As a police officer, you may not always tour the city in a radio car. There are days when you have to defend your work. It is called court.
Today was a preliminary hearing on a case where the victim can not speak for herself. She has been reduced to someone who can not comprehend the complexities of life.
The individual who changed her life, is wanting to fight his possible jail time. He has hired an attorney who is wanting to attack the actions of the officers. You see, there is nothing else he can do, except to attack the work.
Based on a pre hearing conference, we were of the opinion that the attorney would be attacking every officer on the stand. Since we were sequestered, I have no idea what happened while other officers testified, but he did not raise any flags or objections on my testimony. Now his stipulation was merely for the preliminary hearing only, so if bound over for trial, we will tesitify again.
All I can say is there were three (3) people on the road that night. One was a witness, one came very close to death, and one who was not injured and has not accepted responsibility for his actions.........imagine.....
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tentative Agreement
Well, we are starting to learn a little more about this tentative agreement. On Wednesday, we shall learn more.
The proposal from the City would deduct your salary 3.1%. This 3.1% reduction in pay would spread throughout the year. The proposal for the FOP is that you can take the eight (8) furlough days anytime you wish, before the end of the year.
I just learned that the Chief wants the days to be used before October 1, 2009. If you do not take them on your own, then they will schedule the days for you.
I wrote a letter to the editor. saying that if they are going to make us take the days off, then we should be able to utilize them at our convenience. I have heard that the Mayor and the administration were not going to allow us to take them off when we wanted. As I understand from talks, the administration were identifying days when employees would be forloughed.
This information was backed up when the Human Resource Director sent out an email that outlined specific days when the employees would be furloughed. It even when as far as designating when City Hall would be closed.
I believe that employees could be furloughed without disruption of city services. I do not think that the citizens of Tulsa should be inconvenienced from this economic downturn. No matter how long it lasts, the citizens deserve the opportunity to continue to live without disruption. I also know that city employees know how to accomplish this task.
I base this opinion on the fact that city employees have been working with the least for years. They have done without necessary equipment, but still have performed their jobs exceptionally. Just one example is when the city purchased vehicles that required specialized tools. The city did not provide those tools. Mechanics either purchased tools themselves or they worked with other employees to get those necessary repairs completed. This is just one example, but I am sure that there are many within the police department, the fire department, the parks department, public works and the zoo. There are many employees that have performed above and beyond, but are they often recognized?
The proposal from the City would deduct your salary 3.1%. This 3.1% reduction in pay would spread throughout the year. The proposal for the FOP is that you can take the eight (8) furlough days anytime you wish, before the end of the year.
I just learned that the Chief wants the days to be used before October 1, 2009. If you do not take them on your own, then they will schedule the days for you.
I wrote a letter to the editor. saying that if they are going to make us take the days off, then we should be able to utilize them at our convenience. I have heard that the Mayor and the administration were not going to allow us to take them off when we wanted. As I understand from talks, the administration were identifying days when employees would be forloughed.
This information was backed up when the Human Resource Director sent out an email that outlined specific days when the employees would be furloughed. It even when as far as designating when City Hall would be closed.
I believe that employees could be furloughed without disruption of city services. I do not think that the citizens of Tulsa should be inconvenienced from this economic downturn. No matter how long it lasts, the citizens deserve the opportunity to continue to live without disruption. I also know that city employees know how to accomplish this task.
I base this opinion on the fact that city employees have been working with the least for years. They have done without necessary equipment, but still have performed their jobs exceptionally. Just one example is when the city purchased vehicles that required specialized tools. The city did not provide those tools. Mechanics either purchased tools themselves or they worked with other employees to get those necessary repairs completed. This is just one example, but I am sure that there are many within the police department, the fire department, the parks department, public works and the zoo. There are many employees that have performed above and beyond, but are they often recognized?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Reason Why We Should
Before even arriving at the MVD, dispatch was giving a call to a midnight officer. Injury traffic collision involving a motorcycle. I am sure that this officer was thinking that this was going to be the worst moment before getting off work.
There was one thing that changed this call. I advised dispatch that I would take the call and that they could leave the district officer 10-8. I imagine I could hear the sound of relief in his car.
Catoosa received the call first. Now it has been my experience that they try to dump calls on TPD cause they are not interested in working them. However, this was our call. The collision occurred in the parking lot of the QT.
Now you would be surprised that a driver, was driving under suspension, driving without insurance and made an improper turn into the parking lot striking the motorcycle head on. Okay, you may not be surprised since there are so many people driving under suspension and driving without insurance. We see it all the time.
We really should take people to jail who drive under suspension and without insurance. We should also seize their cars. The owner of this motorcycle is going to be out his deductible to have his motorcycle repaired.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. But oh was he mad. Three tickets later, did not slow down the anger, but at least it was a start for him to see that we can do something small, when someone is DUS, NO INSURANCE and an IMPROPER TURN.
There was one thing that changed this call. I advised dispatch that I would take the call and that they could leave the district officer 10-8. I imagine I could hear the sound of relief in his car.
Catoosa received the call first. Now it has been my experience that they try to dump calls on TPD cause they are not interested in working them. However, this was our call. The collision occurred in the parking lot of the QT.
Now you would be surprised that a driver, was driving under suspension, driving without insurance and made an improper turn into the parking lot striking the motorcycle head on. Okay, you may not be surprised since there are so many people driving under suspension and driving without insurance. We see it all the time.
We really should take people to jail who drive under suspension and without insurance. We should also seize their cars. The owner of this motorcycle is going to be out his deductible to have his motorcycle repaired.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. But oh was he mad. Three tickets later, did not slow down the anger, but at least it was a start for him to see that we can do something small, when someone is DUS, NO INSURANCE and an IMPROPER TURN.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
E Day
I took an E Day today, so I could spend the day with the family. We went to Tahlequah and floated down the Illinois River. Yes it was hot, but the water was cool.
E Day's are Compensatory time off. Thanks the the CBA, we have a choice of taking overtime as compensatory time or pay. I will often choose to take overtime in comp. However, my comp time account is full, so I have to use them in order to begin accruing overtime in comp. This actually saves the City some money, but our Mayor does not seem to be a fan of comp time. She would be better off by raising the limits to help with the budget crisis. It would be a win win for everyone.
E Day's are Compensatory time off. Thanks the the CBA, we have a choice of taking overtime as compensatory time or pay. I will often choose to take overtime in comp. However, my comp time account is full, so I have to use them in order to begin accruing overtime in comp. This actually saves the City some money, but our Mayor does not seem to be a fan of comp time. She would be better off by raising the limits to help with the budget crisis. It would be a win win for everyone.
Monday, June 22, 2009
A Day of Semi's
Well the day began with going to a semi collision. A flatbed semi was backing out of a roofing supply business. Well, he had someone flagging him back, but he still ran into a parked vehicle. To top it off, the parked vehicle was waiting to pick up supplies from the roofing supplier. But this person parked on the wrong side of the street when the semi backed into his truck. He was upset and wanted the semi driver to pay. Well, pay for your own, you were wrong too!
It ended with a semi stopped at a traffic light. The vehicle behind the semi said their brakes failed and that is why they ran into the rear of the semi. When asked if she wanted a tow truck for her vehicle, she said, "No, it is drivable, so I will just go back to work." I guess her brakes did not fail.
It ended with a semi stopped at a traffic light. The vehicle behind the semi said their brakes failed and that is why they ran into the rear of the semi. When asked if she wanted a tow truck for her vehicle, she said, "No, it is drivable, so I will just go back to work." I guess her brakes did not fail.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Fraternal Order of Police Press Release
The FOP sent out a press release today about the new city budget. This is information that you should read.
A surprising month
Well, May brought us a big blow, if you will. My father decided to cut his yard. After spending some time in the yard he was experiencing some pains. He thought about it and noticed that it may have not been heart pains, but indegestion. Well to our surprise, he went to the doctor. Then he went home and finished cutting his yard.
By the next morning, the doctor ordered him to the hospital. The doctors did some test and determined that he needed a heart valve replacement, triple bypass and an aorta repair.
Now it is almost 7 weeks and he has no pain in his chest. He is back to driving and taking care of himself. He is happy.
Good luck Pops and thanks for getting out of your stubborn mind and heading to the doctor. Also thank you for obeying those orders that drove you crazy for five weeks.
By the next morning, the doctor ordered him to the hospital. The doctors did some test and determined that he needed a heart valve replacement, triple bypass and an aorta repair.
Now it is almost 7 weeks and he has no pain in his chest. He is back to driving and taking care of himself. He is happy.
Good luck Pops and thanks for getting out of your stubborn mind and heading to the doctor. Also thank you for obeying those orders that drove you crazy for five weeks.
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