In the summer of 1985, PANO finally witnessed then Governor Edwin Edwards sign into law the Police Officers Bill of Rights. Forces from across the state led by Cannatella and Bill Fields, President of the Louisiana Union of Police, fought a five year battle to guarantee police officers basic constitutional rights while under investigation.

1985 once again brought tragedy. Three Fifth District officers stood trial for negligent homicide. PANO once again stood behind the officers, both financially and morally, packing the courtroom for the week long trial, with the best representation at no cost to them. The officers were accused on negligent homicide while subduing a violent prisoner who in their custody assaulted and injured the officers. The prisoner was determined to have ingested a large amount of cocaine and other drugs died in custody. "Toxic Cocaine Syndrome" was ruled the cause of death and the officers acquitted after a brilliant trial by PANO attorney Frank DeSalvo.

The yearly fight of state pay became a reality in 1986, the first real threat of Police Supplemental Pay became a heated issue in Baton Rouge. PANO and Police Organizations from across the state demonstrated on the steps of the State's Capitol. PANO's presence and lobbying efforts once again paid off. Supplemental Pay was safe for another year.

On March 12, 1986, at a PANO General Membership meeting, PANO's membership was opened to Reserve Officers by a unanimous vote.

In April of 1986, under the Dutch Morial Administration, the police department took another step backwards by embracing the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA). A 40 hour work week was eliminated and NOPD officers were now required to work a 28 day, 171 hour work cycle before earning overtime. Cannatella held countless meetings with the City Administration, Superintendent, and Civil Service Commission and the national labor board to no avail. FLSA became a reality. Legal action is still pending by the Association regarding its unfair implementation.

Sidney Barthelemy was elected Mayor in January 1986 with PANO's support, and a promise to recognize Police Officer's through Collective Bargaining.

On June 1, 1986, a new Executive Board took Office. Ron Cannatella continued as President, being unopposed; reelected was John Marie, First-Vice President; David Benelli, Second-Vice President; Cindy Burkhart, Recording Secretary; and Carol Weigand, Treasurer. New Board members were Willie Davis, Sergeant-at Arms; and Glenn Miller, Trustee.

On October 2, 1986, the first time in history, police and fire, staged a standing room only unified demonstration at the City Council to oppose a Civil Service rule change which enabled the City to cut the benefits and work hours of its employees. After this unified stand, the City chose to pass a 20% cut in work for all City employees. Police Officers were cut to a 32 hour work week for eight week starting in October 1986-Merry Christmas!! This act was immediately challenged in the courts and reversed.

1987 greeted police with a 13.7% cut in state pay, with an upcoming vote to cut an additional 20% in May of 1987. Needless to say, with the 1986 four day work week and, the cut in state pay job action was in the air.

However, during all of the controversy and cuts, Cannatella through investigation found an extra $100,000 in mileage that year, that created a supplemental mileage check.

With all the cuts, PANO began looking closely at several major problems within the department including police pay and benefits. This led to the discovery that under FLSA, police salaries were based on 171 hours in 28 days. However, total police hours were 160. After meeting with then Superintendent Warren Woodfork, Cannatella was able to present the facts, and hours were increased to meet the 171 hours.

The financial rollercoaster continued! In a March meeting in 1987, a case started years before by the deceased Officer Donald Allman , was finally coming to a close by his law firm. Attorney Brad Roberts announced to its members that the long awaited Supplemental/Overtime pay case had been victorious at the District Court level and upheld by the State Supreme Court. Police Officers overtime pay was not being calculated to included State Supplemental Pay.

Shortly after that, in 1987, the City of New Orleans entered into a Consent Decree in response to a discrimination suit filed by Larry Williams, et al. Although PANO was not directly involved, PANO attorneys obtained limited intervention to assure that both black and white, male and female officers were protected. This consent decree truly effected the promotional system that we are still abiding presently. Since the inception of this decree, and PANO's intervention, more officers have been promoted now, than in the years past. The courts now demand that the police department keep current promotional registers and promote with vacancies, with no quota.

The PANO Executive Board continued to meet with then Mayor Sidney Barthelemy to open negotiations for a contract... And we waited.

In mid-1987, a substantial pay raise was included in the Civil Service Commission Pay Plan. PANO had a total media blitz ... bumper stickers, t-shirts, leaflets, phone calls, television and radio blitz, with the slogan `Pay Police Like Your Life Depends on It'. Citizens were called to wear a blue ribbon in support of police, with overwhelming response. However, in late 1987, the City Council agreed with the plan, but once again, the funds were not there.

By 1988, through total disgust, officers were screaming to be recognized. After countless meetings, it was decided to boycott the Annual Inspection, but attend the Annual Inspection Memorial Mass in respect for brother officers killed in the line of duty. On May 1, 1988, over 500 officers stood in full uniform, "shoulder to shoulder on the steps of the Washington Artillery Park in protest of the Administration. The slogan being then "If you don't respect us, you can't inspect us".

By the summer of 1988, numerous informational pickets were staged at City Hall in attempt to force the hand of Mayor Barthelemy to collectively bargain and recognize police. In June, PANO's Executive Board and members picketed the National Mayor's Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, where ironically, past Mayor "Dutch" Morial participated in the picket against Mayor Barthelemy. Sidney Barthelemy was a no show. The end result was a 48 hour "sick out", that crippled the department, calling in state police and national guard. PANO, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Black Organization of Police (BOP), began meeting to show the Administration that police were together, that it was not a black/white problem, but a "BLUE" issue!!

Much to our dismay, Mayor Barthelemy never recognized the police in a bargaining contract. But because of PANO and only because of PANO, members united, it was clear to the Administration that police would not stand for anymore cuts!!!

Finally, in 1989, the Overtime Case was finalized with calculations now at task! Ron Cannatella, Cindy Scanlan, Rhonda McCord, Fenner Sedgebeer and Peggy White were ready to face the challenge. After little was accomplished by the court appointed accounting firm of Kirk Paciera, who spent an entire year auditing and calculating each class members amount of overtime hours from 1976 through 1983, Judge Tom Early ordered the city to allow PANO to finalize those calculations.

Ron Cannatella leading the PANO team were successful in locating an additional $4 million for Police Officers. The $6.2 million dollar case had now grown to $10.2 million dollars thanks to PANO! The next step - finding the money! In 1992, through a bond issue, the money was there. PANO finally saw a major case end, issuing checks totaling anywhere from $100 to $30,000 to it members and nonmembers.

As PANO entered into the 1990's the battles to represent the legitimate interest for all police officers continues with unprecedented aggressiveness. In May of 1994 Marc Morial, the son of the late Ernest "Dutch" Morial was elected new Mayor for the city of New Orleans. Marc, as did his father and Sidney Barthelemy continues to refuse collective bargaining rights to police officers while granting them to firefighters. The battle continues!

In 1994 the Police Association of New Orleans celebrated it's 25th year anniversary, of continuous service to the men and women of the New Orleans Police Department. The event was celebrated by the 1994 Executive Board presenting the Founding Fathers and the past Executive Board with a plaque commemorating the momentous occasion.

Whether on individual or class issue the Police Association of New Orleans has faced every challenge. The amount of individual and class litigation victories, recovered wages, promotions, reversed suspensions, legislation, and success stories continue to grow. The Police Association of New Orleans has truly lived up to its motto of "Representing New Orleans Finest". For the past twenty five years, through the ups and downs, through the sad times and good, PANO has always been there ready to face the challenges. The Police Association of New Orleans will be the driving force that successfully takes the dedicated men and women of the New Orleans Police Department into the twenty first century.