SEIU 721 Members from LA DOT Met with LAPD for Traffic Officer Safety Meeting – Here’s What Happened – SEIU Local 721

Report on Inter-Agency Collaboration to Advance Sustainable Development Goals for Municipal Traffic Officers

Introduction: Aligning Worker Safety with Sustainable Development

A meeting was convened between members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721, representing Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) Traffic Officers, and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The primary objective was to address critical issues of safety, training, and coordination. This initiative directly supports the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by focusing on Target 8.8 to “protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.” The collaboration also reinforces SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, by fostering effective and accountable partnerships between municipal agencies.

Key Areas of Concern and Proposed Solutions

Presentations by Traffic Officers outlined four key areas requiring immediate action to ensure their work environment aligns with SDG principles. These proposals aim to enhance both individual well-being and institutional effectiveness, contributing to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

1. Enhanced Emergency Response Protocols

   To safeguard officers in high-risk situations, a formal policy to guarantee faster LAPD response times was requested. This includes the implementation of emergency lights integrated with Help Calls. The LAPD committed to improving response efficacy and collaborating with LADOT Communications to standardize language, a measure that supports a secure working environment (SDG 8) and ensures the resilience of urban transport systems (SDG 11).

2. Strengthened Institutional Coordination

   A proposal was made for a designated LADOT liaison to the LAPD and mandatory monthly coordination meetings. By ensuring Traffic Officers are integral to these communications, the initiative aims to build more effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, directly addressing the core tenets of SDG 16. This improved partnership is essential for managing safe and sustainable urban infrastructure.

3. Optimized Officer Communications and Call Handling

   The need for proper communication protocols, standardized training, and an effective triage system for radio calls was highlighted. Efficient communication is fundamental to operational safety (SDG 8) and institutional performance (SDG 16), ensuring that calls for assistance are handled with appropriate urgency and precision.

4. Facility Security and a Safe Work Environment

   A clear demand was made for the city to uphold its responsibility to provide a safe working environment for all Traffic Officers. This foundational requirement is a direct reflection of SDG 8 and contributes to the overall health and well-being of employees as outlined in SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Initial Outcomes and Future Actions

The meeting produced immediate positive outcomes and established a framework for continued progress. These results demonstrate a tangible commitment to the SDGs through collaborative action.

• An increased LAPD patrol presence has been established near the Southern Area office to mitigate criminal activity, directly improving facility security and worker safety (SDG 8).
• A general improvement in LAPD response times has been observed, indicating progress toward the goals set forth in the meeting.
• The LAPD has agreed to a follow-up meeting in 90 days to review progress and address ongoing concerns, establishing a mechanism for accountability and continuous improvement consistent with the principles of SDG 16.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article’s central theme is the safety and well-being of Traffic Officers, which directly aligns with the goal of ensuring decent work. The demand for a “safe working environment” is a core principle of SDG 8, focusing on protecting labor rights and promoting secure working conditions.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article details efforts to improve the effectiveness and collaboration between two key public institutions: the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The discussions on faster response times, better coordination, and clear communication protocols are about making these institutions more responsive, accountable, and effective, which is the essence of SDG 16.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• While the focus is on officer safety, the outcomes have broader implications for urban safety. Ensuring the safety of Traffic Officers is integral to maintaining a functional and safe urban transport system. The presence of “LAPD Patrol near the Southern Area office to clear out criminal elements” also contributes to making parts of the city safer for everyone, a key aspect of SDG 11.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.8: “Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers…” The entire article is an example of this target in action. The union (SEIU 721) is advocating on behalf of Traffic Officers to address safety concerns, demanding a “safe working environment” and improved “Facility Security.”

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.6: “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The meeting aims to make the LAPD and LADOT more effective and accountable. The request for a “formal policy to ensure a faster response” and the LAPD’s commitment to improve response are direct efforts to enhance institutional effectiveness.
• Target 16.7: “Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.” The process described, where union members gathered signatures to demand a meeting and then “Traffic Officers made presentations on these four areas,” exemplifies participatory decision-making to make institutions responsive to the needs of their employees.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.2: “By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety…” The safety of Traffic Officers is a prerequisite for a well-managed and safe urban transport system. Their ability to do their job safely directly impacts road safety for the public.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 8 (Target 8.8)

• Establishment of formal safety policies: The article mentions the desire to “establish a formal policy to ensure a faster response,” which would be a measurable indicator of progress.
• Improved facility security: The article notes that “There is now LAPD Patrol near the Southern Area office to clear out criminal elements,” serving as a direct indicator of enhanced security in the work environment.

Indicators for SDG 16 (Targets 16.6 & 16.7)

• LAPD response time: The primary demand to “ENSURE FASTER LAPD RESPONSE” implies that response time to “Help Calls” is a key performance indicator.
• Establishment of inter-agency coordination mechanisms: Progress can be measured by the creation of a “designated LADOT BPETC liaison to the LAPD” and the implementation of “mandatory monthly coordination meetings.”
• Development of shared communication protocols: The agreement for “Operations staff to work with LADOT Communications so that the language of both agencies mirrors each other” is a specific, measurable outcome.
• Frequency of follow-up meetings: The LAPD’s agreement to “meet with us again in 90 days” serves as an indicator of ongoing accountability and institutional responsiveness.

Indicators for SDG 11 (Target 11.2)

• Increased police presence in specific areas: The mention of “LAPD Patrol near the Southern Area office” is an implied indicator of efforts to improve safety in public and work-related spaces within the city.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: seiu721.org