Welcome MSLEA Members
Maine State Law Enforcement Association
President, Michael Pinkham                                                                                  Vice President, Tamson Ross
Welcome to service in one of the twelve Member Groups of the Law Enforcement Bargaining Unit.  The
MSLEA is the recognized Bargaining Agent for the LEBU, but unlike most other State Unions we are a
voluntary membership organization.  What we also are is an old school police labor union that provides for the
rights of our members and the betterment of our labor destiny.  

With the exception of a privately underwritten short term disability policy for our members our foundation is
one of no frills labor representation for professional Law Enforcement Officers serving in the specialty
missions assigned to the LEBU.  We accomplish that through the MSLEA Governing Board, Our MSLEA
Stewards, our Business Agent Craig Poulin and our legal counsel Dan Felkel (and at times William McKinley)
from the law firm Troubh Heisler.  That firm has represented the Maine State Troopers Association and the
Maine Association of Police for over three decades. Those combined assets provide for the finest Law
Enforcement representation in the State of Maine.

The MSLEA By-Laws are premised on an organizational structure that provides for one vote for each
Member Group regardless of the number of individual members that serve within any one group.  This makes
for fair and equal balance in the decision making process.  

MSLEA Officers (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) do not have voting rights.  The
membership through their duly elected Board Director expresses their wishes and as a collective the Governing
Board steers the course of the Association.

The MSLEA negotiates contracts, represents members accused of misconduct or are under administrative
investigation.  We further grievances pertaining to violations of our contract and pursue such matters as
re-classifications.  As a whole every member sees a benefit to belonging.  Individually members own an
insurance policy that should they during their service be the subject of disciplinary action or be exposed to
management conduct in violation of our collective bargaining agreement with the State, those members are
represented by highly skilled Law Enforcement labor professionals.

You have earned the position you now hold.  You have become a certified and commissioned Law Enforcement
professional in service of the State of Maine. You have a vested interest in your individual vocational future
and should be proud to be part of a community of individuals willing to go in harms way for the greater good.  
You belong to a fraternity of those who serve in the highest tradition of what is noble.  As an Association we
simply ask of our members that your service is one of professionalism, integrity and honor.  

Our motto,  "Veneration Primors", Latin for  "Honor First"  best describes the manner in which the MSLEA
strives to do business. We communicate with our membership and them with us by 21st Century means.

The MSLEA Web Site provides for instant delivery of important information, a forum for members to express
themselves and all the necessary forms or applications needed for our members.  This highly advanced method
saves the MSLEA tens of thousands of the Associations dues dollars and makes for a most efficient
communication medium. Members also are encouraged to contact their Board Director with questions and or
comments.  Craig Poulin has made himself available nearly 24/7 to the MSLEA as he also serves as the
Executive Director of the Maine State Troopers Association.

The MSLEA leases an office and conference room at the Troopers Association Headquarters in Augusta. I
sincerely hope you will take the time to speak with your co-workers who are MSLEA members and decide to
join the ranks of our Association.  Thank you for your interest and I know together we will advance our
collective labor destiny.

With Solidarity,
Michael PulirePresident, MSLEA 2008-2010