By Laws

Section 1.

This organization shall be known as the California Police Pistol Association (CPPA) with headquarters maintained in the city of residence of the President of the organization.

Section 2.

The persons herein described as members, desiring to promote combat shooting and related matters for law enforcement officers within the State of California, hereby form a non-profit Association and adopt these By-Laws in order to accomplish these objectives.

Section 3.

The objectives of the California Police Pistol Association (CPPA) shall be to advance the art of police combat shooting in the State of California, to oversee police combat shooting competition to insure fairness, to establish competition rules and regulations, to establish a permanent non-profit Association for the mutual benefit of all members, and by such Association to aid in the protection of the members by joint action and to further promote the general fraternal relationship of the members.

Section 4.

The methods of attaining these objectives shall be by mutual efforts of all members to insure compliance with the shooting rules and regulations by sanctioning certain competition matches and enforcing the rules and regulations, by recognition of certain members and teams because of their outstanding achievements in competition, and by other lawful means.

Section 5.

As voted on by the general membership of the California Police Pistol Association (CPPA) at the 2003 general membership meeting, all classifications shall be maintained by the NRA stats and records office. All matches shall be either: NRA approved registered or regional matches. The CPPA sanctioned matches shall be followed in accordance with the NRA Police Pistol Combat rules unless special restrictions are set by the CPPA.

Section 6.

Robert’s Parliamentary Rules shall be used as authority in the conduct of all meetings of the Association.

Section 7.

Since race, religion, sex or politics have no part in the objective of the Association, there shall at no time be any discussion of these subjects in any meeting of the Association.

Section 1.

MEMBERS:

Any regular, full-time member of a regularly constituted California law enforcement agency including State, County and Municipal departments may become members. Federal officers whose principal assignment is within the State of California may also become members.

A department is defined as any agency, which performs law enforcement function, or a college having an Administration of Justice course of study, which is referred to under an individual department name and has an independent administration.

Officers who are retired from full-time service may become members. Reserve and Auxiliary police, Reserve Deputy Sheriffs, and other law enforcement reserves may join if they are uniformed, sworn, part-time working and trained personnel. This category includes all retired reserve officers with a minimum of 10 years service.

Police firearms instructors are eligible if they are employed full-time by a law enforcement agency or a college with a recognized police science program.

Students are eligible if they are pre-service and have completed a recognized police firearms instruction course. A written certificate, signed by an instructor who is a member of the CPPA, must be filed with the Association Secretary certifying that the above student qualifications have been met.

Police trainees are eligible for membership and are defined as any person employed by a law enforcement agency in a non-sworn position and are considered to be in training to eventually become peace officers. This would include, but is not limited to, Police Cadets, or other similar positions. A written certificate signed by a member of the CPPA must be filed with the Association Secretary certifying that the above police trainees have received firearms training.

Full time salaried Railroad Police, Penal Institution Guards, Industrial Police, including Bank Guards and Armored and Express Company Guards may join the CPPA. Persons employed as Industrial Police by private industry on a part time basis, or where such employment is not the sole occupation such person, may not join the CPPA (EXCEPTIONS: Any CPPA member in good standing as of 11-09-96 will be eligible for continued membership).

Any peace officer, as described in Section 830 of the California Penal Code is eligible. All others are specifically prohibited from membership.

Section 2.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP:

Persons meeting the above qualifications but who are employed by agencies outside the State of California are eligible for associate membership. Associate membership allows for participation in matches, but carries no general membership voting rights.

Section 3.

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP:

There will be two (2) types of members:
a. Annual
b. Life

Honorary members can be appointed to life membership by a vote of the Board of Directors.

Note: All law enforcement members of the CPPA must also be members of the NRA due to classifications being maintained in the NRA database. The student and granted members of the CPPA will have their scores and classifications maintained by the CPPA. The NRA does not have student and security classifications.

Section 4.

MEMBERSHIP CARDS:

Competitor numbers will be issued at the first sanctioned match in which a competitor participates. The competitor number will be good indefinitely or until revoked or retired by the Association.

Membership cards will be issued upon the verification of application and matches shot.

Membership cards for police science students will be issued by the membership chairperson upon receipt of the necessary certification, and will be valid for the calendar year in which they are issued. Certification of police trainees will be issued by the Membership chair person, and will remain valid as long as the individual remains employed in the position.

Section 1.

MEMBERS:

Members will pay the following dues:
a. Annual Members - $30.00 annual fee
b. Life Members – one time $300.00 fee

Section 2.

MATCH SPONSORS:

A pre-determined fee, per individual shooter, per match, is paid by the match sponsor to the Association. This fee is used to supply materials for the match keep records of all shooters and provide services to assist match sponsors and ensure match uniformity.

An Annual Meeting of the Association shall be held near the end of each calendar year for the purposes of election of officers and members of the Board of Directors, presentation of written financial reports with copies to all members in attendance, and the transaction of other business as may come before said meeting. Notice of the time and place of said Annual Meeting shall be published to the members of the Association at least ninety (90) days prior to said meeting.

The Match Sponsors Meeting and the Annual Meeting will be held on the same Saturday each year, and on a date as set by the Board of Directors. Match Sponsors, as defined in ARTICLE XIV, shall select dates that matches are to be held during this meeting.

Section 1.

At all membership meetings of the Association, a quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of those members present.

Section 2.

In all other matters requiring a vote, except the election of officers, such voting rights as described below shall govern:

a. A match sponsor shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
b. Each agency represented in person at the meeting shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
c. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to one (1) vote.

Note: Under no circumstances may a member carry more than one (1) vote; EXAMPLE: A Board Member who is a match sponsor and also representing his agency is entitled to one (1) vote, and only one (1) vote.

Section 3.

In election of officers, each Annual and Life Member present will be allowed one (1) vote. No proxy votes shall be allowed.

Section 4.

Only those members employed by an agency within the State of California, or described in ARTICLE II, Section 1, are eligible to vote on matters before the Association.

Section 1.

ELECTIONS:

Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting. Nominations will be made from the floor to be voted upon at that time. No person shall be nominated to any office unless that person is either an Annual or Life Member of the Association.

Section 2.

TERMS OF OFFICERS:

The officers of the Association shall hold office for one (1) year. A First Vice-President shall be elected each year. At the expiration of his one-year term of office, he shall move up to the office of President, and shall serve as President, for a term of one (1) year.

At the close of his one-year term as President, he shall then become a member of the Board of Directors and shall serve in that capacity for a period of one (1) year.

The President shall appoint a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be voting members of the Board of Directors. Any person appointed by the President to the position of Treasurer who is not a member of the Association (i.e., a CPA, accountant, etc.) must be bonded.

The Board of Directors, except those members who are officers of the Association as herein above provided, shall be elected each year for a term of one (1) year.

Section 3.

REMOVAL OF OFFICERS:

Any officer of the Board may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever, in its judgment, the best interests of the Association would be served thereby. Such removal shall not constitute removal of an individual as a member of the Association.

Section 4.

CAUSE FOR REMOVAL:

Any of the following items shall constitute cause for the removal of any officer:

a. Deliberate violation of any of these By-Laws;
b. Violation of any rules of professional conduct as recognized by the Association;
c. Non-attendance of fifty percent (50%) of all Board meetings without justifiable cause;
d. Failure to perform the duties of his office without justifiable cause.

Section 5.

METHOD OF REMOVAL OF AN OFFICER:

If the removal of an officer is sought, such removal matter shall be submitted to the Board of Directors by the person or persons seeking such removal. The Board shall proceed to hear the removal matter and shall give notice to all interested persons of such hearing. A majority vote of the Board of Directors shall determine the finding. A decision for removal shall be final.

Section 1.

In the event of a vacancy in the Office of the President, the First Vice-President shall assume the position of President and carry out his duties for the remainder of the un-expired term.

Section 2.

In the event a vacancy occurs during the year in any other office or on the Board of Directors, the unexpired term for the same shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Board of Directors.

Section 1.

PRESIDENT:

The President shall preside as Chairman of the Board of Directors, subject to such supervisory posers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and shall, subject to control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the Association. He shall preside at all meetings of the Association and at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He shall be an ex officio member of all the standing committees, and shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of President of an Association, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the By-Laws.

Immediately following the close of the Annual Meeting, the President shall call a meeting of the Board of Directors for the purpose of assigning committees, chairmanships, setting dates for the quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors, stating goals and objectives for the coming year, and other matters that are necessary for the good of the Association.

Section 2.

FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT:

In the absence or disability of the President, the First Vice-President shall perform all the duties of the President, and so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to, all the restrictions upon the President. The First Vice- President shall act as property and publicity man, and shall have other such powers and perform other such duties as may be prescribed for him by the Board of Directors or the By-Laws. The First Vice-President shall exercise and be responsible for supervision over all approved California Police Pistol Association match referees.

Section 3.

SECRETARY:

The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principle office, or such place as the Board of Directors may order, a book of minutes of all meetings of Directors and of the Association, with the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized, and notice thereof given, the names of those people at the Director’s meeting and proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors required by the By-Laws or by State Law. He shall keep the Seal of the Association in safe custody and shall have other such powers and perform other such duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by the By-Laws.

Section 4.

TREASURER:

The Treasurer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Association, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and credit of the Association with such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He shall sign all checks and disburse the funds of the Association as may be ordered by the Board of Directors. He shall render to the Board of Directors at each quarterly meeting and to the membership at each Annual Meeting of the Association an account of all his transactions and of the financial condition of the Association, and shall have such powers and perform other such duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the By-Laws.

Section 1.

There shall be a Board of Directors of the Association composed of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, First Vice-President, Northern Vice-President, Southern Vice-President and Six (6) Directors, one of which shall be the past President. Three (3) of these Directors shall be elected from the South and three (3) from the North. One member will be the Association Parliamentarian.

Between Annual Meetings, the twelve (12) Member Board will be reimbursed $25.00 for each meeting attended with a maximum of $25.00 each day. The President will receive $50.00 for each meeting.

Section 2.

“South” shall be defined as the geographical area contained within the northernmost boundaries of the counties of San Luis Obispo, Kern and San Bernardino, south to the International Boundary of the United States and Mexico and bordered by the state boundary that runs between Nevada and Arizona on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. All other geographical areas within the State of California not described above shall be defined as “North.”

Section 3.

All members of the Board of Directors shall have equal voting rights.

Section 4.

The Board of Directors shall serve as a grievance committee to hear and determine matters brought before it by any member or members; it shall determine policies and formulate operating procedures for the Association, and shall give direction to the performance of the duties and responsibilities of the officers as more particularly provided herein relating to each officer. The Board of Directors shall have general authority and supervision over the financial welfare and security of the Association. The book of accounts of the Association, together with a report as to the activities of the Association, shall be made available to each of the members thereof.

Section 5.

In addition to the six (6) voting Board members there shall be the positions of Board Member Emeritus. These positions shall be used to honor such persons who have been shown to have given continued service to the Association and its members. These positions shall be filled by majority vote of the membership present at the Annual Meeting. Once elected to this position, said members shall remain as such until either voluntary retirement or death. These Board positions shall be honorary, with no voting rights or rights to reimbursement.

Section 1.

The Board of Directors shall meet in conjunction with scheduled matches at the call of the President or upon call of any three (3) of the Board of Directors, but in no instance shall they meet less than once each quarter.

Section 2.

At all Board of Director meetings, a simple majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 1.

Special meetings of the Association may be called in the following manner:

a. By the President with a one-third (1/3) consent of the Board of Directors;
b. By a simple majority of the members of the Board of Directors;
c. By at least ten (10) members of the Association. Should the special meeting be at the call of the members, they shall be required to submit to the President and all Board of Directors members their written reasons for the special meeting, a centralized location for holding the meeting, and the date proposed for the meeting, which shall be at least thirty (30) days but not more than sixty (60) days from the date their request is received by the President. Such request shall be sent by certified mail or telegram.

Section 2.

The members requesting such special meeting shall provide written notice of the time and place of the special meeting of the Association. Such notice shall be given to all members of the Association, charges prepaid at least thirty (30) days prior to said meeting. For purposes of this section, the Association mailing list shall be made available at cost.

Section 1.

Standing Committees will conduct a continuing study concerning the rules, regulations and programs pertaining to its particular branch of the Association’s activities; to examine the effectiveness of such matters in properly regulating the activity and in promoting broader participation by members of law enforcement; to evaluate and report upon suggestions from the membership.

Section 2.

The President of the Association shall designate one Board of Director’s member to act as chairman of each standing committee. Each chairman will appoint a committee to assist him. That committee shall consist of at least two (2), but no more than five (5), members who are interested and knowledgeable in that committee’s area of concern.

Section 3.

The Standing Committees will consist of:

a. A By-Laws Review and Resolution Committee.
b. A Competition Rules Committee.
c. A Match Sponsor Committee.
d. An Awards and Trophies Committee (including Yearly Awards).
e. A Protests and Classification Review Committee.
f. A Statistics and Records Committee.
g. A Membership Committee.
h. A Distinguished Match Committee.

Section 4.

The Chairman of each committee shall be required to give a progress report on the efforts and accomplishments of that committee at each of the Board of Directors’ quarterly meetings. In addition, each committee Chairman shall be required to present a written report to the general membership at the Annual Meeting. Such report shall contain all activities, efforts, progress, accomplishments or deficiencies during the preceding year.

Section 5.

DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES:

By-Laws Review and Resolutions Committee

The By-Laws and Resolutions Committee has the responsibility of making recommendations for approval regarding necessary changes or additions to the By-Laws of the Association. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Being aware of the objectives of the Association

2. Being aware and following program goals of the President and the Board of Directors.

3. Reviewing and updating the By-Laws as needed.

4. Making recommendations for changes to the By-Laws to be voted on at regular or special meetings of the Association.

5. Preparing a master copy of the By-Laws annually to be presented to the Secretary of the Association for publication and distribution to the membership.

6. Presenting to the Secretary of the Association a copy of any recommended changes or additions to the By-Laws with sufficient time for the Secretary to inform the membership prior to general or special meetings of the Association.

7. Informing the Officers of the Association or the Board of Directors any noted violations of the By-Laws by any member or Department for proper action by the officers or the Board of Directors.

8. Making recommendation to other committees for changes that need to be made in their areas of responsibility to reflect any changes that have been made in the By-Laws.


Competition Rules Committee

The Competition Rules Committee has the responsibility for approving changes or additions to the Competition Rules of the Association. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Reviewing the Competition Rules and making recommendations to update as needed.

2. Researching complaints received from competitors and/or Board of Directors concerning Competition Rules, and making appropriate recommendations for change or addition.

3. Researching recommendations received from the Board of Directors and/or members concerning changes in existing rules or addition of new rules.

4. Being cognizant of the Association’s goals and the competitor’s needs.


Match Sponsors Committee

The Match Sponsors Committee has the responsibility of identifying areas of concern, providing guidelines, checklists and maintaining an ongoing liaison with match sponsors and/or potential sponsors. Committee responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Making preparations for the match scheduling procedures at the Annual Meeting.

a. Confirming a list of NRA sanctioned matches and sponsors desiring match dates. Determining the type of match: Approved, Registered, Regional.

b. Reviewing applications for new match sponsors.

c. Proving a calendar of convenient dates with special attention to the following:

1) Major holidays and conflicting events (NRA matches, etc.).

2) Two week intervals.

3) Determining postal match locations.

d. Reviewing match scheduling problems of the previous year.

2. Investigation complaints received from the general membership regarding CPPA sanctioned pistol matches for the purpose of providing a disposition. Action by the committee may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

a. Determining validity of complaints.

b. Notifying match sponsors of complaints.

c. Assisting match sponsors and complainants in reaching an amicable solution.

d. Notifying Board of Directors of violations that may have occurred, including opinions and recommendations regarding those violations.

e. Notifying complainant of final disposition.

3. Providing assistance to Match Sponsors with the preparation and production of CPPA sanctioned matches. Such assistance may include, but is not limited to:

a. Ensuring that Association provided supplies have been received by match sponsors prior to their scheduled match (score book, *mailing labels etc.).


Awards and Trophies Committee

Awards and Trophies Committee shall be responsible for the following:

1. Overseeing that sufficient awards are presented after each match.

2. Investigation complaints made against any Match Sponsor as to presentation of awards and making recommendations to the Board of Directors.

3. Collecting team and individual statistical data during each shooting year.

4. Establishing the revolver class “Governor’s Fifteen”, the “Honorable Mention,” the “Top Five Teams” and other designated “End of the Year Awards.”

5. Organize the Annual Awards Banquet and securing the necessary recognition, certificates and awards for the various categories.

6. Determining the “Sportsman of the Year” Award.


Protests and Classification Review Committee

The Protests and Classification Review Committee has the responsibility for investigation challenges and protests by competitors.

1. Challenges submitted by competitors and sponsors may include:

a. Scoring.

b. Rules or methods of enforcement.

c. Other areas of conflict regarding classification and protests against members and sponsors.

2. Requests for reclassification by competitors; The reclassification of shooters shall follow the NRA Police Pistol Combat Rule 19.17, Reclassification.

3. Addresses and telephone numbers of committee members will be made available to the general membership.


Statistics and Records Committee

The Statistics and Records Committee is responsible for keeping and updating State records fired in sanctioned CPPA matches. Records will be kept in the following areas:

1. All individual matches (Match 1 through 5).

2. The 1500 Aggregate Match.

3. The Distinguished Match.

4. The 4-Person Team Match.

5. The 2-Person Team Match.

6. The High Female.

7. The High Student.

8. Highest average score by an individual in the Governor’s Fifteen.

9. Highest average score by a team in the Governor’s Top Five 4-Person Teams.

10. Highest average score by a team in the Governor’s Top Five 2-Person Teams.

NRA statistical committee shall maintain the NRA qualified records. National records can only be obtained at NRA Registered, Regional or National matches.

Section 1.

The formation of special committees may, from time to time, be necessary to advise the President and to make records and recommendations to the Board of Directors. Such committees shall be appointed by the President.

Match sponsor is defined as any organization, association, club, agency, group or entity which has by-laws, rules and/or regulations, that exists and is functional and has previously come before the California Police Pistol Association Board of Directors, at the Annual Meeting, to seek provisional match status and such status has been granted.

A Sanctioned Match shall be defined as a match conducted by a Match Sponsor, as defined in Article XIV, who has fully complied with all California Police Pistol Association Provisional Match requirements and such sanction status is brought before the next Annual Meeting. Further, upon a majority vote of approval of the voting membership present at the Annual Meeting, such sanctioned California Police Pistol Association match status shall be conferred upon the match sponsor with full voting authority immediately upon approval.

All matches shall be either NRA Approved or Registered matches. Applications shall be submitted to the NRA match division for approval.

These By-Laws shall become effective immediately upon their adoption by the Board of Directors as provided in Section 5(a) of the Articles of Incorporation or by a vote of a majority of the Directors present at the first regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors as proved in these By-Laws.

Section 1.

These By-Laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the members of the Association, by a majority vote of those members in attendance provided, however, that written notice of the time and place of any such meeting, together with written notice of the proposed amendment, shall be mailed, either by electronic mail or United States Postal Service, to the members of the Association not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such meeting.

Section 2.

Association rules and regulations may be changed as follows:

1. At any Annual Meeting or Special meeting of the Association on a vote in accordance with the voting rights as prescribed in Article V of the Association By-Laws.
2. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, but such changes shall not become effective until January 1 of the following year.
3. All rule changes which apply to safely measures may be enacted at any Board of Directors meeting, such safety rule changes shall become effective immediately upon passage. The membership shall be notified immediately thereafter of any safety rule changes.

Section 3.

All proposed changes to the By-Laws or Rules and Regulations shall be submitted in written form at the time of their presentation at a meeting of the membership and/or Board of Directors.

Section 1.

Should the California Police Pistol Association, Inc. cease to exist for any reason whatsoever, then any and all assets of and pertaining to said Association shall revert to be assigned to charitable purposes in such manner as may be directed by decree of the Superior Court of the County in which this Association’s principle office is located, upon petition therefore by the Attorney General or by any such person concerned in the liquidation, or for such charitable and religious purposes as may be determined within the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.

In all matters relating to the governing of the California Police Pistol Association the Rules and Regulations and By-Laws shall apply.