In May 2020, the inaugural hires of the brand-new Menifee Police Department assembled what is now the Menifee Police Officers Association (MPOA). The MPOA was assembled to be the bargaining unit of this newly established Menifee Police Department situated in Southwest Riverside County. The boom town previously had been using the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for police services since 2008, but the City of Menifee wanted its own police services. Thus, Menifee Police Department was born in the COVID-19 year and took over police services July 1, 2020. COVID-19 brought many challenges to MPD and MPOA; however, failing was never an option for any of us and we stand here proud to serve today.
The inaugural members elected nine members to be on the MPOA Board of Directors, and these nine would be responsible for setting up and starting the new police union. Challenges were endless, but the original members set up a successful and proud police union to represent the sworn and non-sworn officers that make up our department. In May 2020 our union stood 44 strong, and in 2023 we stand 82 strong with more coming. But what makes this even more special is that over 80% of our staff either lives in Menifee or within a 10-mile radius of the city. This truly is our community that we serve and protect.
The mission and goals of the MPOA are simple. Our mission is to represent our members in contract negotiations and ensure they are treated fairly in the workplace. Not only does the MPOA handle this challenge, but we also organize events to allow our members to mingle and have a little fun outside of work. We are there to support one another in a time of need and cheer one another on for the big and small wins in life. We are a family.
The MPOA gives back to the community as well, through special events organized and paid for by the MPOA and generous donations given to our foundation, as we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Examples of these special events are National Night Out and Faith & Blue. We also donate to children’s sporting events and other local nonprofits to help support the greater good of our city. Now that COVID-19 is in the rearview mirror, we can really start to organize events to give back to our community, who truly support the Menifee Police Department. Our organization also gives to officers and their families from other agencies who are sick, injured or have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
Above all, our organization loves to get involved in our community, and if you want to join us, follow us on social media and come support us!
