Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of San Diego County
Member Benefits
These benefits are typically reserved for Class 1 Active Members. These are members who are current sworn law enforcement with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department and have elected membership with the DSA. Explore each benefit in further detail here. For inquiries regarding your membership status, contact our office.
Contract Negotiations
The DSA is the bargaining unit representing San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputies to the County of San Diego. Find the latest MOA/MOU here.
Death Benefit
Upon the death of any Class 1 Member, the DSA pays a benefit of up to $10,000 to the surviving spouse or children. Upon the death of any Class 1 Member’s spouse or dependent child, the DSA pays a benefit up to $5,000. This benefit is included with membership. More information can be found in Article XI of the DSA bylaws.
DSA Retirement Benefit
Upon retirement, you will receive a cash benefit of $200 for each year of membership for the first 15 years, $300 for years 16 to 30, and $450 per year thereafter. You must complete the DSA Retirement Application and packet to receive your benefit.
Employee Grievances
The Deputy Sheriffs’ Assocation handles all labor grievances with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Rick Pinckard of Bobbitt, Pinckard, and Fields APC, is our labor attorney.
Contact the DSA at (858) 496-9009 or info@dsasd.org with questions or to file a grievance.
Employee Relations Assistance
The DSA is here to assist with employee issues in the workplace. While not all situations may be grievable, the DSA may be able to work within the department to amend, reconcile, or find a compromise for various situations members may need addressed.
Events
The DSA offers a variety of member events throughout the year, including the Dinner Dance, Summer Event, Brewery Tour, Wine Tour, and the Children’s Christmas Party. Please check the events calendar for upcoming event dates and to RSVP or purchase tickets.
Legal Defense
Legal Representation: The DSA operates its own Legal Defense Program (LDP) with the law firm of Bobbitt, Pinckard, & Fields, APC as counsel for the program. Established in 1986, the DSA LDP has handled numerous requests for legal assistance.
LDP Booklet: An LDP Booklet outlining the basics of the program and highlighting the Peace Officer’s Bill of Rights is available on the Member Resources page.
Legal Monitoring: As part of the LDP, the attorneys monitor all civil cases where a member is a defendant and is being sued due to the activities within the scope of employment.
Employee Representative: The DSA has an Employee Representative Program. Deputies are trained as Employee Reps to assist members with matters involving disciplinary actions or grievances. Issues that would be handled by an Employee Rep range from a simple consultation on the interpretation of the MOA provisions, to the initial stages of an Internal Affairs investigation and assisting with an appeal of a performance report.
24-Hour Legal Service: Should you find yourself needing an Employee Rep, the DSA provides round-the-clock service. During regular business hours, contact Bobbitt, Pinckard and Field’s office at (858) 467-1199. After hours, call (858) 486-9009 and the answering service will take your call and refer you. You may also speak to the Comm Center to request representation by the on-call attorney. If you leave a message at the attorney’s office, it will be returned the next day.
Workers Compensation Assistance: The DSA has four attorneys who assist members with workers comp, disability, and retirement issues. They are experts and will protect your rights. You can select an attorney from the list or choose your own.
PORAC: PORAC’s Legal Defense Fund is the nation’s largest Legal Defense Fund run by and for peace officers. The fund has been in existence since 1974 and provides legal service benefits for public safety personnel. PORAC LDF serves as a secondary source for our members and often works in conjunction with the DSA plan.
Memorial Trip Lottery
Each winter, five National Memorial trips and 10 State Memorial trips are given away, lottery-style. The lottery is made available each January; members can enter online.
Notary Services
The DSA has multiple notaries on site. To book an appointment, email info@dsasd.org or call (858) 486-9009.
Relief Fund
When the DSA was first conceived in 1954, its sole purpose was that of a relief organization. While the association has since become a bargaining unit and political powerhouse, the basis of the organization remains the same: to support our members. The DSA relief fund helps alleviate some of the financial burden that follows an injury or illness. The fund remains available to members who need support in times of need. To access the relief application, click here.
What is DSA Relief for?
The DSA relief benefit provides financial support for members who are incapable of performing their duties with the department due to sickness or injury.
What does Relief consist of?
The DSA relief benefit consists of biweekly payments for the duration of the injury or illness, up to 12 months. These payments are funded by the Relief Fund, which each and every member pays into through their DSA dues.
Who is eligible?
Any Class 1 member of the association may apply for relief benefits. Class 1 members are active, sworn members who are in good standing with both the association and the department. Members who are on suspension with the department may not qualify for relief benefits without further approval, and payments are ceased upon retirement from the department. Members become eligible for relief benefits only after exhausting all of their leave and 4850 (worker’s compensation) time. Members will be asked to furnish a certificate from a physician stating they are unable to perform their job duties.
Can I collect disability from both DSA Relief and CLEA?
Members cannot receive benefits from both programs at the same time. If you have an injury or illness that may take a long time to achieve a full recovery or are awaiting a medical retirement, you will want to use your CLEA benefit first. They have a specified time limit after an incident in which you can receive benefits (in most cases it is two years from the time of injury), where the Relief Fund does not. You may apply for DSA relief at any time after the onset of illness or injury, but may only file one claim per illness or injury.
How is the amount calculated?
The amount of relief payments are equal to 75% of the monthly maximum gross hourly base pay for the classification of Deputy Sheriff top step as established by the salary ordinance of the County of San Diego, or 75% of the member’s current maximum hourly base pay, whichever is less. The amount is reduced by any disability compensation or wages earned for employment outside the Sheriff’s Department.
Does pregnancy qualify for relief benefits?
Benefits for pregnancy are only paid if there are complications to the pregnancy which require more than six weeks off from work.
Can I file a claim for stress?
Benefits are only paid for physical injuries or illnesses verifiable by a physician. Emotional stress due to the demands of the job does not qualify for benefits. We encourage you to check out the free counseling resources available to you through The Counseling Team International or check out our Health & Wellness Resources document.
Do I have to pay it back?
You must pay the DSA back if you receive a worker’s comp settlement or receive back pay from worker’s comp disputing your claim.
How do I apply for relief benefits?
Fill out the relief application and turn it in to the DSA office. Forms are also available at the DSA office.
Is there other financial assistance provided by the DSA?
If an emergency or illness causes a members to be financially unable to meet surgical, medical, or hospital expenses not covered by existing insurance policies for them or their immediate family, a special request can be made to the Sickness and Distress Committee for financial assistance. From time to time, the board will also assist during family emergencies.
Retiree Medical Trust
The Retiree Medical Trust enables you to use pre-tax funds contributed throughout your career to pay for medical care after you retire. Every DSA member pays into the RMT account in the amount of $25 (pre-tax) per pay period. The Retiree Medical Trust provides reimbursement toward the cost of certain retiree medical expenses. Visit the HealthInvestHRA website for more information.
HealthInvestHRA Customer Care:
844-342-5505
customercare@healthinvesthra.com
Scholarships
There are nine Line of Duty Death scholarship awards available to children of active or retired DSA members in honor of the nine deputies the San Diego Sheriff’s Department has lost in the line of duty since 1850.
DSA Director Ryan Smith is the current board chair for the Scholarships Committee. Please visit our Scholarships page for more information.
Smart Dollar
The DSA has paid for every member to have access to SmartDollar. SmartDollar is an online program designed to help people just like you. It’s 100% online, confidential and self paced. It’s also free for you to use as part of your benefits package.
Sign up today by clicking here!
Textbook Reimbursement
The DSA will reimburse members attending an accredited university for a B.A., B.S., or Master’s degree for purchase or rental of books when the following criteria are met:
- Must be a member in good standing.
- Member will be required to provide proof of enrollment in a University program.
- Member will be required to attach copies of the receipt(s) for all requested reimbursements.
Download the fillable textbook reimbursement form here or find it under Members > Forms.
To inquire about this benefit, contact Yvonne Waller at ywaller@dsasd.org or (858) 486-9009, extension 100.