just as importantly — what it does not do. The discussion explores how ALPR systems support investigations, recover stolen vehicles, locate missing persons, identify suspects, and create investigative leads for agencies facing staffing shortages — all while operating under constitutional standards, retention policies, audit logs, and growing accountability measures. Guests also address common misconceptions around surveillance concerns, explain California’s evolving legislative framework, and discuss how transparency, privacy safeguards, and responsible implementation can coexist with effective public safety strategies. As technology continues to shape the future of policing, this episode explores how agencies can responsibly leverage innovation while maintaining public trust. Connect and Learn More Flock Safey: https://www.flocksafety.com/ Brian Marvel Twitter: https://x.com/BrianMarvel Instagram: / brianmarvel Facebook: / brian.r.marvel LinkedIn: / brianmarvel   Ben Therriault Twitter: https://x.com/BenTherriault LinkedIn: / btherriault

In this episode of On the Job with PORAC, PORAC President Brian Marvel and Vice President Ben Therriault sit down with attorney and police policy expert Bob Scales to discuss one of the most controversial issues facing modern law enforcement: federal consent decrees.   Drawing from PORAC’s report Evaluating Police Consent Decrees: From Compliance to Results, the conversation explores how these federal oversight agreements impact officer morale, recruitment, public safety, city budgets, and local control of policing. Bob Scales shares firsthand experience working inside Seattle’s federal consent decree and breaks down how many of these agreements evolve into years-long compliance systems that cost taxpayers millions while raising serious questions about effectiveness and accountability.   The episode also examines the growing financial burden placed on cities, the role of federal judges and monitors, the lack of transparency surrounding DOJ investigations, and the need for legislative reform and guardrails moving forward.   As more agencies across the country face increasing federal scrutiny, this episode serves as an important discussion about balancing accountability, constitutional policing, public safety, and local governance.   Connect and Learn More   Police Strategies: http://policestrategies.com/ Brian Marvel Twitter: https://x.com/BrianMarvel Instagram: / brianmarvel Facebook: / brian.r.marvel LinkedIn: / brianmarvel   Ben Therriault Twitter: https://x.com/BenTherriault LinkedIn: / btherriault

In this episode of On the Job with PORAC, PORAC President Brian Marvel sits down with RAM Chairman Chris Coulter to discuss the importance of staying connected after retirement and the continued value of PORAC’s Retired Associate Membership (RAM) program. The conversation highlights how RAM helps retired peace officers remain informed, engaged, and protected long after active service ends. Brian and Chris discuss continued legislative advocacy, access to PORAC benefits and resources, the importance of retiree representation in public safety policy, and how RAM helps officers maintain strong ties to the profession and one another.   They also break down key retiree benefits including access to PORAC’s Legal Defense Fund Plan V, nationwide support and protection, legislative victories like the Social Security Fairness Act, and why retirees continue to play a critical role in advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels.   As RAM continues to expand nationally, this episode serves as an important reminder that retirement does not mean losing your voice, your protection, or your connection to the profession.   Connect and Learn More   PORAC Retired Associate Membership (RAM)   https://porac.org/about/committees/retired-associate-membership/   Brian Marvel Twitter: https://x.com/BrianMarvel Instagram: / brianmarvel Facebook: / brian.r.marvel LinkedIn: / brianmarvel

In this episode of On the Job with PORAC, President Brian Marvel and Vice President Ben Therriault sit down with PORAC Legal Defense Fund (LDF) Chair Alan Kuboyama and National Executive Director Fred Rowbotham to break down one of the most important protections peace officers have today; PORAC’s Legal Defense Fund.   From its roots in officers “passing the hat” to defend their own, LDF was built by officers, for officers, and why it continues to serve as the premier legal defense program nationwide. Supporting members through critical incidents to its current scale of over 161,000 members across all 50 states, with more than $80 million in reserves. LDF has evolved into a cornerstone benefit designed to protect careers, finances, and families.   Brian, Ben, Alan, and Fred discuss the realities officers face today — including increased scrutiny, parallel investigations, and the rising complexity of critical incidents. They also highlight the importance of experienced legal representation, access to top-tier experts, and the financial backing necessary to defend members in high-stakes situations.   Connect and Learn More   PORAC Legal Defense Fund https://poracldf.org/   Brian Marvel Twitter: https://x.com/BrianMarvel Instagram: / brianmarvel Facebook: / brian.r.marvel LinkedIn: / brianmarvel   Ben Therriault Twitter: https://x.com/BenTherriault LinkedIn: / btherriault

In this episode of On the Job with PORAC, President Brian Marvel and Vice President Ben Therriault sit down with Steve Latham, Chair of the PORAC Insurance and Benefits Trust (IBT), and Damon Kurtz, IBT Recruitment & Retention Manager, for a comprehensive conversation about one of the most impactful benefits available to PORAC members. The discussion explores how IBT delivers health, disability, and life insurance programs designed specifically for peace officers and their families. Unlike traditional insurance companies, IBT is member-governed and nonprofit; meaning the decisions affecting benefits, rates, and coverage are made by active peace officers who understand the profession firsthand. The episode highlights the real-world value of IBT’s PPO health plan, its mission for portability across all 50 states, the long-term protection offered through its disability coverage, and the common-sense approach trustees apply when reviewing claims and appeals. A major focus of the conversation is IBT’s continued expansion, including its ability to serve members nationwide while maintaining rate stability and high-quality benefits. The episode reinforces a simple but powerful message: these benefits are built by cops, for cops. They exist to protect members when they need it most.   Connect and Learn More PORAC Insurance & Benefits Trust https://ibtofporac.org/ Brian Marvel Twitter: https://x.com/BrianMarvel Instagram: / brianmarvel Facebook: / brian.r.marvel LinkedIn: / brianmarvel

In this episode of On the Job with PORAC, Brian Marvel sits down with Mark Nichols, Executive Director, and Juan Viramontes, President, of the California Peace Officers Memorial Foundation (CPOMF) for a powerful and forward-looking conversation centered on the expansion of the California Peace Officers Memorial.   The discussion highlights why the Memorial must grow to meet the needs of the future, creating permanent space for fallen officers’ names, improving accessibility for surviving families, and ensuring the Memorial remains a place of dignity, reflection, and remembrance for generations to come. Mark and Juan share how the Memorial serves as a critical point of healing for families and why thoughtful design and permanence matter deeply to survivors.   The central focus of the episode is the Memorial expansion project, a transformative investment that goes beyond construction. The conversation outlines the vision behind the expansion, the symbolism built into its design, the urgency of fundraising efforts, and how PORAC members, associations, and supporters can play a direct role in bringing this historic project to life. This episode reinforces that honoring the fallen is not a moment in time, but a lasting responsibility, and that the Memorial expansion is essential to preserving that legacy.   Connect and Learn More California Peace Officers Memorial Fund https://camemorial.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capeaceofficersmemorial/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAPeaceOfficersMemorial   Brian Marvel Twitter: https://x.com/BrianMarvel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianmarvel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brian.R.Marvel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarvel/  

For California peace officers, retirement planning extends far beyond pensions. Access to affordable, stable health care after retirement remains one of the most significant concerns facing law enforcement professionals and their families. The PORAC Retiree Medical Trust (RMT) was created to address that challenge, providing long-term retiree health care solutions designed specifically for public safety professionals. As medical costs rise and traditional retiree benefits continue to shift, RMT plays a critical role in ensuring officers can retire with confidence and security. This episode focuses on a deep dive into how RMT works, why early planning matters, and how PORAC members can better prepare for a healthy and financially stable retirement.   Connect and Learn More https://poracrmt.org/ Brian Marvel Twitter: https://x.com/BrianMarvel Instagram: / brianmarvel Facebook: / brian.r.marvel LinkedIn: / brianmarvel   Ben Therriault Twitter: https://x.com/BenTherriault LinkedIn: / btherriault