Police Union Cites "Dangerous City" In Asking Pay

[tcrashfx]

Says City Needs 83 More Sworn Officers
posted April 24, 2007

Asking for a pay increase for Chattanooga Police officers, a new police union cited Chattanooga as one of the most dangerous cities in America.

Members of the local unit of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers passed out material to City Council members on Tuesday citing Chattanooga as ranking 315 out of 371 when it comes to the country's most dangerous cities.

The group also said the city needs at least 500 sworn police officers and currently has only 417.

Sgt. Tom McKinney said many officers are leaving the city police because of low pay.

He said pay for Chattanooga Police officers is well below those of many other departments in the Southeast Region.

chattanoogan.com/articles/article_106112.asp

And their pay is way better than the HCSO pay. We are even lower than their low! We used to be the highest paid, with the best benefits, but 12 years of mismanagement and incompetence allowed EVERY Department in the County catch up and then blow by us.

I have worked here for almost 19 years and make about the same as a CPD officer with 5 or 6 years. But I think things will change for the better the next fiscal year, which begins 07-01-07.

I have waited this long, what is a few more months?

[Longshot! [ Saint ]]

[glow=red,2,300]Darn it[/glow].

I was JUST thinking about using tactics like 'scaring the public' to try to get a pay raise for us with my own organization, but I guess it's too late.

[stealth]

At least they are trying SOMETHING. That's more than any of the other organizations have done in the past 10 years.

[Longshot! [ Saint ]]

And if you think that SCARING THE PUBLIC is a tactic the POLICE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS should use, then you should cut off the tube that is feeding you oxygen while your HEAD is up your ASS.

If you're a City Employee--no, more specifically, if you're a COP, and you're saying this...get the want-ads out now, and I'll give you a glowing reference. You know who I am, and I'll do it.

But if I find out who YOU are--a few buttons away I am NOT going to pursue yet--then you'd better hope I do not.


[glow=red,2,300]Cops are not in the business of scaring the public into unrest to better their paychecks.[/glow]

So whatever the fuck YOU are, you'd better get your resume' in order, or find another route. Scaring those you're supposed to protect is NOT 'it'.

[Gary]

I honestly have no idea how a "stealth Guest" could post here.

Off to the Admin section again...

[LimitedRecourse]

I continue to be amazed that a group whose sole purpose in forming was to "unite the police department" consistently pulls stunts like this with absolutely no input from the rest (more than 50% in their own estimate) of the department. I predict that their numbers will continue to reflect their attempts at cohesiveness. The number they cite as to pay differences is spot on, however.

[tcrashfx]

At least they are trying SOMETHING. That's more than any of the other organizations have done in the past 10 years.

A police organization is only as strong and/or vocal as it's membership want to it to be.

As a founding member, and past President, of a local police group I was fully aware of all the "stealth" members that demanded I stick my neck out for them (Which I did!), but when I asked for them to show up at a press conference, be quoted (By name) in the media, or attend a Commission meeting with me, for the betterment of the membership? Oh, hell, no. They didn't want to "Get involved" or "Rock the boat"!

I guess they figured that was my job!

Each local Police group (PBA, FOP, IBPO, NOBLE) has it's own "Niche" and it's own way of doing things. Each has it's own membership that guides it. And each has it's own way of doing things.

But each has, as it's main goal, to improve the position of cops.

Just like we did in the most recent Sheriff''s election. Amazing what we can do when we speak as one voice, despite our minor differences in "tactics".

We speak as one voice during the on-going budget process, we may start to make headway in improving the insultingly low pay, benefits and working conditions that we currently suffer under.

If we all got our "stealth" members to become more involved (Instead of just bitching at the leaders of the Police groups) we might even start making as much as teachers!

[LimitedRecourse]

Participation is definately key to success. Better communication might lead to greater participation. There seems to be the perception that a lot of what "the Union" disccusses in its meetings are very secretive and confidential. If you were to ask many of the union members "So, what's the union planning to do next?" the reply would be very evasive and joined with several glances askew upon your leaving. (This is from personal experience, not presumption.) I don't understand why their business in so "secret" if they are supposed to be representing all police officers. It seems to me, if they wanted more members, they would print daily/weekly flyers BOASTING about their plans and accomplishments and plaster them all over the services center, rather than "hide" them from "the others."

[Longshot! [ Saint ]]

...In the mean time, initiatives and then responses like these mentioned here continute to disgust me to no end.

(*"LAWD", how 'Cowards' get in the way. And THAT is what you are, 'Stealth'-man. Or are you? NOW is your chance...)