About L.E.E.B.A.

L.E.E.B.A. represents NYC law enforcement employees, keeping members informed of their rights, benefits, and union updates.

Our Mission

L.E.E.B.A. aims to provide adequate services to protect the protectors of the City of New York and to be a voice for the voiceless.

Our History

L.E.E.B.A. (Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association) is a law enforcement union in New York City that represents members of the City of New York Departments of Transportation Highway & Sewer Inspectors, and Sanitation Enforcement Agents. Over the years, the union has focused on keeping members informed of their contractual and legal rights, health care benefits, union contract negotiations, and providing support to ensure a safe and satisfying work environment.

Executive Board

Jakwan Rivers

President

Laquan Word

Vice President

Yolanda Moore

1st Vice President

Jeffrey Hunter

2nd Vice President / Grievance Coordinator

Board of Directors

Jakwan Rivers

President

Laquan Word

Vice President

Yolanda Moore

1st Vice President

Jeffrey Hunter

2nd Vice President / Grievance Coordinator

Karl Brown

D.O.T Delegate Director

Sean Milan

DSNY Enforcement Delegate Director / Sergeant at Arms

Joel Purser

DSNY Enforcement Delegate Director / Field Director

Teresa Jackson

Membership Coordinator

Clayton Holdness

Delegate / Benefit Coordinator

Lakenya Deboure

Delegate

Jakwan Rivers

President

Overview

Jakwan Rivers started working for NYCHA in 1986 after completing the New York City Housing Authority training program. After completing the program, Jakwan was employed as a Cable Splicer’s Helper and was soon promoted to the title of Underground Cable Splicer for the Consolidated Edison Company, where he elevated to Shop Steward and eventually Chief Shop Steward. He then was one of the organizers of the AAAOUW (African American Association of Utility Workers). In this position, he fought against racial injustice toward the African-American workforce at Con Edison. After 10 years at Con Edison, he returned to the Housing Authority as a Maintenance Worker. Jakwan Rivers has been a devoted member of Teamsters Local 237, which is comprised of over 24,000 members, for over 27 years. In 1998, he ran unopposed and was successfully elected to the position of Shop Steward at the New York City Housing Authority. As a Shop Steward for six years, he diligently represented many Local 237 members, assisting them with a vast array of work-related issues. Jakwan was also a member of Local 237’s Contract Negotiation Committee, where he worked tirelessly on several contracts and personally drafted and submitted specific proposals to enhance wages and benefits for Local 237 members. From 2003 to 2007, Jakwan was appointed by Local 237 President Carl Haynes to serve as a key liaison between the union and over 2,700 members with many different titles within the New York City Housing Authority. He held that position for over three years. He was then promoted to the position of Business Agent, allowing him to work full-time for Local 237 while on loan from NYCHA. In January 2007, Jakwan was appointed by the Local 237 Executive Board to the position of Business Agent, where he represented over 3,000 members in several different job titles. In this capacity, Jakwan established a reputation as a dynamic leader whom Local 237 members could trust and rely on twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. After his retirement in 2017, he was asked by several unions to join their organization as an adviser regarding labor relations. After careful review of several labor organizations throughout New York City, the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA) seemed to be the most honest and member-focused union, which won his full attention and dedication. After several years advising the LEEBA Executive Board, he was then unanimously elected 1st Vice President and then President. He is extremely humbled for the opportunity to be a voice for those with limited or no voice. UNITED WE NEGOTIATE AND DIVIDED WE BEG.

Achievements

A community organizer and civil rights activist, from 1989 to 1997, Jakwan Rivers held the following key positions and achieved numerous accomplishments during that period:

•Chief Shop Steward and member of the African-American Association of Utility Workers (1989-1997)

•Board Member and National Spokesman for the African-American Association of Utility Workers

Community Work

From 1993 to 1996, Jakwan served as Founder and President of the East Brooklyn Development Corporation. In this capacity, he created programs for at-risk teens and provided social alternatives to young men and women, including evening programs and right-to-passage programs with sister organizations within the Canarsie and East Brooklyn sections of Brooklyn. Additionally, he worked closely with Senator John Sampson and Assemblyman Nick Perry to create GED programs. He monitored and fought police brutality against the youth within the community by organizing and building bridges between younger and older generations of local residents. He initiated marches and community-based parades and conducted meetings with special guests from 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement, who introduced a program titled What to Do When Stopped by Police. He also organized “Scared Straight” programs at several state and city prisons for at-risk young men and women.
He was an entrepreneur who opened his own video and beeper store to fund most of these projects.