FAQ’s

No. The Legal Defense Fund is a group Plan.

While we encourage 100% membership, we will enroll an organization that enrolls 50% + 1 of its members. We encourage you to talk with the Administrator’s office for more information about the enrollment process.

Yes. However, there may be unusual situations in which the Plan would allow members in different job assignments to enroll in separate Plans.

We have an open enrollment period during the second quarter of each year, which runs from April 1-June 30.

If the participant goes from one department to another, both of which are represented by associations enrolled in the Legal Defense Fund, there is no break in coverage. The level of coverage is consistent with the Plan chosen by the new association.

No. The LDF has spent more than $1,000,000 on a number of cases. The defense of peace officers in an era in which they are targets of harsh discipline, multi-million dollar civil actions, and federal grand juries can be very expensive. In its entire history, the LDF has never cut a members’ benefits because it was “too expensive.” This is a record that few legal plans can match. The fact that we will do what it takes to win a case does not mean that we are free with our participant’s money. To the contrary, we employ panel attorneys who are committed to providing cost-effective representation.

No. Your Board of Trustees long ago determined that the primary purpose of the Fund was to protect participants from serious discipline while keeping Plan rates affordable. That goal is inconsistent with providing representation for minor discipline.

With close to 50 years in the police defense business, the LDF is well aware that providing a representative does not ensure victory. That’s why, when appropriate, we pay for investigators, expert witnesses, polygraphers, transcripts, and other court costs. The intelligent use of litigation aids separates the LDF from other plans.

The LDF maintains a panel of the most experienced attorneys and lay representatives in the areas in which it provides services. These providers are recognized experts in the field. You will find their names on all the leading peace officer rights cases and on the faculty of police academies.

Simply call 888-556-5631. You will briefly speak with a care coordinator who will determine your eligibility for benefits. If the case is coverable you will be referred to your association’s designated provider. Most calls take no more than four minutes.

Our 24-hour a day, 365 day-a-year hotline is available for all critical incidents ranging from shootings to in-custody deaths, to vehicle pursuits resulting in serious injury. When you call 888-556-5631 you will get an answering service which will then put you in touch with the Administrator. In most cases, the Administrator can get an attorney call-out within 15 minutes.

Our experience has taught us that not every public safety officer likes every lawyer. While we encourage participants to use the providers designated by their association so that they will receive the benefit of that provider’s knowledge and experience with their department, we know that sometimes that is not possible. We do our best to accommodate the needs of all participants in finding a provider that will be most suitable. In addition, we have a complaint procedure. The procedure for filing a complaint can be found in Article VII of the Plan Document.

This is a plan conceived and run by working public safety officers. If you are unhappy with a coverage decision or other decision made by the Administrator you have a right to file a benefits appeal. The procedure for doing that can be found in Article V, Section 6 of the Plan Document

Yes. See Article VI, Section 3 of the Plan Document.

LDF bills quarterly. All quarterly invoices are sent 20 days prior to the due date, which is the first day of the Calendar Quarter covered by the invoice.

Please Remit Quarterly Contributions to: PORAC Legal Defense Fund, c/o Five Star Bank, 2400 Del Paso Road, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95834.

Use the link below to download the 2024 PORAC LDF Billing Schedule: https://poracldf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/PORAC-LDF-Invoicing-Schedule-2024-Website-Version.pdf

LDF Plan 6 will provide legal representation in administrative proceedings involving the revocation or suspension of a certification or license to serve as a peace officer within the state in which the Participant is employed.

Membership cost for LDF Plan 6 will start at $5 per member per month.

Member associations must be enrolled in one of LDF's Benefit "Base" plans: I,II or III. Participation is through association only (i.e on individual membership).

The following conditions must each be satisfied before coverage under this section will be provided: (1) The Department has given approval for the secondary employment; and (2) The Participant wears his or her uniform and other standard equipment, including weapons, during the secondary employment; and (3) The Participant remains under Department supervision and in radio contact during the secondary employment; and (4) The Department agrees to defend and indemnify the Participant, either primarily or secondarily, where the Participant is sued civilly for actions taken within the scope of the secondary employment in the same manner as if the actions had taken place while on duty for the primary employer; and (5) The Participant during the secondary employment is subject to the same Department performance standards, including any applicable code of conduct, and is subject to the same Department discipline as if the Participant had been on duty, including failure to report to the work location, tardy reporting to the work location, inattention to duty, etc.

The term “secondary employment” is defined to mean off-duty, non-full-time employment of a Participant by a private sector employer.

A Participant whose Member Association has chosen Benefit Plan I, II, III, or IV shall be entitled to services under the applicable Benefit Plan with respect to secondary employment.