The Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association (VBPA) is one of the best performing unions around Virginia. This union was established in 1983 and has since been focusing its focus on protecting the rights of the officers it represents. Its board comprises of an elected and non-compensating members. It is led by a president and vice president elected by the members. The union represents over 300 hundred police officers, master police officers and various detectives from around Virginia. It has a well-established relationship with the local City Council of Virginia and the state’s general assembly. The main financial source of VBPA is through members and the community’s contributions. The VBPA is also affiliated with other internationally recognized unions such as the International Union of Police Associations that has significantly continued to support the course led by the union.
One of the major benefits promoted by VBPA has been the influence toward its members. It has facilitated this through legal representation and assisting the community around Virginia Beach. Representation of its members has been through compensation which is vital in ensuring that police officers under it are compensated for the service that they have given to the nation during their days on duty. This has been significant especially in rewarding police officers who have performed exemplary while in office. As a gesture of thankfulness, the union offers rewards and compensation where necessary to its police members.
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Legal representation is a key aspect in the police department. The VBPA has acknowledged this fact and significantly work towards representing its members for legal matters when the need arises. This has been one of the most important parts that the union has played in terms of police representation. Through its established relationship with the local and federal leadership, VBPA has been very substantial in police representation. Benefits and working conditions are very influential in the everyday police environment. This is an indication that they ought to be provided with humane working conditions, as an attempt of promoting their rights (Fisk & Richardson, 2017). The union is very helpful as it works towards ensuring that police officers are provided with the best working environment. The leadership of VBPA has been very important in ensuring that its members are accorded with the right working conditions.
Loyalty to federal laws and issuance of complaint has been another significant role played by VBPA as it continues to protect its members. The union provides a platform for its members to understand their roles and how various laws affects their operation. They are also an ideal channel of issuing grievance from its members to specific authorities with the state and at the federal level. In terms of its member’s cooperation, the union also facilitates ways of ensuring that its members have a common language that is directed towards mutual understanding. This is return safeguards the way operations are carried out by the police officers.
The union is also important in promoting and fostering a better environment between its members and the society in general. This is a suggestion that its efforts are also directed towards a peaceful existence between police officers and society they operate in. The environment provided by this promotion is key by ensuring that there is effective cooperation between the police and the citizens. The union is also actively involved in community programs that aim at raising the standards of the citizens. One of the programs is its support toward education. This has been evident with the union’s cooperation with Windsor Oaks Elementary school. The support has had a big impact toward the growth of education levels in the community.
Reference
Fisk, C., & Richardson, S.L. (2017). Police unions. The George Washington Law Review, 85 (3), 712-799.