PORAC has launched a statewide campaign to spread awareness of the dangers inherent to a peace officers job, and urging pension discussion to be held at the bargaining table.  Featuring real life peace officers Obed and Erin, PORAC has produced two television commercials that have the officers explain, in their own words, the dangers of working in public safety and the importance of their right to discuss benefits at the bargaining table and not have decisions forced on them by the Legislature.  These commercials have been viewed by policymakers, and are also available to view on YouTube.

PORAC

El Monte Police Department- 

A Broad daylight shootout on Valley Boulevard on Friday left two El Monte police motorcycle officers, the suspect and a bystander wounded, authorities said. The two motorcycle officers pulled over a car on Valley Boulevard at Durfee Avenue about 4:30pm when the male driver started shooting at them, said El Monte Police Lt. Dan Burlingham.

One officer was hit in the arm and another was grazed in the torso, Burlingham said. The officers returned fire, hitting the man in the shoulder, the lieutenant said. Abystander was shot in the leg during the gunbattle, he said. 

More...  

Detectives on Wednesday identified a 38-year old Hawthorne murder fugitive who took his 6-year-old son hostage at gunpoint, barricaded himself and the child inside an El Monte restaurant bathroom, and then triggered a bloody standoff that left the suspect dead and the boy wounded.

Manuel Benitez, Child Actor, Killed in Hostage Standoff
View Slideshow

Manuel Benitez was shot and killed by police after a standoff in El Monte, Calif., in which he held his 6-year-old son hostage. It happened on Dec. 23,...

SWAT members rush from a restaurant with a child who had been held hostage.

The hostage-taker was identified as Manuel Benitez of Hawthorne, who's also known as Mark Everett, Mike Evers, Manuel Velasco, and Manuel De Velasco, according to the FBI's Web site.