OPENING

Ray Hunt called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance, and began the meeting in prayer by Pastor Lewis.

MEETING DEDICATION

The meeting was dedicated to Officer Daryl Wayne Shirley who died in the line of duty in 1982.  Officer Joe Gamaldi read the dedication.

GUESTS: Mike Sullivan was in attendance.

Bert Keller with Energy Ogre spoke to the membership and provided information to his company. All members were provided with the contact number so if they desired to have Energy Ogre assist them in their electrical needs they would be able to contact them.

INVESTIGATOR OF THE MONTH

There was no investigator of the Month for March.

PATROL OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Officers Guerra and Combs received the patrol officer of the month award presented by Doug Griffith.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Ray informed all in attendance that the treasurer’s report was on the tables and asked if there were any questions. Ray then advised the membership that if they had any questions they could contact Tim Butler and he would assist them.

Reminders that the minutes are at HPOU.org

COMMUNICATIONS

Ray stated that the PAC Committee met and screened all the candidates for the upcoming Mayoral race. Ray advised that several of the candidates screened very well but in the end Sylvester Turner blew everyone away and secured the endorsement. Ray also stated that Turner has since received the endorsement from the Firefighters Union, the Municipal Employees Union, and Metro Police Union. Ray advised the Board that Turner would receive no PAC funds until after June when the Legislative session is complete.

Ray then made a clarification in regards to the current contract. Ray told the membership that from February 26 and forward all mandatory in-service training will be on duty. Ray then read the highlights of HPD Circular # 15-0326-073 which outlined the changes in the contract.

Ray then told the membership of the upcoming scholarship breakfast. Ray stated it would be on April 18 at 10:30 am.

Ray reminded the membership that open enrollment ends April 15^th.

Ray advised the membership that there are guns for purchase from Tim Butler. Tim has AR-15s in stock, which will be sold at cost and in addition he has 223 ammo.

Ray then told the membership that the new uniforms are coming and should be distributed in July. Ray advised uniform supply was possibly looking at using the Union Hall to distribute the uniforms.

Ray then advised the membership that effective today officers could now check their subpoenas via their smart phones. Ray stated that with the new subpoena system and court system, that the reporting time with the municipal courts is now back to 0800 hrs.

Ray advised the membership that the Cookout at North Division was well received. The next cookout will be Wed April 22th at the Southeast Division.

Ray advised the membership that HOPA the Peer support group is live 832-200-3499 and that if any Officer was in need of assistance or knew of an Officer who needed help, to please call for assistance.

Ray them informed the membership of the KCOH radio promotion. Ray stated that Ben Hall is seeking good police stories to be submitted and the HPOU will chose one, and present the citizen with a gift card.

Ray advised the membership that the outside Attorneys/Conflict cases are now in the calendars.

Ray then advised the membership of the possibility of a third Vice President spot. Ray stated that the amendment to the constitution would be placed on the ballot to be voted upon by the membership.

Ray then stated that on Saturday April 18^th the Northwest PIP meeting would be held at 11am. Ray stated all members were invited and that all monies would benefit the ATO.

Ray advised the membership that the Badge and gun is going public and the email to receive it is Badgeandgun@hpou.org If you have a family or friend who lives in the City of Houston and wants to receive the Badge and Gun, please send an email.

Ray then told the membership that there should have been 100 tactical vests distributed to patrol stations. Ray stated that the vests had been at the SWAT office and had been sitting there for an extended period of time. When the command staff found that the vests were not distributed as they should have been, calls were made and the vests were distributed.

Ray advised the membership that there would be Support HPD shirts for sale. Ray advised that the shirts would be sold for $5 each and could be shipped for a total of $10.

Ray told the membership that the HPOU App is now up and running. Ray stated that you could get the App free of charge from the App Store or Google Play. Ray encouraged all Board members to continue to push the App to the members.

Ray then advised the membership of the Shields of Christ event in which Officer Robles was looking for participants. Ray stated any member who wished to attend should contact Robles for the information.

Ray advised the membership that Mid-American Lending representative Mickey Keyes was here for any officer interested in a refinance or home loan. Ray advised that Mickey Keyes would donate $100 for each loan closed, to the Assist the Officer Foundation.

Ray reminded the membership that the 5^th annual Stars and Stripes Golf Tournament benefiting the ATO and Operation Lonestar will be on April 30^th. Contact Captain Fremin for details.

Ray then advised the membership that Cal Southern representative Tommy Tucson would be in the lobby for any person interested in getting their degree. Ray also stated that Jim Dozer from Sam Houston Sate was also in the lobby assisting with information on getting a degree.

Ray then told the membership in attendance that the Wild Game Cook-off will be on April 24^th and 25^th and encouraged the membership to attend.

Ray then reminded the membership that today there would be a Texas Police Trust benefits fair at the HPOU building until midnight. Food and drinks would be provided.

Ray then stated that there was a DPS Trooper at the meeting selling tickets for a raffle to benefit a Trooper who is having financial difficulties.

Ray then advised the membership that on May 27^th the First Responders fishing tournament would take place and encouraged any member who wanted to participate to sign up.

REMINDERS

Ray then told the members to remember to KEEP YOUR FIELD NOTES! Ray advised we would address this in the legislature but for now officers need to keep them.

Ray Hunt reminded everyone to restrict his or her HCAD and voter registration information.  Spouse may restrict voter information as well.

HPOU.org – Please update your address and/or email address at the HPOU office or by visiting www.HPOU.org (member tab).

Public Safety Financial Group (PSFG) –Thinking of retiring go see PSFG for a free financial analysis. The analysis is valued at approximately $500 and there is no obligation to join PSFG.  Contact PSFG at 832-200-3440 for an appointment.

URGENT CARE vs. ER – Ray advised the membership to use urgent care centers instead of emergency rooms.  Urgent care facilities are $60 compared to the ER visit of $300.  Because the city is self-insured, the ER visits increase the costs to the COH.

Ray Hunt reminded everyone to wear seat belts at all times and to watch your speed because the Chief is now monitoring from his desk.

Sobering Center – Ray asked all members to support and utilize the sobering center.  Utilizing the sobering center helps the city and is an easy process for officers.  Most officers are unsure of the location so encourage officers to look up the area before having to transport a person to the facility.

National First Responders Day – In honor of Sean Collier, MIT officer killed by the Boston Bombers, his brother is starting a movement to create a national first responders day.  Please go to www.change.org/firstresponders and sign the petition.

Facebook/Twitter – Ray Hunt asked members to invite officers to “like” the HPOU Facebook page.  Additionally, HPOU is now on Twitter at @hpoutx.  The HPOU is working to increase communications to members.

Next Union Meeting will be on Thursday, May 7th.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW MEMBERS

Cecil Masqueda, Noe Garza, Robert Mireles. First motion by Tom Hays and second by Joe Gamaldi. Motion carried.

DOOR PRIZES

Ray Hunt announced the door prizes.

ADJOURNMENT

Doug Griffith made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Luis Menendez-Sierra seconded the motion. The motion passed by a majority of membership

Minutes prepared by: Nancy Jones Assistant Secretary