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2012 Board of Directors Election
The 2012 election will take place via Survey Monkey April 15-23.
There are 4 open seats on the board. The top three winners will get a three year seat on the Board and the fourth place finisher will get a one year seat on the Board.
The Candidates are:
Jim Donnell
Joe Engler
Scott Favour
Jason Freedman
Steve Heimsness
Dave Meinert
Emily Samson
Below you will find a statement prepared by each candidate.
Jim Donnell
To whom ever takes the time to read this,
I would like to run for a position on the union board. I’m in my 20th year in Law Enforcement, 14th with the city of Madison. During my time I have seen a lot of changes that affect the way we do our jobs and how we are compensated for what we do. But nothing as challenging as this past year and what looks like years to come. I served a short term as Union President while I was with the Town Of Madison PD, so I do have limited experience as a union representative. I think it’s important to have a representative who’s not timid about standing up for our rights as workers and how we should be compensated for the work we do. Those of you who know me, and have worked with me in the past, know that I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe in and what I think is right. I’m able to get my point across in a matter that is typically constructive without confrontation. I have a feeling that the next few years will be challenging for all of us and I look forward to the opportunity to help our membership navigate these challenges together.
Thanks for your consideration,
Jim Donnell
MPD K9 Unit
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Joe Engler
To the Members of the MPPOA,
I humbly submit my intent to run for the board of the Madison Professional Police Officers Association. I have been a member of the Madison Police Department since 2007, and have served in patrol services for the duration, where I have had the opportunity to work alongside many individuals in our membership.
I have seen the importance of a strong union in these volatile political times. As a newer member of the department, I want to learn from our senior board members’ experience and use that knowledge to reach out to other newer officers with whom I work who may not be as familiar wit the vital role a union has in the life of a police officer. Being approachable and the desire to foster relationships with new and established members will only strengthen our Union during these uncertain times.
I will remain committed and serve the best to my ability the membership of the MPPOA, the organization of the Madison Police Department, and the Citizens of Madison.
Respectfully
Police Officer Joe Engler
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Scott Favour
I am a candidate for re-election to the M.P.P.O.A. Board of Directors. I have been on the Board of Directors since 1998. During that time, I have served as the Political Action Chairperson, the Vice President, the President, and I am now the Secretary. I also get to represent you on the Wisconsin Professional Police Association Board of Directors. I have been on this board since 2008.
I have worked at M.P.D. since 1995 and have spent the greater majority of my time on Patrol. I have worked in all districts and on all shifts except the noon-8PM shift. I have spent most of my time in the Central and West Districts.
During my time on the Board, I have been on the negotiating team for several contracts. I have learned how to write contract language and have authored many of the memorandums of understanding that we use daily. I pride myself on representing our members in any type of disciplinary procedure and have done so many times. I love working for all of you and feel that I provide you with good service.
I hope you will return me to the Board. Thanks.
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Jason Freedman
Hello,
My name is Jason Freedman; I have been with MPD since 1997, and am currently assigned to the DCNGTF.
I am running for the board this year for several reasons. First, this is a critical time for our union (and unions across the State); I fully and firmly support our current approach of preventing the further erosion of our rights and recovering those already lost. Further, I believe we must continue to work cooperatively with City, but be willing to say ‘no’ and push back when necessary to protect our benefits and compensation from attack or unfair targeting.
In addition to contractual issues, I believe my experience and training background provide me with the skills necessary to represent you when you encounter use of force and other complaints, and I have had the opportunity to work with a number of you over the years during such situations.
It has been my honor to serve on the board of MPPOA for the last several years, and I sincerely look forward to continuing to represent you.
Jason
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Steve Heimsness
Current assignment: 5th detail nights patrol
I am running for re-election again in order to continue to serve the members of our union in the best way I can and as I have for approximately ten years. During that time, I have been Treasurer for nine years. As Treasurer, I modernized our record keeping and secured the services of an accountant specializing in non-profit organizations. I am trustworthy and keep a close eye on our affairs. Dan Frei has repeatedly referred to me as "Scrooge McDuck" and, aside from the fact I prefer Warner Bros. cartoons, I have no issue with that.
I also consolidated our charitable clothing sales and brought them into the responsibilities of Treasurer in order to have better accountability, tighter inventory control, and more efficient merchandise delivery. So it's not just all glamorous fun, either.
I have been involved in representing members undergoing disciplinary procedures for many years and have always sought to be the strongest advocate for our members as well as a buffer for them in those proceedings. No joke there, as I consider this to be the most important aspect of serving on the board. The reason I initially ran for a seat on the board was to give back after I was the focus of an investigation. I understand what it is like to be under that microscope and how important it is to have a union representative there on your side.
I ask that you re-elect me to the board for another 3 year term so I can continue to serve as your Treasurer and merchandise flogger. My record speaks for itself. Besides, there are 35 containers of merch in my basement. Quite frankly, I would hate for someone else to have to carry all that heavy stuff upstairs and find a new home for it. Seriously.
Steve Heimsness
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Dave Meinert
Greetings,
As a board member I would greatly consider it to be an honor and privilege to represent all union members in various aspects of our dedicated profession. I started my career in law enforcement with Deforest PD and was hired by MPD in 2000. During my tenure I have spent the majority of my career in patrol working 5th, 3rd, and 1st detail. I also have been a part of a variety of specialized work units (i.e. SET, DCNTSKF, CPT) and a member of a variety of committees (i.e. PRC, OAC) providing the needed knowledge and experience to understand how various aspects of our agency operates. I firmly believe in the human factor of policing, being open to and understanding all viewpoints, and will represent our union and individual members with such deserved dedication and passion.
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Emily Samson
Since being hired by the Madison Police Department in 2001, I have been assigned to patrol on every shift and I have worked out of every district station, with the exception of SPD. I completed an extended term in Safety Education, from 2006 to 2011, and I’m currently working the day shift as a relief officer on the east side.
It is plain to see that our current union board, intrinsically, does not accurately reflect our membership. Women are underrepresented at all levels of leadership within the Madison Police Department and have suffered as a whole, resultantly. With this in mind, I entered into and successfully completed the 2011 Promotional Academy and Assessment Center, competing for the rank of Sergeant. Obviously, I was not promoted last year and, after considerable thought, I removed myself from the promotional process last month. I have made a conscious decision to remain in patrol in order to ensure that I can continue to do work that I know I love to do. I find fulfillment daily at the rank of police officer and I recognize that the opportunity for me to make a difference from this position, both internally and externally, still abounds.
I continue to aspire to give a voice to MPD employees who might better be able to relate to a (much) younger, (much more) attractive, female Samson. I am a mother and a wife, an avid runner/yogi and an aspiring photographer. I know that there is so much more to each of our lives than what happens while we are at work. At a recent LPO in-service, Captain McLay stated, “One of the most crucial responsibilities of a formal leader is to take care of the people who work for them.” Currently, this isn’t being done.
Having suffered at the hands of our recent shift hold and vacation pick processes, I am devoted to making sure that each of us can continue to be healthy and well, both during and after our time served. I would be honored to help take care of the people who work with me.
Emily Samson
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