Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, CLEAT, is a non-profit organization founded in 1976. by Ludwig Bruno, for law enforcement personnel and retirees throughout the state of Texas. CLEAT's objective is to protect and ensure its members' rights and interests by providing specialized union services, which include legal representation, 24/7 critical incident hotline, will preparation and probate, temporary income protection program, lost off-duty income protection, spousal critical incidence coverage if spouse holds an LTC, collective bargaining, labor and contract negotiations, dispute resolutions, training, conferences and events, local association development assistance , and legislative and political presence Executive Board. President: Marvin Ryals, El Paso County Sheriff's Office Vice President: Scott Leeton, Corpus Christi Police Department Vice President: Lloyd Cook, Fort Worth Police Department Vice President: Danny Diaz, San Antonio Police Department Region Directors. Austin Region Director: Thomas Villareal, Austin Police Department Bexar County Region Director: Jeremy Payne, Bexar County Sheriff's Office Dallas Region Director: George Aranda, Dallas Police Department El Paso Region Director: Mike Short, El Paso Police Department El Paso County Region Director: Pete Faraone, El Paso County Sheriff's Office Fort Worth Region Director: Manny Ramirez, Fort Worth  Police Department Harris County Region Director: Marty Rocha, Harris County Sheriff's Office San Antonio Region Director: Johnny Perez, Jr., San Antonio Police Department Region 1 Director: J.P. Mason, Arlington Police Department Region 2 Director: Ramiro Paredes, Laredo Police Department Region 3 Director: Greg Shipley, Corpus Christi Police Department Region 4 Director: Ken Colston, Midland County Sheriff's Department Region 5 Director: Adam Becker, Abilene Police Department Region 6 Director: Marcus Upchurch, La Porte Police Department Region 7 Director: Ed Martin, Vidor Police Department Region 8 Director: Ken Reeves, Waco Police Department Region 9 Director: Brady Sipes, Mesquite Police Department  Political Action. The Political Action Committee, CLEAT PAC, is responsible for vetting and endorsing political candidates for Texas state offices, who openly support law enforcement. Current political endorsements are listed on its website. Beginning in 2020, CLEAT assisted with Senate Bill 22, which would allow deaths from COVID-19 to be considered Line of Duty Deaths, therefore making it possible for surviving family members to receive Line of Duty Death benefits. The Bill was passed in 2021. In 2022, CLEAT publicly endorsed incumbent Governor Greg Abbott in a press conference with Sheriffs from across the state. Combined Law Enforcement Associations of