Legislative Leadership Award
Assemblyman Jay LaSuer
Jay LaSuer has enjoyed a distinguished career as a law enforcement officer, businessman and now a legislator. He has been described as a patrol officer who was promoted to Deputy Chief, but never forgot his roots; a retired officer who became a legislator and continues to fight for the officers in the field and the safety of the people of California.
Jay was born in Kansas and grew up in San Diego and El Cajon. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the 101st Airborne Division until his honorable discharge in 1961. Upon his discharge, he became a San Diego police officer, resigning in 1967 to attend San Diego State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration. In 1970, he joined the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, advancing to second in command as the Undersheriff.
During his career in law enforcement, Jay established and commanded the Sheriff’s Department’s first SWAT team, graduated from the FBI National Academy and earned a Lifetime Teaching Credential from the California Community College System. Jay retired from law enforcement in 1994.
He served on the La Mesa City Council, where he remained a vociferous opponent to increases in taxes and fees. A strong proponent of Proposition 13, Jay continues his effort and pledge to make fiscal accountability a priority.
Jay LaSuer was elected to the California Assembly in November 2000 and represents the 77th District, which encompasses the East County area of San Diego. He is a tough law and order legislator who understands how difficult it is to work the streets. He has actively, aggressively and boldly done his job as a lawmaker with wisdom and a practical understanding of who does the work and who needs police protection. Just a few points that highlight Jay LaSuer’s strength and courage as a leader and legislator include how he:
• Spoke out on the floor of the Assembly for Binding Arbitration and then voted for it against the heavy lobbying and pressure by Republican leadership;
• Authored numerous pieces of legislation, which are very beneficial to rank and file officers such as confidentiality for peer group counselors;
• Influenced other members of the Republican caucus to break with the traditional blind allegiance to management’s position;
• Acted as a key advocate for the Senator Romero bill, which held management accountable for maliciously violating the Bill of Rights;
• Advocated for fundamental law and order issues such as Three Strikes, funding for law enforcement and keeping people safe through best policing practices.
Assemblyman LaSuer’s working knowledge of what law enforcement personnel need to successfully protect, not only the public but themselves as well, has earned him this year’s Legislative Leadership Award.
