Once an officer is required to contact an attorney to get representation, or they are involved in a critical incident, one of the first questions we get is “What is PORAC LDF?” Some officers have no idea and have never heard of it; others know that it is some kind of insurance they pay for, but don’t know much more.
LDF is the Legal Defense Fund established by PORAC.
PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California) has established LDF under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to enable active police officers to have membership access to unparalleled legal services. A police officer in California who elects to be a member of their police officers’ association and pays dues into PORAC LDF pays money into the LDF trust which enables the police officer to have legal services when they need them most.
PORAC is one of the nation’s largest police membership groups and is operated by active and retired police officers who understand the demands of being a police officer in California. LDF ensures that its panel attorneys are knowledgeable, experienced, tenacious, and available when a police officer needs immediate legal representation.
LDF is available any time of the day or night when a situation such as an Officer-Involved Shooting, In-Custody Death, or major use of force incident occurs. One call to LDF advising of the situation will prompt a response of a highly qualified emergency legal representative to paid PORAC members.
Your monthly dues to your association fund your LDF legal coverage, which is not capped by a dollar amount. Refer to the LDF Plan Document for coverage specifications.
Castillo Harper, APC is proud to be a PORAC LDF-approved panel law firm, representing officers throughout the state on a daily basis. Feel free to call our office to learn more about how PORAC LDF is working for you and your members.
