Constitution & By-laws
(revised June 2009)
ARTICLE 1
This Association shall be known as the Oregon Police Canine Association.
ARTICLE 2
OBJECTIVES
To unite in a common cause all law enforcement agencies utilizing the services of the canine as a police tool.
To promote friendship and brotherhood among all those interested in the training and use of the canine in police work.
To improve the abilities of the canine, thereby rendering better service to the community.
To coordinate the exchange of any techniques of training or utilization of the police service dog.
To improve the image of the working police dog to the populace in general through improved public service in the prevention and detection of crime.
To aid and assist those law enforcement agencies making application for information concerning the establishment of canine sections within their respective governmental agencies.
To have a skilled organization available and open for consultation by any government agency.
To pass proposals, resolutions, amendments, etc. submitted by an Executive Board for the good of the Association.
To coordinate the plans for and the execution of seminars and police canine trials.
To promote and encourage police service dog teams to pass OPCA performance standards on a yearly basis.
ARTICLE 3
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
Regular membership in this Association shall be open to any active, commissioned law enforcement officer of a federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, including the Department of Corrections, having a canine assignment.
Reserve Officers of any federal, state, county or municipal law enforcement agency may be considered for regular membership upon application in writing to the executive board. The application by a reserve officer shall be accompanied by a letter of support by the agency head or his/her designee. The letter of support shall also outline the "canine assignment" being filled by the reserve officer.
Thes applications will be reviewed during the executive board meeting that occurs during the annual fall seminar. A vote on each application will be called for and upon approval of 2/3 majority of the executive board, the applicant will be accepted as a regular member.
Section 2
Any regular or charter member who retires from his/her department may continue as an associate member, provided s/he remains in good standing.
Section 3
Charter membership was open from October 8, 1982 to October 31, 1982 for regular members only.
Section 4
Other classifications for associate membership may be granted provided the membership request is made in writing to the Executive Board and is accompanied by a letter detailing the qualifying reasons for membership. Such classification must be approved by a two thirds vote of the Executive Board and will be subject to review on an annual basis.
Section 5
Associate members shall neither hold any elective office in this association nor have a vote at any membership meeting.
Section 6
Honorary membership in this Association shall be open to any person who has rendered a valuable service to the Association, its members, or a member law enforcement agency.
Section 7
An honorary member may attend the regular meetings and may be heard at the discretion of the President. Honorary members may neither vote nor have any other privileges that pertain to the regular membership of this Association. Payment of dues by an honorary member may be suspended by a two thirds vote of the Executive Board.
Section 8
A regular member may submit a person for honorary membership. This candidate must then be approved by a two thirds vote of the Executive Board. Such honorary membership will be in effect for one (1) year from the date of approval, unless the person is resubmitted and approved for subsequent one year terms of honorary membership.
Section 9
Organization membership is open to any government agency and has the same privileges as an associate member. Any person appointed by the member government organization shall similarly have all the privileges of an associate member.
Section 10
All applications for membership shall be in writing upon forms furnished for that purpose, signed by the applicant, and accompanied by a fee.
Section 11
A list of members will periodically be distributed to all members. Any member who has objections to the membership of a person listed as a member shall make such objection known in writing to the Executive Board. The Executive Board will investigate and make a recommendation within 45 days as to whether the person should remain a member.
Section 12
Any member (regular, associate, or honorary) may be dropped from the Association for non payment of dues, upon final conviction of any criminal charges, for any act(s) that might bring discredit to the Association, or if found to be using the Association or its name for personal profit or gain. Upon notification in writing by at least two regular members in good standing of allegations of any of these circumstances, an investigation by and a majority of the Executive Board will be required for dismissal.
Section 13
No member(s) of this organization shall present themselves as a representative of this organization without prior approval of the Executive Board (e.g., giving speeches or demonstrations, or dissemination of written material). Violators shall receive disciplinary action by the Executive Board.
Section 14
Life Member. Any person elected to the office of President, Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary, automatically and without nomination, or other executive board position after nomination and majority vote of the quorum, of the executive board, upon his or her retirement from office, shall be granted, without assessment, a Lifetime Membership with the full privileges of a regular member for the remainder of his/her lifetime.
ARTICLE 4
DUES
Section 1
The yearly dues of this Association shall be $20.00.
Section 2
Yearly dues will be due by September 30th of each year, and any member who has not paid the dues by November 1st of the same year shall be subject to dismissal.
Section 3
Any member dismissed for non payment of dues may reapply for membership.
ARTICLE 5
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1 - President
The President shall be known as the Chairman and shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association.
The President shall:
Preside at all regular and special meetings and enforce a due observance of the laws of the Association;
Decide all questions of order without debate, subject to appeal to the Association;
Cast the deciding vote in case of a tie at meetings of the general membership;
Be familiar with the constitution and by laws, rules and regulations of the Association so as to be able to decide all questions promptly and impartially;
Have the power to appoint committees and be an ex officio member of said committees;
Appoint officers pro tempore in the event of absence;
Authenticate by signature all official documents that are authorized by the Association; and
Perform other duties that are usual and incidental to the offices of Chairmen.
Section 2 - Vice President
The Vice President shall:
Actively assist and support the Chairmen in performing the duties of that office; and
In the absence of the Chairman, become Chairman Pro Tempore, assuming all duties and responsibilities of that office.
Section 3 - Secretary
The Secretary shall:
Keep an accurate record of the minutes of meetings of the Executive Board and of general meetings, and retain copies of such minutes;
Give written notice to all members of their appointment to a committee;
Take the roll of officers at the beginning of a meeting, and note the absentees;
Notify all members of the Executive Board and the general membership of all regular and special meetings;
Conduct correspondence for the Executive Board; and
Keep a register in which the names of all members are recorded.
Section 4 - Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
Keep an account of Association funds in books provided for that purpose;
Pay all proper orders authorized by the Chairman from Oregon Police Canine Association funds;
Present, at all general meetings, a detailed report of all monies received and disbursed, with a general explanation of the Associations financial condition to the Executive Board;
Keep the books open to inspection at all times;
In case of resignation, retirement, or removal from office, turn over all monies, books, papers, records, and all other items belonging to the Association to the Chairman, who shall report their condition to the Executive Board.
Section 5 - Sergeant At Arms
The Sgt At Arms shall:
Be the official keeper of time at all meetings, keep meetings organized and orderly, and be the keeper, or in control of, all property of the Oregon Police Canine Association.
Carry out the assignments or duties as directed by the Chairman or the executive Board.
Section 6 - Regional Representatives
The state shall be divided into regions, each of which shall have two representatives, one being a patrol dog handler, and the other a detection dog handler.
Each shall be a voting member of the Executive Board, and shall:
Be responsible for coordinating the activities of the police service dogs within his/her region;
Gather and disseminate training information;
Send information to the newsletter editor;
Maintain and recruit membership; and
Carry out the assignments or duties directed by the Chairman or Executive Board.
Section 7 - Executive Board
The Executive Board shall consist of the President (Chairman), Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sgt At Arms, Chairman of the Trainer's Committee, and Regional Representatives from the regular membership, with each member having one vote. The management and administration of the affairs of the Oregon Police Canine Association shall be vested in the Executive Board. Vacancies in any office of the Executive Board, except that of the Chairman, shall be filled for the remainder of the term by a vote of the Executive Board.
Section 8 - Chairman - Trainer's Committee
The Chairman - Trainer's Committee shall:
Coordinate all the activities of the OPCA Trainers, coordinate training and seminars, and establish up to date Performance Standards for the Association.
Carry out assignments or duties as directed by the Chairman or the Executive Board.
Secton 9 - First Past President
It shall be the duty of a First Past President to perform all duties of the Vice-President during his/her absence. First Past Presidents shall serve to assist the executive board through and transition in administration through the exchange of information, training and mentoring as needed. The intent of this position is to keep the institutional knowledge alive for future administrations. Service in the position of First Past President is for two years, following retirement from the position of President.
Section 10 - Second Past President
It shall be the duty of a Second Past President to perform all duties of the First past President and or the Vice-President during his/her absence. Second Past Presidents shall serve to assist the executive board through and transition in administration through the exchange of information, training and mentoring as needed. The intent of this position is to keep the institutional knowledge alive for future administrations. Service in the position of Second Past President is for two years, following retirement from the position of First Past President.
ARTICLE 6
AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, DELETIONS
Section 1
Any proposed amendment, addition, or deletion to the by laws may be submitted to the Executive Board, provided that it be in writing and signed by at least two regular members. Such proposal shall lay over until the next general membership meeting and a notice of said proposal shall be sent to the membership. A majority vote of the membership present at the meeting will be necessary for final adoption.
Section 2
Only regular members of this Association shall be eligible to vote on policy making rules of this Association.
Section 3
Any amendment, addition, or deletion passed shall be null and void of it is in direct conflict with the articles of the Oregon Peace Officers Association.
ARTICLE 7
ELECTIONS
Section 1
All members of the Executive Board shall be elected by a majority (51%) of the voting membership of this Association present after the membership has been duly notified of all elections for said office(s).
Section 2
Elections to fill offices of the Executive Board shall be held at the fall meeting of each year. The term of office shall be two years. The President, Secretary, Region 2 & 4 Representatives, and Patrol Trainer's Chairman will be elected within four months of the beginning of odd numbered years; the Vice President, Treasurer, Sgt. at Arms, Region 1 & 3 Representatives, and Narcotics Trainer's Chairman will be elected within four months of the beginning of even numbered years.
Section 3
Only regular members of the Association shall be eligible to run for elective offices on the Executive Board.
Section 4
Installation of elective officers on the Executive Board shall be at the time of election.
Section 5
Recall of officers.
Any elective officer of the Executive Board may be recalled or replaced;
1) for nonfeasance, misfeasance, or malfeasance of office; or
2) when the office holder is no longer a regular member in good standing.
If an elective officer has two consecutive unexcused absences from meetings, that officer is considered to have vacated the office.
Recall of officers may be accomplished in one of two ways:
1) at a meeting of the Executive Board by a two thirds vote; or
2) by a two thirds vote of the membership at a general membership meeting, provided that adequate advance notice of the meeting and of the proposed recall election has been provided to the membership.
Section 6
Vacancies which occur in an office (other than that of the Chairman) of the Executive Board through resignation, death, or other reason shall be filled by the Executive Board, and shall expire at the next elective term.
Section 7
No department shall have more than two persons sitting on the Executive Board. Nominations shall come from the floor. Voting shall be done in order of office priority. Voting shall be counted and announced for each office before nominations shall be accepted for lower priority offices.
ARTICLE 8
MEETINGS
Section 1
General membership meetings shall be held twice every year at such place and time as the Executive Board may determine.
Section 2
Thirty days notice of such meetings shall be given to the membership, specifying the place, day, date, and hour. Those members present at the meeting shall constitute a quorum to conduct business, pass amendments, additions, or deletions to the by-laws, and vote on all matters presented by the Executive Board.
Section 3
The Executive Board may meet for business meetings as needed. Either the President or two Executive Board members may call such a meeting.
Section 4
A member who is unable to attend an Association meeting may authorize any other Association member in good standing who will be in attendance at the meeting to vote for him/her by proxy.
The proxy must:
1) be in writing;
2) name the person authorized to exercise the proxy vote;
3) specify whether the proxy is general (for any matters to come before the meeting) or specific (to vote only on a specific issue or issues); and
4) be signed by the member authorizing the proxy.
A proxy vote may not be exercised on behalf of a member of the Executive Board at an Executive Board meeting.
ARTICLE 9
ORDER OF BUSINESS
The Order of Business of this Association shall be as follows:
1. Calling the meeting to Order.
2. Roll call of Officers.
3. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting.
4. Report of the Officers.
5. Report of the Committees.
6. Unfinished business.
7. New business.
8. Good of the Association.
9. Adjournment.
Distinguished Service Award
The guidelines for the Oregon Police Canine Association Distinguished Service Award are:
1. The action for which the award is received will be the direct result of an "In the Line of Duty" action by a sworn officer operating in the State of Oregon.
2. The award may be given for:
Outstanding contributions to furthering the field of police canines in the State of Oregon and/or;
Outstanding canine deployment involving:
a. Heroic actions by dog and handler such as saving lives, or
b. Action by a detection dog and handler that far exceed the normal routine.
The Corporal Kory Wiens Heroism Medal
HISTORY
This medal was created to honor, recognize and memorialize US Army Corporal Kory Duane Wiens of Albany Oregon for his supreme sacrifice during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Wiens was a canine handler assigned to the 94th Mine Dog Detachment, 5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade deployed to Iraq. On July 6th 2007 while searching out firearms, ammunition and explosives near Muhammad Sath Iraq, Cpl. Wiens and his canine partner Cooper were killed by an improvised explosive device. Cpl. Wiens was 20 years old. Cpl. Wiens had wanted to become a police dog handler upon his return from the war. The OPCA has awarded him membership status and endeavors to memorialize him with this medal.
The guidelines for awarding the Oregon Police Canine Association’s Corporal Kory Wiens Heroism
Medal are:
1. The Medal may be awarded to any Charter, Regular, Associate or Honorary member for action(s) in the line of duty which demonstrate, in great degree, the qualities of selflessness, exceptional courage, devotion to duty and personal sacrifice in the service to others.
2. The medal may be given posthumously, if necessary, to the nearest immediate family member.
3. When presented in a public forum, all those present will be asked to stand at attention and observe a moment of silence in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice made by Corporal Kory Wiens and his K9 partner Sgt. Cooper in the performance of their duty in service to others.
4. Prior to awarding the medal, the history of the medal and of Cpl. Wiens will be read to those present.
5. A list of those receiving this medal and the circumstances meriting the award will be kept by the OPCA Secretary.
6. A second moment of silence will also be called for in recognition of other dog handlers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others.
7. A unanimous vote of a quorum of the executive board is required for awarding this medal.
The Police K9 Star
HISTORY
US Army Sgt. Cooper was a four year old yellow Labrador retriever trained to detect firearms, ammunition and explosives. Sgt. Cooper and his handler, Cpl. Kory Wiens of Albany Oregon, were both killed on July 6th 2007 in Muhammad Sath Iraq by an improvised explosive device. The OPCA wishes to memorialize this team and specifically this dog by creating the Police K9 Star.
The guidelines for awarding the Oregon Police Canine Association’s Police K9 Star are:
1. The medal may be awarded to any Charter, Regular, Associate or Honorary member’s canine partner for death or serious physical injury sustained during the performance of duty.
2. The medal may be given posthumously, if necessary, to the Canine’s Handler or the handlers nearest immediate family member.
3. A unanimous vote of a quorum of the executive board is required for awarding this medal.
Other outstanding canine service.
Letter of Commendation
The guidelines for the Oregon Police Canine Association Letter of Commendation are:
1. Action by Charter, Regular, Associate or Honorary member(s) not necessarily in the line of duty.
2. The Letter of Commendation may be given for:
Special contributions to the field of police canine in the State of Oregon and/or;
Actions by an individual deemed worthy of special consideration by the Executive Board.
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