Blacks in Law Enforcement of America

A National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Professionals

New York Office

405 Tarrytown Rd. #1318
White Plains, New York 10607
WWW.BLEAUSA.ORG

Accepting Our Responsibility to Rebuild Our Community

November 10 , 2017

Michael B. Kaplowitz
Chairman
Westchester County Board of Legislators
800 Michaelian Office Building
148 Martine Avenue, 8th Floor
White Plains, New York 10601

To Whom It May Concern:

As a dues-paying member of the Westchester Correction Benevolent Association and active

member of two Law Enforcement fraternal organizations, Blacks in Law Enforcement of
America and the Westchester Correction Association, the Westchester Chapter of the National
Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. I come before the Westchester County Legislative
Body with a grievance and warning.

As you all are aware, the past two years our fraternal organizations have used our constitutional
right of free speech and the freedom as county workers to speak on issues of public concern on
the safety and benefits of Westchester County Correction Officers and their families to you the
legislative body of the Westchester County government.

To our dismay, the union that we pay our dues to protect our labor rights and benefits has in
every way tried to silence our right to speak to you on issues about our health benefits, Safety,
and Security of the facility and morale of officers.

The Westchester COBA has even sent a cease and desist letter to the Westchester Correction
Association and accused them of misrepresenting themselves as union leaders and interfering
with the contract negotiation process.

Now we all know that this is far from the truth. When is speaking at a public Legislator forum or
speaking with County legislators on officer safety and health benefits interfering with contract
negotiations? There is a Contract Negotiator that is assigned to deal specifically with contract
negotiations, and we have never spoken to him in any capacity.

Member of the Grand Council of Guardians

 Westchester COBA cease and desist complaint also mentions County Legislators that have
complained to COBA leadership that we misrepresented ourselves as union leaders. We also
know that this is far from the truth.

We are willing to take this to trial if we have to and vigorously cross-examine anyone who they
claim that we misrepresented ourselves to the legislative body as union leadership.

These acts of the leadership of Westchester COBA is two-fold. First, its retaliation against our
member Retired Officer Maxwell because of his lawsuit against Westchester COBA President
Alonzo West and Westchester COBA for 5 Million dollars for defamation.

Second, it is political because we supported County Executive-Elect George Latimer and they
supported current County Executive Robert Astorino, and their actions were to try and silence us
for informing the public of the issues that we face as Correction Officers at the Westchester
County Jail.

As county workers, we should not have to be subject to political bullying from our union that we
faithfully pay dues when we are using our constitutional right to organize outside our union and
speak on issues of public concern to you the legislative body of Westchester County.

Sincerely,

Damon K. Jones
New York Representative
Blacks In Law Enforcement of America
914-525-5288

cc: Brooke Jones

President
Westchester Correction Association

Charles Billups
Chairman
Grand Council of Guardians

Terri McGee
President
National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice

Willie Williams
East Regional President
National Black Police Association
Ron Hampton
D.C. Representative
Blacks In Law Enforcement of America

NYS Public Employee Relations Board

Legal Council