LO AND ORDER

The Brief: Law enforcement has faced years of political weaponization, leaving officers caught in the crossfire of partisan agendas. We're making this message in response to recent press inquiries about preemptive pardons and their impact on law enforcement.

The hypocrisy is exhausting—leaders who once defunded and disrespected police are now pretending to champion law enforcement, using us as a political weapon to attack their opponents. This isn’t about taking sides; it’s about standing up for the men and women who serve with integrity and asking for the respect they deserve. Stop using law enforcement as a political tool—our profession and communities deserve better

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On this episode of Lo and Order, we talk to Valerie Vaca, the widow of Sergeant Dominic Vaca. She shares her powerful story of love, loss, and resilience after Dominic was killed in the line of duty on May 31, 2021. 

In this deeply moving conversation, Valerie opens up about the realities of surviving families—the grief, the struggles, and the unwavering commitment to keeping their loved ones’ legacies alive.

She sheds light on the importance of continuous support beyond the End of Watch date, the role of law enforcement families, and how we can all do better in honoring our fallen heroes by being present for those they left behind.

This is not just a conversation about loss—it’s a testament to strength, advocacy, and the unbreakable bond of the law enforcement community.

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On this episode of Lo and Order, we sit down with San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus to discuss critical topics like recruitment and retention in law enforcement, and what we like to call the "BLTs" - beards, load-bearing vests and tattoos. This is LO AND ORDER.

https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/

Sheriff Shannon Dicus: https://www.instagram.com/sheriffshannondicus/

08:55 - Recruitment Challenges and Incentives: Recruitment strategies include referral bonuses, hiring bonuses, and targeted outreach to military personnel and local communities. The Sheriff emphasizes innovative approaches like mentorship programs and pre-academy preparation to attract and retain candidates.  

13:01 - Load-Bearing Vest Policy: The Sheriff outlines the journey and challenges in implementing load-bearing vests, emphasizing their importance for reducing injuries and ensuring officer safety. He discusses the insurance policy complications and the steps taken to address these issues, such as sourcing approved vests and initiating field testing with 20 units.  

19:32 - Tattoo and Beard Policy: The Sheriff explains his stance on tattoos and beards, focusing on maintaining a professional image. He supports exemptions for religious reasons (e.g., Sikh officers) while prioritizing a unified, professional look for the department.  

29:09 - Staffing and Retention Issues: The Sheriff addresses the increasing number of deputies leaving due to dissatisfaction with California’s law enforcement climate and economic factors. He discusses the rapid promotion of younger officers due to high turnover and the challenges this creates.  

32:27 - Commitment to Listening and Balancing Stakeholder Needs: The Sheriff emphasizes his willingness to listen to both his deputies and the community to make informed decisions. He acknowledges competing priorities and strikes a balance between operational effectiveness and public expectations.  

40:15 - Balancing Modern Expectations with Tradition:  The Sheriff discusses the generational shift in work-life balance expectations. He acknowledges the importance of adapting policies, like alternative schedules and job-sharing, to attract and retain a younger workforce while maintaining operational effectiveness.  

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On this episode of SEBA ON DEMAND, Executive Director Lolita Harper speaks to Attorney & Advocate for First Responders Nicole Castronovo about the negative impact of AB 3070 on California Peace Officers.

On this episode of SEBA ON DEMAND, Executive Director Lolita Harper speaks to former San Bernardino County Deputy Meagan McCarthy.

On this episode of SEBA ON DEMAND, Executive Director Lolita Harper talks to 2nd District Supervisor Candidate Jesse Armendarez about public safety and his mission to improve the quality of life in San Bernardino County.

On this episode of SEBA on Demand we speak to Retired San Bernardino County Sheriff's Captain and Current SEBA Member Brad Toms about life after retirement and his award-winning passion for photography.

On this episode of SEBA on Demand we speak to San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Todd Johnson who recently saved the life of a baby during a recent incident in Rancho Cucamonga.

On this episode of SEBA ON DEMAND, we talk to Corporal Nathan Campos who is the Public Affairs Labor and Education Liaison for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

On this episode of SEBA ON DEMAND, we talk to newly appointed San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus.