LABOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Gary Douglas Delagnes
President, San Francisco Police Officers’ Association
Inspector Gary Delagnes, a native San Franciscan, joined the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) on June 26, 1978. During his 33-year career, Gary has served the citizens of San Francisco with great pride and distinction. He served at a variety of district police stations before becoming a member of the Gang Task Force and later a member of the Night Investigations Unit. Upon his promotion to the rank of Inspector, Gary was first assigned to the Fraud Detail and then became a fixture at the Narcotics Detail for 18 years. Upon completion of the San Francisco Police Academy, Gary became a member of the San Francisco Police Officers’ Association (SFPOA). As Gary’s career progressed, so did his involvement in the association. He became actively involved in the many facets of the organization and in time became increasingly eager to take on more responsible roles within the association.
As the association’s elected Vice President and subsequently elected President for two terms, Gary successfully negotiated five separate contracts between the Police Officers’ Association and the City and County of San Francisco over the span of 18 years. His skills, knowledge and developed expertise in the field of contract negotiations have taken the SFPD from a position ranked 92nd in the State of California in 1989 to one of the top three overall compensated police departments in the country today. Due to Gary’s untiring efforts on behalf of his members, association members now enjoy a 90 percent retirement rate after 30 years of police service to the city and county. Indeed, at a time when most police associations and unions throughout the country are negotiating no pay increases to offset potential layoffs, Gary has seen that his members’ salary increases will remain commensurate with the rising costs of health care and education.
President Delagnes is steadfastly unfailing in his vocal support for his members in times of conflict, criticism and turmoil. It is no secret that San Francisco is a very liberal city and a city where citizens and politicians are quick to criticize and castigate the police department and its members. Gary enjoys an outstanding reputation for having a passionate, vocal voice in the defense of his association and its members. For too long, Gary was the lone voice of support for his membership within the upper ranks of the SFPD. He has no fear of standing up to individual citizens, politicians, members of city government or the press in defense of his members. Gary’s loyalty and dedication in upholding the good name of the SFPOA and its members is constant and unwavering.
In addition to negotiating outstanding contracts for his members and upholding the integrity and good name of the SFPOA and its members, Gary continues to campaign for quality of life improvements for his members, their families and loved ones in a myriad of ways. Gary has negotiated working conditions which allow members to spend more time with their families by virtue of the 4/10 workweek. Gary, in his position as President, also oversees the many charitable causes the SFPOA supports both on national and local levels.
Gary has always based his life’s work on two basic premises:
1) Do something because it’s the right thing to do.
2) In a world where very few stand for anything, police officers stand for something.
In closing, Gary Delagnes is the consummate professional Police Officer, as evidenced by his outstanding career. Gary Delagnes has also established himself as an extraordinary labor leader by virtue of his untiring efforts to raise the quality of life for police officers and their loved ones. From negotiating great benefit and compensation packages to striving to maintain the positive image of the SFPD and its members, Gary Delagnes is held in a very high regard and esteem not only in San Francisco, but throughout this great country of ours.
