Welcome to the new ASA-DOJ home
-- President's Message

Date: 2/25/2007

Starting now, California’s best kept law enforcement secret is no longer a secret.

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) has a proud tradition. We have historically been the leaders in California’s law enforcement community. Agents are well educated, highly specialized, and relied on throughout California to conduct some of the most complex and sensitive cases on behalf of the Attorney General. We should be one of the crown jewels of state government. Instead, we see our ranks dwindling, recruitment failing, and our mission compromised.

Four short years ago, there were 550 special agents, today there are 451. We used to attract the best and the brightest people but today we are unable to compete with other law enforcement agencies due to huge salary deficits. California’s population is growing, and with it, there are new challenges. Crime is becoming more sophisticated and today’s criminals do not confine themselves to one city or a single law enforcement jurisdiction. This should be where the Department of Justice steps up to take a lead role; so why do policymakers ignore us to the detriment of California’s citizens?

If you are a DOJ special agent, I know you have heard all this before, but allow me to speak to that person looking over your shoulder. He or she is a member of the public or with the media. We have invited them to this site, also, for a look at what we do. I encourage them to explore the site starting with the ‘About ASA-DOJ’ button to your left.

While I’m pleased to report that meetings with Attorney General Jerry Brown and his staff have been positive, they are only a small part of the solution. Our legislators, Democrat and Republican alike, have larger roles to play in rectifying the situation, and we need the support of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to make things right. California’s citizens deserve nothing less.

This new site has a duel purpose: first, as mentioned above, is to reach the public and media to show what we do on their behalf; second, it is to serve as a Town Hall for ASA-DOJ members. Here I will report on meetings and topics of interest to the membership. I hope this site will become the first and best place to go when you need information about ASA issues. Also, for the first time, I am including a tab for retirees. This will allow us to connect with members of the extended ASA family.

We have room for five stories on the main page which I will endeavor to keep fresh, but once they are removed, you will still be able to find them under the ‘ASA-DOJ News’ button on your left. This is your site. It will be only as good as our members want it to be. I need your comments and suggestions on what we should do more of, do less of, or change completely.

Sincerely,

Jim Vitko
President
Association of Special Agents
California Department of Justice


E-Mail: doj_asa@verizon.net