CLEAT: Local Union Best Practices

Course Description: The Local Law Enforcement Union Training course (#3018) is designed to help law enforcement association members and leaders understand their roles and responsibilities in representing officers and protecting their organization. The course addresses the practical, legal, and governance issues that can arise in association operations and during critical incidents.

Participants will examine fiduciary duties, financial oversight and controls, organizational records and reporting, insurance, and governance practices. The course also covers association responsibilities during critical incidents, including officer and family support, public safety statements, criminal and administrative investigations, applicable employee protections, and potential litigation. Participants will consider how collective bargaining agreements, meet-and-confer agreements, organizational policies, and current legal requirements affect these responsibilities.

Topics covered include: Association Roles and Responsibilities; Protecting the Organization; Fiduciary Duties and Financial Oversight; Governance and Recordkeeping; Critical Incident Response; Public Safety Statements; Criminal and Administrative Investigations; Employee Rights and Protections; Litigation Considerations; and Officer, Family, and Association Support.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive 7 hours of TCOLE continuing education credit.

Target Audience: Law enforcement association and union members, officers, and leaders, including personnel involved in organizational governance, member representation, or critical incident support.

REQUIRED MATERIAL: Pen and paper. Current association policies, governing documents, or labor agreements may be useful references.

COURSE HOURS: 8

LOCATION: Classroom