fop article

Notes from 8/1/19 meeting with DJ Thompson, Mike Sides and Alan Yeager

• “Administration sucks. This is nothing personal against Billy.”
• Manpower issues. Department is 18 officers short. Officers can’t get days off when they want them. – They get days off when planning ahead. No employer gives days off “whenever the employee wants”
• “People are just walking out…leaving here for lesser paying police jobs.” – Who left here to what department—what were the other circumstances? Wife got new job? Went back to their home area?
• Not enough officers to do police work. Not making car stops. Not getting guns proactively off the streets.—many officers not doing proactive because line level supervisors do not make them—many hours of downtime—little to no arrests… We will always be at minimum. If we increase minimum, they will complain they can’t get a day off. If we leave it at current minimum, then they will “always be too busy”. The argue both sides of the coin
• Manning shortage causing psychological problems with some officers.—shifts are covered—all contractually promised days off are being given
• Keep starting new units. CPOs were doing the work that the homeless liaison officer is now doing.—CPO’s cover a lot of different issues—Karges Sr can address this
• Park liaison — Matt Karges — assigned to Mikey’s Kingdom (Billy’s project)and only answers to parks issues—Karges has 734  calls for service. Only 6 (of 33) day shift officers have  more than he does
• Overtime — can’t imagine how much we spend. We will always be at minimum because officers take theie vac, fam, and comp days-  and officers will always take advantage of unlimited sick days…If we moved to eliminate unlimited sick days, they would fight it
• OT is mismanaged. 911 Gives Hope…the event at Larry Bennett’s place. ZERO OT for 911 Gives hope or the event at Bennett’s.. The are being attacked because Billy is associated ..This claim is completely false
• Jeff Worthington issue…priority is to go to the media. —Media called and asked about an elected official getting suspended. Media was tipped off before agenda email went out
• Instances like JW’s creating lots of mistrust of Billy. 
• 70%-80% of officers don’t trust him. Where did this number come from?
• Sense that he’s absent a lot. He gets his time off just like everyone else
• “to be on the department now sucks.” Common feeling. Emotion based—can’t respond to it
• People are afraid to do their jobs…afraid administration won’t back them up. The admin has backed up officers time and time again, The FOP has been silent on every shooting, social media attack…
• New operational guidelines on officer involved shootings. Andy reply
• New OG requires involved officer(s) to make full statement/interview immediately for the sake of media. Very basic info- “ I saw this and fired my” gun..Vegas based video
• When new OG was rolled out, administration stated that it had been approved by the FOP attorney, which was false.
• Rush to the media to release information. More worried about media than officer safety.Not sure what tney are referring to
• Vehicles…not enough of them. Officers are waiting an hour after roll call to get a car.—When did this happen and how often
• Fewer and fewer cars are on the streets.—
• Testing process…they would like feedback on oral portion of exams. In other words, identify areas for improvement.
• Deputy Chief Brush and Lt. Hahn have relatively little to do for their ranks.
• Body cams. Concerned about restroom breaks being recorded.—Then ensure you are not recording before you walk in
• Concerned about the fishing expeditions of supervisors.—Have they found an example?
• VIPER moved to report directly to the Chief. It’s “his private militia.”
• “Communication is lacking.” (from Chief)
• Chief avoids eye contact at roll call and when walking through roll call area.
• Doing the job is becoming miserable.
• Administration is setting officers up to fail.—In what way- specific examples
• Officers of the FOP are targeted for their union activity. Who?