On behalf of the OPLEA Board, I welcome each of you to the association. As this is the first email blast from OPLEA, I’m hoping all members are included and receive this information. As an organization in its infancy, with an affiliation to the national Park Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) and Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA), I ask for your patience as the organization becomes more structured and develops resources. With a very moderate cost structure, I am pleased to announce that we presently have over 100 members. Please pass the word throughout the park law enforcement community in Ohio that we are always looking for additional members. An application is attached. The OPLEA Board of Directors for 2010 and 2011 are:
President Greg Loftus, Cleveland Metroparks Vice President Bob Urban, Geauga Park District Treasurer Bill Leaman, Hamilton County Park District Secretary Doug Shepard, Metroparks Serving Summit County OPLA –LE Geoff Hamilton, Franklin Metro Parks
In joining OPLEA, you automatically become a member of PLEA. This enables you to have access to resources and connections on a national level and provides you such benefits as a $1,000 DEATH OR CAREER-ENDING INJURY BENEFIT TO QUALIFYING MEMBERS AND/OR BENEFICIARIES WHO EXPERIENCE A CAREER-ENDING INJURY. Check out the PLEA website at http://myparkranger.org . The site also includes a link to OPLEA. As the OPLEA site is under development, I am interested to hear ideas and suggestions on content and information that you would like to see included.
Recently, PLEA conducted an on-line survey to analyze the effectiveness of their annual conference. In summary, the results indicated that the PLEA conference is considered an excellent cost value. Participants prefer a three day conference during the week between January and April that offers a combination of breakout sessions and featured speakers with off-site tours provided during business hours. This information is very much in line with next year’s conference.
If you have not heard, OPLEA, PLEA and OPRA have teamed up to offer a joint conference and trade show in Cincinnati at the Duke Energy Center on February 8 – 11, 2011. Mark your calendar, we hope to see you there! Educational components for the law enforcement section are being finalized, but most likely will include: leadership training, cultural diversity, grant writing, video surveillance, and wildlife management. As a conference registrant, you will also be welcome to attend any of the training sessions offered by OPRA and will be able to participate in any of the other activities available during the conference. For more details on the conference, please visit: http://www.opraonline.org . As registration information becomes available, I will be sure to pass it along.
We will be having a fall meeting open to all members, so look for a future email for the date and location.
Be safe! Greg
Chief Gregory M. Loftus Cleveland Metroparks Ranger Department 4600 Valley Parkway Fairview Park, OH 44126 440-331-5795 gml@clevelandmetroparks.com
Ohio PLEA has re-organized with four new executive officers. Chief Greg Loftus (Cleveland Metroparks) is currently the President, Chief Bob Urban (Geauga Park District) is the Vice President. Lieutenant Bill Leaman (Hamilton County Park District) and Chief Doug Sheppard (Metroparks Serving Summit County) were elected as Treasurer and Secretary, re-spectively. The Ex-Officio Director is Ranger Geoff Hamilton, Columbus Metro Parks (Ohio Parks & Recreation Association – Law Enforcement Chair).
Ohio PLEA has re-organized with four new executive officers.