IUPA is one of the most influential voices for law enforcement, as the only union chartered exclusive to give a voice to public sector law enforcement officers. IUPA’s mission is to fight tirelessly to ensure that LEOs maintain rights and receive pay and benefits they deserve.
With extensive collective bargaining experience, IUPA is uniquely positioned to provide support to locals to get the most for their members in negotiations. ACOP/Local 5 has opted for full service, which provides the local with advice, representation and counsel in collective bargaining, impasse proceedings, and other administrative proceedings such as unfair labor practice proceedings related to negotiations. This means that the Local and the officers will not need to pay out of pocket for an attorney – a huge benefit as Alexandria takes the plunge into collective bargaining for the first time in many decades. Fortunately, ACOP/Local 5’s counsel, Heidi Meinzer, is one of the only attorneys in the Commonwealth of Virginia with experience on this front. Heidi’s connections and collaboration with IAFF and AFSCME have laid the foundation for strong protections under Alexandria’s new collective bargaining ordinance.
IUPA membership also provides thorough coverage to individual members. In today’s climate, law enforcement officers around the country are rightfully concerned about increased civil and criminal exposure. It is more important than ever to join a strong union that provides individual members with comprehensive coverage for administrative and disciplinary proceedings, criminal investigations and prosecutions, and indemnification and defense in civil matters. Membership in the Alexandria Committee of Police/IUPA Local 5 provides unparalleled coverage in all three areas.
For administrative and disciplinary proceedings, IUPA provides legal counsel to advise and represent members. For criminal and civil proceedings, IUPA has teamed up with the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) operated by the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) to offer unparalleled coverage and indemnification. PORAC’S LDF serves more than 135,000 public safety members nationwide with a reserve of over $30,000,000. LDF provides coverage for criminal and civil matters involving acts or omissions within the scope of LEO employment. PORAC’s membership is exclusive in areas that have an IUPA local, meaning that other organizations operating in the same locality as IUPA will not have access to LDF’s benefits. ACOP/Local 5’s counsel, Heidi Meinzer, is an LDF panel attorney. Because she lives and works less than a mile from APD Headquarters, she can respond instantly to any emergency calls.
On top of the coverage mentioned agove, IUPA provides its members with legislative support on local, state, national levels. IUPA’s General Counsel Office provides training and legal updates to locals’ leaders, attorneys and members. IUPA’s Secretary/Treasurer Office provides training to locals on budget and financial issues. IUPA’s Communications State provides public information support, research, and publication to assist its locals. IUPA membership also provides its members and their families with additional savings through Union Plus’s Perks.
