Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Problem #1 - Hiring

First in a series of writings about some problems we see facing the Department.

As every copper knows, everyone who gets hired after him or her is an asshole. Not specifically, but in a general sort of way. Most of it has to do with seniority being the biggest determining factor of where you fall in Department hierarchy. Old timers get the best furlough picks, most desirable watches, are automatically higher on promotional lists in the case of ties. And this is how it should be. It's a simple, time tested technique that works for the Department.

The trouble comes with the quality of people hired lately. This job is a hard sell. We've written a few times in the past about departments nationwide unable to fill spots because of numerous hurdles (salary, hours, etc). And we have only to point at the 1980's and 90's when upwards of 30,000 people would apply to take the police exam. Nowadays, they have to give it 3 and 4 times a year while barely breaking the 3,000 mark.

Part of it is the job requirements. Recently, the City wanted you to be over 22 years old and have two years of college (60 hours) before you could even take the test. A full time student would have racked up 60 hours by the age of 20 and still had to wait two more years to get hired. So why not finish college, get a degree and hire on in the private sector where you can make more money with better benefits and less headaches? That's exactly what happened and the number of applicants plummeted. This in turn led to a very narrow slice of qualified applicants - some years, the Department was taking under 1,000 or so new hires off of a test given every two years that had 4,000 names. The failure rate for the preliminary drug test skyrocketed and no shows for the power test increased. Meanwhile, the Vietnam era vets were retiring at a good clip and manpower tanked. We have something in the neighborhood of 7 to 8 THOUSAND retirees today and barely 10,000 Patrolmen, counting the recruits.

We seem to have hit the era of the "college copper." We have nothing against education, but in the words of a boss far wiser than we, many of these kids are "too much college, not enough high school." In other words, you can't teach in the Academy a lot of what makes good coppers. Street smarts. Fighting ability. How to lie to suspects with a straight face. How to compartmentalize some of the horrors we witness on a daily basis. How to truly laugh, long and hard, at some of the insanity society inflicts upon itself.

Many of our readers have been there. Some, not so much. The City realized part of their error and reinstated some of the military preferences, but the problem still remains of the "entitlement" generation. They don't seem to realize how political and patriarchal this job has always been. Or if they do, they want daddy or mommy to promote them, get them better assignments, remove any and all obstructions to them advancing faster and farther than old timers with 20+ years who have been shouldering the brunt of the work for a generation.

And yes, we're probably part of the problem in this case - we think many people with less time than us are less able to cope, to handle the job, to be the police, just like so many people with more time tell us that we don't know what it was like "back in the day" and we'd have trouble wiping our own noses if we ever came across a situation like they handled back in the Stone Ages. There are a few exceptions and we'd name them if we didn't think it'd swell their heads. We've met people with just a few years on who are excellent coppers and will be bosses one day - if they don't get caught up in the daily crap that weighs down so much of this Department.

90 Comments:

Blogger LLMM said...

I got hired in the early 90's. After our first law class, an instructor walked in for the class right afterwards. He looked at all of us, pulled out his pen, and asked us what it was. A few replied in unison, "a pen". He looked at us like we just got caught screwing his underaged niece, shook his head and said something that I will never forget: "It's probable cause...."

9/26/2006 11:31:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fire Department test results arrived in the mail today. So you can subtract hundreds if not thousands leaving for Fire Department over the next couple years. For me its just a waiting game until I transfer my pension over and begin working 24hrs on and 72hrs off. P.S. I love my job but family time is more important. If the department changed the 6 day work week i would stay.

9/26/2006 11:35:00 PM  
Blogger leomemorial said...

Off topic...

I'm extremely angry right now. It seems as if a certain member of a police department had their leave of absence NON-RENEWED and they have done A LOT of work for the police memorial.


p.s. If any retired officers/families would like photos of the park, certain bricks or names on the wall, feel free to email me. I'm heading back to the park in the few weeks and had a few retirees out of state ask me so I'm making a list. Please email me the info, names and such.

9/26/2006 11:56:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

couldn't agree more. it is not necessarily that the young officer is a "bad" or "lazy" officer, but rather it is the era in which they grew up. nowadays, if you look at the private sector, people switch jobs three to four times before they are 30. there really is no loyalty to anyone corporation or employer, including the police department.

the majority of the police who are under 30, grew up and era were thier parents made sure that they were given everything and took care of everything. that they got a great education, were always told that they could "be anything they wanted to be" and if they fell down, the parent was always there to pick them up. this in theory is all and good, but what happens when failure sets in?? what happens when the "real world" hit home? like when you begin to realize that a lot of this world is based on "who you know" and not how well you do your job? or that there are a million people just like you who have the same qualifications and aspirations? than what?

"deserve entitled" is becoming a major problem in the workforce, not just here, but everywhere. those people in the 20's and early thirties have a tendency to feel that they don't need to put in 20 years before they move up. they want to get hired and be a vice president or in our case, a commander, before they have even gotten their feet wet. for some, if this does not happen, they become less interested in their job or altogether leave to find someone else who will make them their vice president at the tender age of 25.

the police department had no one but themselves to blame for this problem. their theory, and they aren't the only ones, is that the "more educated", the less lawsuits and less cr#'s. this maybe true, but it is also has meant the decline in policing practice. in its place, is a more enriched, educated, and compassionate police department, but void of common sense and street smarts needed to be one step ahead of the "bad guys".

9/26/2006 11:59:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think the biggest problem with the CPD today, in hiring only, is that the kids coming on today, didn't grow up wanting to be the police. You ask the guys from the Vietnam era and it was a job they could get out of the military. Ask the guys with 10-25 years on and this is the job that they always wanted to do. You ask the kids with less than 10 and the people yet to come and it's, "It's a job and it pays O.K. with good benefits." Now I know I am making huge generalizations, but that is what I see. Ask some of the "Old Timers" what they startd at, how the bosses could fuck you by switching your group every period to keep you on midnights, or keep you from getting your weekends. No overtime, gun or whore court for straight time that you had to use before the end of the year if your Captain didn't screw you. These guys have/had dedication. I think people coming on now, whether from good families or not, even from coppers' families, don't respect the police the way we used to when I grew up. That is why all these new coppers have no balls (yes, I also mean that literally) when shitbird starts motherfucking them. They are used to the contempt because they fostered it or hung around with friends that had that same resentment. Just because it is the way society is today, doesn't make it right. I think you can tell the coppers that have the dedication to being the police and have alays wanted to be the police. These are the guys that are out their locking people up, even when their with the biggest doggass on the watch. It doesn't matter because being a cop comes first.
That's all for now. Stay safe.

9/27/2006 12:17:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The hiring process that is currently taking place is as only as fine as a good FTO to be with the "college" recruit. My opinion is that if a good mentor is used to facilitate the new guys street expertise, everything will fall into place. OFF TOPIC: Anyone catch these political commercials for governor lately. The one where Judy Barr Topinka is standing on stage looking fifty pounds heavier and shaking her head up and down vigorously. That is one commercial that is hilarious. It looks like she is giving some good head. Check it out.

9/27/2006 12:46:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I reject the notion that the "new Hires" have a sense of entitlement. It's not the new hires, it's the new hires with CLOUT.
Clout has become the disease that has rendered this department incompotent.
Clout has caused the morale of the patrol division to plumet.
It used to be that when people had a phone call, they kept it a secret. Now, officers brag about how much clout they have, what unit they are going to be in, and what they can get away with.

"Merit", in it's intended meaning, no longer matters. How many supervisors can you recall that were "merit" promoted, that were coppers who actually stood out among their peers? Now, how many were pure Clout?

You might have a degree, prior military, a great comp history, outstanding activity, be a jack of all trades on this job, and a senior officer on the watch. If the car you want opens, you are not getting it if clout wants it. Don't even think about a promotion.

9/27/2006 01:13:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So long as the numbers are good enough for the bean counters, why should the city hire more officers?

The city budgets for 13,500 officers. The city collects money (taxes) for 13,500 officers. If the city only has 11,000 officers, it does whatever it wants with the money leftover.

My question would be "where is the money going that was budgetted, and collected, for the police?"

9/27/2006 01:19:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Check out the PPO's on tact in 011. Mommy, I wanna be on the tact team. Mommy, Mommy, please?

9/27/2006 01:36:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

scc, that was a great little essay. I'm a "newer guy" being around 5 years and i agree with you.. i work hard, want to be promoted, and in a way expect to get to a unit of some kind if i'm out there humpin every day. The thing with the "old timers," at least in our district is that they don't do shit. I mean really, they come out, get their coffee and then dog jobs or hide for the rest of their tour leaving us "younger guys" to run around handling tons of calls, mostly on their beat's. Now i know, they've "done their time" but why should they get rewarded when they haven't really worked in years, they just show up. Years of being a dog shouldn't equal a good policeman, or someone who should be promoted over me. So i think the old timers are a big part of the problem. They expect, just b/c of their time on the job, that they should be put in units or positions of power when really they are much less deserving of it.

9/27/2006 03:43:00 AM  
Blogger Yahoo Mush Mouse said...

If the Department removed the meritorious selection and based the test off of test score only it would improve moral among new and seasoned police officers. This would in my opinion retain the new officers whom may have be attracted to CPD because of tuition reimbursement. Mayor Daley sweeten the pot let sworn employees have 100 % medical for themselves and their families and retirees too. Have your political alias change the state laws governing penion laws, 25 years of service with 80% pension. The new person gets the Bachelors Degree then off they go once they stay with CPD for 2 yrs. If a person felt they truely had a chance at getting promoted they would not use CPD as a stepping stone to go toward other Law Enforcement Agencies. I have taken a couple of promotional exams over the past ten years and I feel jaded because someone else gets the position because they knew of someone in higher position within the Dept. I have seen some Merit Promoted people unqualified, not knowing patrol procedures, arrest procedures moving forward. I have not been promoted to SGT because the lack of studing when test time came around. My attitude has changed now I want to be a SGT or above for pension purposes. Our benefits for patrol officers are deminishing slowly with every contract. I figured if the pension was sweeter then the postion in Management will do so I can pay for the high cost of paying for retiree benefits. Well maybe these recommedations will attract better people wanting to be the Police and improve moral for those who have been Police in our city for a while. Twenty more years to go...take care.

9/27/2006 03:49:00 AM  
Blogger Murphy40Pct said...

A second problem is once you are hired, it is nearly impossible to get fired from the CPD. Most police academies throughout the U.S. weed out those less proficient in police skills. Not so with the CPD because of many reasons I've heard- a desire to maintain levels of minorities and women, as well as just to avoid lawsuits. Big mistake, whatever the reason-and the effects are felt for years.

9/27/2006 03:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well stated. I am neither an old-timer, or part of the new collge educated crew coming through. My perspective sees value in both sets of individuals, but probably favors the old-timers. When I came on, I was told, keep your mouth shut and ears open and to listen to those who have been doing this for a while. The old timers weren't considered "dogs" but wiser veterans who did what we want to do and could do the paper, I relied heavily on those individuals for guidance. Thats whats missing on todays watches, all two year guys working with two year guys. As for the college, I believe it weeds out some of the potential problems that may not be stopped by the rest of the process. Hopefully someone who takes time to go to college is reliable and a good person. However, having college, and I have more than most, does not guarantee a better officer, as a recruit once told me. It does not really help much when dealing with individuals whose sole purpose is to deceive you or kick your butt.

9/27/2006 05:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You forgot one other thing seniority got you before. When you had 20-25 years on the job, you could finish your career in the front office. Now these positions are filled with our beauties that are just off probation. More wonderful command moves to help bring up morale on the job.

9/27/2006 06:26:00 AM  
Blogger kateykakes said...

Although I am not a P/O and just the gf of one, I do hear and read about the same gripes that you all face daily. Granted, it's not the same as being on the job by any means, but I am sympathetic to your plight.

A few months ago there was an article posted in the local paper titled Upper Darby looking for more diversity in the PD.

I couldn't help but wonder WHAT the powers that be were bringing to my township to protect & serve. Applicants should be hired based on their ability, not their gender or race.

Then there's the issue of education, as mentioned in your article:

How much does one really need?

I would imagine that this subject is a hot topic in EVERY big city police department, as I've read many of the same complaints/gripes from P/O's at NYPD Rant and Philadelphia's Domelights.

If you have some extra time, you can read about some of those education issues here:

Police Agencies Find It Hard to Require Degrees

At any rate, thanks for all that you do out there. Believe it or not, you're appreciated more than you know.

Stay safe out there...

kk

9/27/2006 07:45:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was told that the recruits in the academy have a time out card...when they feel too stressed out they can flash the card and take a time out...is this true? God help us if it is....when on the street ...in the thick of it can you take a time out?? The academy should be tough......and it should strain all your sensibilities....beecause its for damn sure the streets will......if the streets were softer then the cops could be softer...if anything the streets are meaner than ever.......we have lost our edge.........

9/27/2006 08:06:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As somebody who's planning on taking the next test and has the old man who was on the job for 35 years, I'm not sure that I'd every use the last name to get somewhere.

Hell, the reason I'm taking the test is because my job is boring. Getting on the segway detail at Grant Park wouldn't exactly improve that

9/27/2006 08:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To Me Again: I have been on this job almost 29 years, and we have been asking the same question for at least that long. When we are budgeted for 13,500, but only have 11,000 people, just where is that extra money going?

9/27/2006 08:50:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

SCC, great thread, these are the topics that should be discussed on this board. You wrote a great piece, followed by some intellegent responses. THANK YOU.

9/27/2006 09:49:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with a lot of these comments. I am an "Old-timer", yes I show up on jobs but as far as working hard forget it! No one backs you when your in s)(T! Just go to work read a good book find great coffee and that is it! I will continue to use my seniority work work at airports,Tara,Cha etc>. Remember when I came on the job i worked many lower paid security jobs to support my family when the recruits and college kids get time they will have the same thing! Thnaks to all the younger officers coming on as you will help keep my pension checks coming when i retire for that i THANK YOU!

9/27/2006 09:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

.....Check out the PPO's on tact in 011. Mommy, I wanna be on the tact team.......

Look at the 017th tact. They need a few FTO's up there too. Give me a break--off probation straight to tact! WHAT AN INSULT TO THE GUYS AND GALS WORKIN' THEIR BEHINDS TRYING TO GET NOTICED.-----AN EVEN BIGGER INSULT TO THOSE THAT HAD TO EARN THEIR SPOTS . WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

9/27/2006 09:59:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HEY... 9/26/2006 11:56:57 PM

YOUR RIGHT!! UNCLE PHIL IS GOING THROUGH A LIST OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ON A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR WILL BE RECEIVING A LETTER FROM UNCLE PHIL, STATING IF THEY ARE NOT BACK BY (I BLIEVE) THE 25 OF OCTOBER. THEY WILL BE TERMINATED FROM THE JOB...

FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD, THERE ARE TOO MANY COPPERS ON A LEAVE, AND IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE THEM BACK ON THE STREET, OR AT LEAST HAVE IT ON PAPER, THAT OUR MAN POWER IS UP.

HEY, ALD. BURKE & BEAVERS, WHY DON'T YOU INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE STIPULATING, ANYONE ON A LEAVE OF ABSENCE OTHER THAN A LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITION WOULD HAVE TO TERMINATE THEIR JOB AFTER 1 YEAR.

9/27/2006 10:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I thought that the Washington Post article hit it right on the head; the fact that departments all over the country are having problems attracting quality recruits at least supports a conclusion that it's not just a Chicago problem. I used to be a supporter of the college requirement, but now I'm thinking it may have been a mistake. And, maybe the conditions of employment after a person takes the job have an effect on those considering to apply for the job; maybe some changes are in order, like: eliminating all merit for promotions, greater use of seniority in promotions, eliminate the residency requirement, re-establish a true shift differential (i.e., 5% base pay increase for assignment to the afternoon shift, 10% for midnights), increase the pension percentage upon retirement (80% maybe) and/or shorten the years of service needed to retire; if college is considered important, then add an education pay bonus of some kind; elimination of the six day work week is important too, I think.....

9/27/2006 10:27:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bottom line....todays officer is one that hides behind blogs "sarcasm & silliness" instead of handling it at Ira's in the parking lot. College cranium cowards !!

9/27/2006 11:48:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Damn Straight. It used to be when a copper put in his 20+ years he looked forward to the opertunity of slowing down a bit and maybe working the front desk or watch sec'y office but all you need now a days is zero police experience on the street, just off your probation and a cute smile and a set of tits. Troof hurts :-(

Crime rate up, back logs everyday, lunches denied, time off denied, skeleton crews on the street making it even for unsafe for the coppers out there, etc etc etc. Solution - Hire more cops!! Daley's quick fix - hire the dummy/no experience TMA's. They make traffic even worse and are a big embarresment. Then give em police radio's to boot where they can hear everything they don't need to be hearing plus I hear they are always screaming on the citywide band about every little thing.

I hear the bosses out there are telling their sgt's not to mention and to avoid every question or comment brought up at beat meetings about manpower and "not" to write it down on the beat meeting log that gets turned in. That's a crock of shit.

I've never seen so many gangsta thug coppers and dawg ass do nothing coppers as I see today on the job. Back in the day, moral was high, everybody backed each other up, the watch was like a family. Not any more!!!

Don't you just love the coppers that have to make a fashion statement or they think they are cooool by wearing a blue tooth in the ear the for the whole tour. It's obvious that your not even thinking about doing any form of police work including sneaking up on a bad guy, doing a surveillance, chasing somebody or possibly fighting somebody while your wearing that flimsy blue flashing earpiece.

Or the copper that is on his/her cell phone the entire tour. Everytime you see the same officer that phone is glued to the ear.

Or roll calls over, izzz can putz my 2-3 ear rings back in my ear.

Okay, I'll stop for now. I feel better. I have to save some for the next blog.

Stay safe...

9/27/2006 11:53:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

[Again] Well written SCC.
Yes, there are old-timers AND younger members out there humpin' on a daily basis. God Bless them all!
And there are the dogs!
My concern are the REMF's* that have little or no time on the job, get cush spots, i.e. Desk, Office, or other Inside jobs and are dogs at that job too! They whine, loaf and duck and when they're away from the job, they brag to people that "I'm the po-lice!"
When you talk to your friends, tell them you "Work [if applicable] for the Police Department." Don't say that you ARE the police. That is a title EARNED not inherited.
The REAL police are those that hump or [have humped] doing police work.
If you cannot answer the following questions, you may not be or have ever been the real police.
1) When was the last time you were at the Grand Jury? [sorry, being a defendant doesn't count] or "Court" [aside from traffic court]
2) When, if ever, have YOU seen a potential criminal on the street and followed your instincts and watch him/her until they commit a criminal act** and take them into custody?
3) In the past____ (fill in the blanks) years on the job how many have been on the street and during that time how many arrests were thru your own intuition, observation or expertise? [sorry, merely responding to a radio call doesn't count-especially IF they are already in custody]
4) How many search warrants have you been on? [affiant or participant]
5) Do YOU routinely work overtime or handle court for on-view, felony, or Honorable Mention level*** arrests?
6) Are you [no clout involved] truely Tact Team, or Detective Division potential, now or ever truely working successfully in that direction?
7) Are YOU the person that your brother [real]police officers could count on to be there as a non-assigned back-up, drive-by assist, or on-the-scene at a 10-1? A good indication would be for them to say, "I'd want him/her next to me in a fox-hole any day!"
8) How many self-motivated street stops have you made other than [citation only just to keep the WC off you back] that you used probable cause to get a gun, dope, felon etc?
9) Are you usually the last in and first out?
10) Will you be the first to beef that "I don't do anything on this job because....{just a few of the usual comments here)
a) Daley is an asshole
b) Bosses are assholes
c) City won't back you up
d) I get the same pay for doing nothing
e) fill in your own bs comment"
.....so you rather do nothing and complain and stll refer to yourself as a real copper?
11) AND LASTLY...Do you read SCC only to spread rumors, talk shit, belittle other 'workers', coppers, bosses and complain about how crappy this job is? If you're not part of the 'solution' YOU are part of the 'problem.'
Simply stated... IF you want to be the Real Police, Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, or at least do your job and shut your pie hole unless you have something constructive to say.

* REMF = Rear Eschalon Mother Fuckers [A Viet Nam era term]This includes 'some' BOSSES!

** buy/sell dope, robbery,burglary, theft etc or a Part 1 Offense

*** "Honorable Mention level" arrest = an arrest that you would not be embarassed to having been read in front of your peers. [While 'some' supervisors are too stupid or lazy to recognize your talents/dedication with an Honorable, I'm talking about a H.M. 'level' arrest here regardless if you have the paper to prove it or not.]

Look at your self in a mirror. If you are/were the REAL police, then continue to wear that title with pride, in honor of all those like/before you.
If not, don't embarass or call yourself the real police....the rest of US know the truth.

REMEMBER THAT THIN BLUE LINE!

9/27/2006 11:56:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does your appearance command respect?

Tissue, lobster bibs and knee pads are now available gratis on the fifth floor at Fort Kool-Aid for all exempts and other sundry CPD suckholes.

It's really nauseating to see a shameless boss strutting around with a dollop of semen on his/her chin.

9/27/2006 12:49:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yahoo Mush Mouse, I think your feelings are shared by many... Well put my friend...

9/27/2006 12:58:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First off, every time I hear Phil Cline tell the media we have 13,500 coppers on the streets, I want to puke.

We have well under 10,000 and by some estimates, we have about 8,000. And we have a BUDGET for 13,500 so we get more money. More money that gets sunk into worthless things like a CPD Hummer and hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for trucks with satelite dishes and cameras. All this while most cars can't even get antiquated PDT's that rarely work. GOD-FORBID we get equipment that even the small suburban departments have and don't need that we do (tasers, shotguns, rifles)!!

And that doesn't mean cops on the street. The majority of that small number are cops who push desks, work lockups, detectives, all of the units (marine, k9, airport, etc).
We are lucky to get backup on jobs these days.

And while I am on my soapbox, why dont we save MILLION of taxpayer dollars by shitcanning most of these bosses. Between Inspectors, which is a worthless position, and bosses that no one needs (hi, i am the commander of paperclips at headquarters, meet my friend who is the commander of Blackberries for the other commanders), we waste too much money. We are so brass-heavy it is laughable. Don't even get me going on how much we spend on takehome cars and gas!

So why the low numbers? Why are we thousands understaffed for our budget?

First and foremost, the "college coppers" are just fine. Just because someone has an advanced degree does not mean they cannot handle themselves on the streets.

Why should someone sign up for this job when they have a degree? They can make more money, live in the burbs, not get shot at, not get sued, not deal with politics, etc if they take a job in the private sector.

So what do you do? Drop the college requirement?
That is not the answer.
With some of the coppers coming on the job these days and with P.O.'s getting locked up, we cannot just accept any mope with a CPS high-school degree or GED. As much as this job is street smarts, you DO you need an education.

Anyone can lock someone up but if you do not have the education needed to write good paper, testify in court, write up search warrants, etc, the bad guys you lock up will go free.

In my humble opinion, the answer to getting QUALIFIED people taking this job is two-fold.

First, we need to offer a desireable package to these new college grads/military vets.
If aldermen and WalMart workers can get a "living wage," why can't we?
Raise the sallary and drop the residency requirement, as the other big cities (NY, LA) have done.

Second, make the promotional process FAIR. Why would someone want to take a job where they know there is a very real possibility they will hit the glass ceeling at Patrolman because they dont have a phone call to make or becuase they are the wrong race/gender/sexual orientation.

Just a few thoughts. Are you getting this media?

9/27/2006 01:12:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

9/27/2006 03:43:46 AM:

Amen!!

9/27/2006 01:16:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

SORRY LONG!

The trouble comes with the quality of people hired lately. This job is a hard sell. We've written a few times in the past about departments nationwide unable to fill spots because of numerous hurdles (salary, hours, etc).

*** How could you NOT include residency once in your piece?? They can pay you $100,000 to be a PO, but if houses cost $1,000,000 why the hell would you take this job?


So why not finish college, get a degree and hire on in the private sector where you can make more money with better benefits and less headaches?

*** SCC, how long have you been the police? What jobs did you do, in what year, before becoming the police?

Let me tell you about the recent job market. I studied sociology in college (ya ya). Looked at the job requirements and sallary for Social Workers and laughed. I then asked my professors, what the hell else can I do with a Soc degree? Their response was teaching. Ya, right.

I graduated from college in the late 90's. I wanted to go to law school, took the LSAT and looked now the barrel of 100K for student debt. Obting to work alittle to see what was going on, I went to work as a paralegal in a large law firm in Chicago.

All my classes in Soc did me well, making xeroxes and filling paperwork. I made $24,000 there and for all of the high paid Harvard Law grads there they allocated a whopping $750 / yr to help with law school.

a couple of years later, the tech stock bubble was growing, and I threw my hat in the ring and left the comfy, but low paying law firm to join a stock brokerage firm. I got a slight raise to $27,000 as a Cust Serv agent while I studied for the Series 7 (fed test to trade stocks).

Around this time, the tech bubble was bursting and I took the CPD test with my bud. 6 months later I got another raise to $35,000 for just trying to stay awake in the academy. 5 years after that, I'm making $70,000.

I have since far out paced all my friends in every employment sector: computers, law, sales. I love the look on my peers faces when I tell them how much I make! My point is: find me another job, in the current market that I can make this much money with this much freedom.

My point is, you are out of touch with the current job market.



We seem to have hit the era of the "college copper."
We have nothing against education, but in the words of a boss far wiser than we, many of these kids are "too much college, not enough high school."

**** SCC, you and your generation have the same ill-conceived generalizations about college grads. You think we are all bookworms with tape holding our glasses together and slide rules in our ink stained pocket-protector. I doubt that there is one MIT or UC-Berkely grad on the CPD. (Maybe Hubberman, but he's not really the police.)

SCC, take a road trip to your kids' college and see what college students are doing. I'll bet it looked the same as what you did in H.S.: drinking, fvcking, and fighting. If those aren't prerquisites for coppers, then I waisted my youth.

9/27/2006 01:17:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

These are all great reasons why people wont take this job anymore.

Maybe the city should comission a study of coppers and ask them THEIR opinions on how to get QUALIFIED people to take this job.

9/27/2006 01:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

there really is no loyalty to anyone corporation or employer, including the police department.

------------------

Ya, cause hearless, soulless, and faceless corporations have ALOT of loyality to their common workers....

9/27/2006 01:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

the 20's and early thirties have a tendency to feel that they don't need to put in 20 years before they move up. they want to get hired and be a vice president or in our case, a commander, before they have even gotten their feet wet.

--------------------

Ok, anyone that has been so promoted did it cause their POLITICAL connections.

9/27/2006 01:22:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The kids who toted STAR WARS lunchboxes are the most highly educated generation in American history: Almost 60% of Gen Xers have some college education, and 6.6% have graduate school degrees. The Census Bureau calls their pursuit of higher education the "Big Payoff," since historically a college-educated full-time worker earns 1.8 times more over his lifetime than a high school graduate.

9/27/2006 01:27:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey 11:35, adios, and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. You are part of the reason the job can be messed up, you never wanted to be the police, you are looking for a part time job. Well, like you said, you have found it in the Fire Department. I'm sure you'll be spending tons of time with your family now, or more than likely maybe working all your other jobs. Good riddance, make way for someone that WANTS to be the police.

9/27/2006 01:40:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

czwpqOne of the main problems in attracting qualified applicants is the residency requirement. A PPO's salary and a house in a decent neighborhood don't mix.(Even with a second job sometimes.)Most are hesitant about sending their children to CPS. And on top of all that most people who have the qualifications that CPD asks for will not want to work a 6 DAY WORK WEEK. Starting out on either first or third watch,(That's midnights or swingshift for you non-police.)working most holidays and weekends,not being able to take time due to enjoy your personal life or your family.We are the last major metropolitan Police Department to work under such a antiquated and unfair work schedule.Most potential candidates don't think it's worth the sacrafice. Especially when you can join CFD,make a extra 2g's a year and work 24hrs on 72hrs off with enough time for yourself and your family. AND the option to take off a scheduled workday if another firefighter is willing to work in your place. If CPD is serious about attracting QUALIFIED applicants,these and other serious issues need to be addresed. It can be a GREAT job if the powers that be start taking care of the rank and file that go out there and do the job and put their lives on the line each and everyday.

9/27/2006 01:51:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Speaking of seniority...how come Mark Donahue's wife leads the spouse tribute every year at the national and state conventions for Chicago. No one ever talked to any of us (FOP Aux).

9/27/2006 01:56:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Don't know why y'all are blaming the younger generation. There are far fewer of them surrendering to enemies in Iraq, Afghanistan etc. than there were in Vietnam, Korea and WWII.

You say its them that have been coddled? Heal thyselves physicians.

Its YOUR generation that created the cradle to grave welfare state. Its YOUR generation(s) that stand in the way of ANY meaningful reform of social security. You want coddled? You ARE the coddled.

These are the kids that we made. You can dislike some of them, or some of what some of them do, but don't any of you dare blame THEIR generation for how they are.

They are the children of baby boomers and the true ME generation. They are the younger siblings of slackers in Generation X.

I'm an X'er and I'll still tell anyone that I like kids today FAR more than I liked kids in my generation. These kids are doing their best. They are asking questions, voting Republican, calling Rumsfeld a dumbfu*&*& to his face, and generally doing everything we ask of them.

If they need a bit of refinement as police officers, than help them.

But you people sound like Grandpa Simpson with this nonsense. From the generations where police who shot at each other (Cermak Road in the '20s) and ran with the mob ('60s, '70s, '80s and '90s), you people think that THIS generation is the one with the problems? Bitches please.

9/27/2006 01:59:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am very new, less than two years to be exact. I am also in my early thirties which gives me a little more life experience than your average "new guy". However, it seems to me that there is no right "smarts" (street or book) which ever one might save you or your partner's ass should be sufficient.
Whether it be the "old timer" or the "new kid"-neither one has patience for the other. In other words, the battle line has been drawn. It's engraved in the CPD culture that if you have less than (insert amount of years here)you are not worthy. When in reality we are all on the same team-especially when WE are in the car TOGETHER. Your partner is all you have. New or old, dog or hard charger we have to keep eachother safe.
PS This job is great! I love being a cop. No matter how political. Every job I have ever had in the private sector is more political, there is more nepotism and there ARE NO TESTS for promotion-it is all based on who you know.

9/27/2006 02:45:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

TO 3:43, WHAT IS YOUR "AROUND 5 YEARS"? PROBABLY MORE LIKE 3 YEARS. GO OUT AND WORK, FINE JUST LIKE ALL THE PEOPLE YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT DID 15+ YEARS AGO. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THE GUYS YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT KNOW HOW TO GET IT DONE WHEN IT COUNTS, NOT CALL FOR A SGT LIKE YOU MOST LIKELY WOULD. SURE AS YOU GET OLDER YOU DON'T HARD CHARGE AS MUCH AS YOU USED TO, BUT I'LL TAKE EXPERIENCE OVER EAGERNESS ANY DAY JUNIOR.

9/27/2006 03:24:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How many of these individuals are now supervising the rank and file?
Seems the problem continues to grow up and within no end in sight.

Off Topic/Any opinions on this process?

Chicago Gets Homeland Security Grant
Tony Arnold

CHICAGO (2006-09-26) The City of Chicago has some new money to work with to beef up security. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Office of Emergency Management and Communications over $7 million in grants.

Andrew Velasquez is the executive director of Chicago's OEMC. He says he can't be too specific about how the money will be used for security reasons, but a lot of the money will go toward waterfront areas.

"The Chicago River winds through downtown and goes past some of the most, you know, iconic structures you'll find anywhere in the city and so with this money we're gonna take steps to make the Chicago River a safer waterway," he says.

Last year the OEMC didn't receive any money from Homeland Security.

The agency also gave over $3 million to the Illinois International Port District

9/27/2006 03:34:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Off Topic But........

What was one of the stripped SOS officers doing at 26/Cal tofay in a suit with a private attorney??? JB...Things that make you go Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm???

Testifying at the GJ maybe????

Do tell

9/27/2006 04:37:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Im coming up on 10 years and can honestly say im done. Ill answer my jobs and get fake curfews and dispersals for some made up hot spot but I will never go out of my way again to get arrest that is unless its by house. Until city starts respecting us and maybe we stick together on some issues to make this shit job better im done. Meritorius promotions, 6 day works week, no lunches, clout babies, and the worst living in this city! Whoever sides with city on residency is a real ASSHOLE. you can live here not me thank you. I didnt think moral could get any lower?

9/27/2006 04:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As far as the latest sgt promotional test...WE WANT A RECOUNT!!!
What kind of crap is the city doing with the results.
The 2 questions that they removed from the test, I got right!
I want credit for those two questions.

9/27/2006 05:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A second problem is once you are hired, it is nearly impossible to get fired from the CPD. Most police academies throughout the U.S. weed out those less proficient in police skills. Not so with the CPD because of many reasons I've heard- a desire to maintain levels of minorities and women, as well as just to avoid lawsuits. Big mistake, whatever the reason-and the effects are felt for years.

9/27/2006 03:57:17 AM

Not entirely true. I hear the new regime in the Academy has fired at least 14 recruits in the last year for various reasons. All races and genders too from what I hear.

9/27/2006 05:11:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

they teach alot of crap at the academy about the use of force paradigm. while it is valuble to know, the best thing they could do would be to have pat camden give an hour lecture on how to write a batttery to p/o, or agg assault case report.

9/27/2006 05:17:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I need to write a dissertation for my Masters degree, and with this thread, you have made up my mind! This will be the topic of my dissertation, thank you SCC

9/27/2006 05:33:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I say nothing will get better unless we reform the system Jimmy Katsaros for union president!!!

9/27/2006 05:39:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I respect the old timers, they have already "been there done that" and now it's time for the new guys to do it. Stop crying about having to take jobs on their beats and do it so you can learn this job and feel confident in the monkey suit we wear.
These PPO's and guys with little time on are so arrogant and demanding these days. Since when does a PPO think they are going to grab the keys and drive? That's not their decision. I would also like to know why PPO's are on days after their cycles are over. Shouldn't they be dumped to afternoons or mids like all of us were? Too much education breeds incapable crybabies. The End

9/27/2006 05:59:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You forgot one other thing seniority got you before. When you had 20-25 years on the job, you could finish your career in the front office. Now these positions are filled with our beauties that are just off probation.

AMEN!!! It's sickening how every sweet spot in a district is filled with do nothing, know nothing females that spent 6 months (or less) on the street before they became overpaid secretaries. I bet they brag to their family and friends about being "the police" but really their work day consists of chatting on the phone, losing tickets, and making microwave popcorn.

9/27/2006 06:12:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

MILITARY VETS: When I first got on the job a great majority of the new officers had been in military service. That service was in most cases a great maturing process. The result was officers use to taking direction without much questioning as to the reason. And one hell of a lot less whining which has become such a staple on the CPD>

9/27/2006 07:44:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Has anyone seen Tricky's car lately?
PayBack is a Bitch!

9/27/2006 08:26:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eddy May (011) should run for Union President. He is the real police! I don't think Donahue or his boys could even touch May. Maybe Sid could ... he worked in 011. He did about the same amount of work as May...right.

9/27/2006 09:27:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To: 9/27/2006 08:06:58 AM

There is no time out card at the Academy. Also a lot of the things taught may not apply on the street but are needed to pass the State test.

9/27/2006 09:59:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You talk about old timers that have put their time in and deserve to relax at the desk. Look at 011. Everyone has less than 5 years on. Some are forced to be there, but most choose to be there. How about Kulhane he was never even on the street and he has the balls to tell you how to right your arrest report when he has two years on and he's acting desk sgt. GIVE ME A BREAK! How do they repay him for his weeks of service on the street they give him a position on the Tact Team. I would love to see his stats, which must have earned him his spot. Probably approved 150 arrest reports, I-Bonded 200, and made 300 accident reports. That's what I love about this job. Anyone can "Earn" a spot on this job. How come when I got on the tact team the lt. actually reviewed my arrests and then informed me I was selected based on my stats. Wow has this place changed. Even the residents of 011 deserve better than that.

9/27/2006 10:00:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

to anon: 9/27/06 1:59

I dont agree w/much of what u said; but in a round about way u Saluted the young men(and women)of today, who are serving bravely, and ,like the Vietnam guys,w/their hands tied behind their backs. I firmly believe they should be given preference when they return home and are looking for Police/Fire jobs.
Yea, there were cops that protected the Dago "outfit"in 50-80s;their time is gone;what about the cops protecting the street gangs and their "rackets" of today. I liked it better when the crime was "organized" At least the Dagos were better shots and low key about it!!!!
U mentioned surrendering by the WW2 and Korea guys?Have u ever been surrounded/outnumbered and out of ammo? I haven't, thank GOD, but Im not going to judge Soldiers and Police Officers who have been in that situation.The Army taught me to "live to fight another day".
I could rant all nite on this one,but your right,this generation of Soldiers are every bit as great as the WW2, Korea,& Vietnam guys!!
There is a civilized American somewhere inside u Anon 1 59am!!!

9/27/2006 10:18:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Check out Westwoodone.com/Osgood for the radio piece by Charles Osgood 25 SEP 2006. Apparently the Fed Gov Office of Management & Budget is requiring that all levels of government (local & state) now at least attempt to estimate what their specific pension liabilty is.
Most local brances of government are way deep in debt regarding employee pensions. The fed estimates the total amount owed municipal employees in benefits and pension is anywhere from 1.6 Billion to almost 3 Trillion and that some smaller municipalities will not be able to pay up down the road. Osgood even states how some people opted for a steady government job with good pension/benefits as opposed to the private sector but now those exact perks are in doubt.

9/27/2006 10:18:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A PO from the 005th District is appearing in a lineup in Area 4 after trying to cash a forged check for $1 million dollars at the Patrolmen's Credit Union - IN FULL UNIFORM!

9/27/2006 10:58:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who's TRICKY?

9/27/2006 11:00:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To 9/27/2006 11:48:44 AM

You sir are a retard. And it's a charaterization you should take too lightly. I don't know too many fathers who threaten to throw their son's out on their ass if they pursue a college education. I have one. And one of my recent arrests culminated in a dog being placed on death row (thank you Judge Kazmierski)! Have you done that lately you drooling idiot? Ira's was fine, but the bar at the Bier Stube is better. I'll meet you in back of the joint anytime and you can bring the zip gun you made in shop at Prosser you cretin.

9/27/2006 11:02:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To all of you who want to believe that we don't have any UC-Berkeley grads, etc., on the job. You're wrong. I graduated from the Univ. of Calif., and I've worked with several officers who are Univ. of Chicago grads, several more with Masters Degree from legitimate universities (any school other than Chicago State), and a number with law degrees. Several people I've worked with lately have had mathematics degrees, physics or law degrees. We have nurses, teachers, and engineers on this job. A couple of years ago a recruit came on who had attended and graduated from Harvard's School of International Relations. We have P.O.'s who speak German, French, Spanish, Polish and Chinese.

My point is that there are many very bright and exceptionally bright people on this job. In my experience over nearly 25 years, it is those with the least amount of education who are most critical of those with education. Some of the most critical officers can barely spell their own names much less write a credible case report.

When I came on this job from another dept. in the early 80's, I looked around at my homeroom and arrogantly decided that less than 40% "belonged on the job." Recently while checking out what some of my classmates are now doing, I found 3 Capt., 11 Lts., 9 Sgt's, and 1 Chaplain. There were numerous detectives and FTO's. This is with only 55-60 class members left since half the class has retired and several have died.

Its funny how all these dumb recruits turn out to be good officers and bosses within 5-6 years. Nobody really knows how to be the police in less than 5 years if they're honest.

9/27/2006 11:03:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

BE CAREFUL IN 002. Patricia Hill, the fired CPD Officer who heads(or headed) the African American Police Association is coming back on the job! She was finally fired about 8 months ago for refusing to take a piss test. She was on the medical forever, and when she came off she refused to take a urine test so they fired her. She is currently assigned as "District Reinstatement" in the academy, and then is headed to 002. She popped into 002 last week to bid for the car assigned to sit outside Dorothy Tillman's office on 47th and King. It's a bid spot. She was told she could not bid for any openings on that car because she is still assigned to 044(academy) and not 002. She got CR#'s on a capt. and Lt. for not allowing her to bid on a spot in a district she isn't even assigned to yet. HOW DO YOU REFUSE TO TAKE A URINE TEST AND GET BACK ON THE JOB????

9/27/2006 11:17:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to laugh at the naivete of many of many entires on this blog:
e.g. "If the City was serious about improving...; If the Department wanted the best qualified...; ad nauseum! WAKE UP!
You live in the most corrupt city in the most corrupt state in the Union. If you are young enough to do so, GET THE FUCK OUT! ASAP! If not, bite the bullet and retire ASAP! At least collect SOME pension bennies, before YOU KNOW WHO AND HIS CREW STEAL IT ALL!
If you are a self-centered yes-man pimp, a political prostitute, or can satisfy deviate sexual desires, then BY ALL MEANS STAY!
Your success is assured!

9/27/2006 11:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

to: 9/27/2006 10:26:46 pm....probably a good idea for Phil to take a look at leaves of absence, but how about these ideas? 1) the CPD conducts a complete "personnel audit" examining every employee and where they ACTUALLY work, then publishes the results (not by name, of course, but by title, position, and unit); 2) in furtherance, publicly explaining the actual duties of those employees, i.e., if a District has 300 officers actually asigned there, how many are "on the street", how many work in an office, etc.; 3) publicly explaining workload/calls for service requirements, weighted for seriousness and complexity (this would help the public understand why citizens in some Districts wait (hours?) for service (calls for service backlogs, the modern equivalent of the former "no cars available" scandal), and why some detective areas are swamped with assignments (i.e., the assigned detective tells the victim: hey, if you see (the guy who robbed you, your stolen car drive by, call us!); 4) then Phil and Ritchie can stand in front of the public and say that because the city had 300 murders (instead of 350; substitute your own numbers), we are all a lot safer.....

9/27/2006 11:51:00 PM  
Blogger Westcide Dog said...

After reading all of the posts here I've come to the conclusion that this job hasn't changed in personalities or the quality of new hires at all! Coming on over 15 years ago the same comments were made about all the college educated folks not being able to handle the job. Bullshit. Some of these guys go, and went, out of their way to learn something new everyday to be a better copper. The education requirement is all smoke and mirrors to make the public feel they are getting a better qualified police officer.

The same bullshit comments were made about the old-timer dog assess when I got on. Wah wah wah they don't do anything, wah wah wah all they do is read and drink coffee, wah wah wah etc. ad infinitum. Please. When, how and why they got to the point of backing off is their business. Just because you weren't there doesn't mean they didn't pay their dues. (Not everybody with 25 + years on can be Eddie May. That man is a hell of a copper and an anomoly on this job!)

As far as making promotions based on arrests etc. I say horse shit! What if I haven't written a mover, parker or made an arrest in over 5 years? Does that qualify me as a dogass or suckhole? Just because I haven't done those things doesn't mean I don't do police work! Making an arrest is not fuckin' brain surgery! My retarded wheelchair bound siblings could do that if they were sworn in! What if I cost these P.O.S. gangbangers more grief and money than your bullshit 1 bag pinch? What if what I do forces them to move their shit to the suburbs? Aren't I deserving of a promotion for getting rid of long embedded problems that your moronic DC arrests can't even begin to solve? What in your ever so enlightened minds would make you think that police work only involves making pinches? Buy a fuckin' clue already!

I do agree with the posts regarding making this job more attractive to new recruits. The solutions are out there, but it's up to the management to be willing to look at those unique ideas and implement them.

A small bit of advice to my younger bretheren. Find a partner that can write paper! More coppers jammed themsevels up because of horseshit paper than you can imagine!

9/28/2006 12:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

9/27/2006 11:53:49 AM

Exactly

9/28/2006 12:20:00 AM  
Blogger leomemorial said...

9/27/2006 10:26:46 AM --- Thank you for explaining that (and SCC, too).

No disrespect to you all because what many of you do, I respect and honor.

But why become a cop these days I must ask? You have no equipment, People that will get promoted based on their name or who they know over you, dealing with this nutty public, rigged exams, getting sued, crap from the department, having to have your voice heard anonymously, etc.

So my question to all of you is if you can do it all over again, would you become a cop? Why did you become a cop in the first place and do you truly enjoy your job????

9/28/2006 12:35:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I used to be a supporter of the college requirement, but now I'm thinking it may have been a mistake.

-------------

Dont for get part of the college was for keeping gangbangers out. It's not fool-proof, but I'm sure it's helped.

9/28/2006 01:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This whole discussion about the "Quote" "new recruits" ON THIS JOB "DON'T GET IT" ARE "B.S." They are only as good as their "F.T.O." The MOST IMPORTANT JOB on this Department is the F.T.O.. Who molds the new recruits and gives them the motivation and knowledge to be "THE POLICE". What is the motivation to be an F.T.O?, ZERO, NOTHING. The Department offers no motivation to be a FTO, so most (not all) are useless (P.O.S.) that NO ONE wants to work with, (so they become FTO's because recruits have no say so as to who they have to work with). So the department puts these recruits with these useless P.O.S., And what do they learn?. "NOTHING "just how to be a "DOG" like their useless P.O.S. F.T.O. The department has to improve the incentives to be a F.T.O. so that our BEST patrol officers (and There are a lot of "GREAT ONES") to want to train and mold the new recruits on this job. Until they do make the FTO job more attractive (I.E. D2A pay as, THIS IS A MORE IMPORTANT JOB THAN DETECTIVE)we will continue to get what we pay for.

9/28/2006 01:43:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to agree with 11:53am...Many gangster type coppers on the job speaking poor english and very thug-like..I see many coppers with the blue tooth attached to their ear. WHAT A JOKE!! Any copper that wears an ear piece for their cell phone while working all day is a complete fool and jackass!!! But I guess in their world it looks "cool and gangster like"

9/28/2006 02:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

9/27/2006 11:56:56 AM
Your idea's of humping are a little off.
When is the last time you have been in a busy district as a beat car?
I can agree with the court and street stops but all the rest are way off.
Beat cars doing search warrants?
I think you need to come back to reality about humping on a beat car. Between the non sense doc humpers,foot patrol humpers, dispatched jobs, backing up officers, domestic arrests, shop lifters, etc. etc. I hardly have time to stop and get a coke and piss at 7-11. What district do you work in were you have all this free time to do all this real police work in a beat car? Or are you one of those officers that stay down on parkers to make these great arrests screwing everyone else that has to handle your beat when your not there?

9/28/2006 04:11:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sure this job is a hard sell. Work six days off two. Simple math tells you it's not a 40 hour work week.
----------------------------------
Well, genius, apparently you can't do simple math. Look at a calendar. Now, look at any work week, meaning Sunday-Saturday. pick any day off group that you like and then show us ANY week that you work six days in that week.

Here's the problem with requiring a college degree for employment: it doesn't mean anything nowadays. When I was approving case reports of some of these college educated idiots, they couldn't spell! They used the wrong word when they meant something else (than, then; they're, their, there; etc.) In my generation, a grammar school graduate could use the right word. I'm not blaming the kids. I'm blaming the education system in this country. They're more interested in teaching about "feelings", diversity, and other left leaning things than how to form cogent sentences. And don't even get me started on being able to make properly thought out decisions on their own. It's shameful.

9/28/2006 04:54:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is a great job.....I get paid to do almost nothing....thanks for all the help young aggressive officers....retirement is around the corner !

9/28/2006 10:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So most of you sound like you want the college requirement out? You most likely are the ones who didn't have college to be hired. Well how many of you have talked to or arrested any of these kids on the street who go to CPS? College is the best thing they can put in to get people who can actually write a legible sentence. I have looked through some of these papers these CPS graduates have on them and nothing makes sense, and if you can make out the words the grammar is awful. So by your recommendation of, "drop college to get more qualified candidates," we would all look like the biggest bunch of uneducated illiterate fools in any job in this country.

PS Some of you should read what you type before you submit, you might find a few errors of your own.

9/28/2006 11:39:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

leomemorial said...
9/27/2006 10:26:46 AM --- Thank you for explaining that (and SCC, too).

No disrespect to you all because what many of you do, I respect and honor.

But why become a cop these days I must ask? You have no equipment, People that will get promoted based on their name or who they know over you, dealing with this nutty public, rigged exams, getting sued, crap from the department, having to have your voice heard anonymously, etc.

So my question to all of you is if you can do it all over again, would you become a cop? Why did you become a cop in the first place and do you truly enjoy your job????
-----
That's such an AWESOME question, I wish SCC would post it on the front to get responses, 'cause it's the same thing I'm wondering. Given all the crap that's discussed here, WHY BECOME A COP??? I'm someone else wondering what coppers would say -- and if two of us are wonderng that, SCC, you know others are wondering, too. So how 'bout it? Upfront in a future posting maybe?

9/28/2006 12:17:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What happened to Tricky's car cause what ever it is he deserved worse!!!!!

9/28/2006 03:39:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

to. 9/27/2006 11:56:56 AM, nice.

Remember, if we do receive a residency clause in any contract, it can be taken away in the next contract.
Yes, six work days. Because for the calendar has work this way for the 7 dogs, 13 periods. And you do have two days off for the 7-day calendar week. I’m for the four ten hour day with 3 off. I think it will help.
As for salary, yes it could be better. It appears to be better than NYPD from what is stated on their website for recruitment. A friend of mine from the private sector was astonished that as a salaried employee, I was able to get overtime pay. She works as many hours as I do and does not get the overtime pay or as comp. As for buying guns, uniforms etc. and not being supplied by our city while other’s do. If you do the math, with the allowance over a twenty-year period, I’ll get my own supplies.
Manpower is screwed, FOP claims to take in dues from around 11k, Payroll says it only cuts 9500K for the dept. The annual CPD report touts almost 13500K. No one knows the real number.
I was told we eat almost 70% of the city budget to operate. Do we generate much revenue? Impounds, parkers? Don’t the Feds give some operational money for city police departments?

9/28/2006 04:52:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey starks wears a bluetooth they are the bomb anyone who doesent wear one wont get promoted.

9/28/2006 08:02:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've only been on this job for 12 years. Without a doubt the FTO is an intregal influence on the type of policeman you will be.
We worked midnights in a slow district on the Northside. Les was not an offical FTO but they were so short of FTO's he got thrown in the barrel with me. My first night He took me to see my first Pumpkin head. Then there was the time we onviewed a traffic accident. He wasnt going to let me do too much yet, so he got the Drivers license from the Drivers. Unit 1 was a young asian kid and Unit two, which had been rear ended was driven by an old lady. He went and retrived the license's. When he got back to the car he cursed and said the old lady gave him her sons Drivers license by mistake, would I go give it back and get hers. So I trudge out of the car, freezing my ass off, and knock on the window of the old ladies car. When she rolls down the window I tell her, "Excuse me maam but we need your license not your sons." As she turned she said in a deep voice, "That is mine." As I turned back to the car I saw Les laughing his ass off, I just got to meet my first gump! Les taught me to keep my eyes open. He made sure I experienced many different situations; Domstics, Traffic, pinches, even the mundane stuff like bus checks and parkers.
The most important thing he taught was to have a sense of humor and not take yourself so seriously as to believe you were above the people you came into contact with, even though you needed to take control.
I paid attention to the way other coppers did thier job and emulated the ones whose style I respected.
The temperment of Curt Troogstad in high stress situations. Don's teaching the importance of writting good paper in case you go to court.
Thank You - Les (My 1st night was spent at OPS, thanks for getting me through that.)-Curt (enjoy retirement) & Don (Breakfast at Jack's? Call me!)
FM

9/28/2006 08:07:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The most important part of this job is the ability to communicate. Quelling certain situations before they go haywire. You never see a 10+ year copper filling out a TRR or getting clocked in the puss for no reason (except the usual broad with something to prove). YES certain situations are a no-win situation, but most are not. The ability to "talk someone down" is a valuable tool that MUST be in the cirriculum of FTO's. It's not that BS verbal Judo. Its Talking, real talking to someone who need sto be talked too.

9/28/2006 08:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Okay 08:25 you pussy. I have over ten years on and I still do TRR's. I go out and make arrests. In making arrests people run and some of them when you catch them don't want to go back to prison so they fight you. Hence the completion of a TRR. If I took your lead I would sit in the car and tell my partner "ten years ago I would have chased him but now it's not worth it." I hate these "old" timers who have never done anything in their careers tell the new guys their war stories. You probably have been waiting to get your 10 years so you could run out to get that second bar. How bout you wai to get a star before you tell us how an old timer would do it.

9/28/2006 10:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is amazing because only on this job would people actually rip on you for having a college degree.

I can’t even imagine having Chicago Public Skool graduates joining the CPD. Let’s face it; the Chicago public schools have been dumbing down people every year. We might as well grab a wagon and pick up the idiots hanging out on Roosevelt from Cali to Cicero and swear them in.

Hurray for stupidity!! Here’s a thought, instead of buying a chromed out $20,000 Harley, go get a fu*king education or save for your child’s future and end the cycle of mediocrity.

9/29/2006 12:48:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

kwas9811 said...
Sure this job is a hard sell. Work six days off two. Simple math tells you it's not a 40 hour work week. We basically work 8 hours a week overtime without getting paid.

genius, we work 6 days in a row but never ever 6 days a week. count the days you work any and every week from sunday to saturday. you will always count 5. always always always. we work 6 in a row over 2 different weeks but still only 5 in any one week. so no overtime. im sorry to tell you. although i do feel you have the smarts to be meritoriously promoted one day.

9/29/2006 01:08:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

okay, im also getting tired of seeing all these veterans officers whining about the pups getting on the tact team. every district i have seen, no vets want to be on the tact team because they move around and have to meet workloads and such. so who gets the spot? the pups of course. any vet could put in for tact and probably get it. but instead doesnt and then bitches about those who do get on the team.

problem #100-too much whining about what "I" dont have and the other pup does. did so and so make LT ahead of me? damn he/she sucks, I should be LT. Come on, worry about 2 things, your ass and your partner's. Thats the end of the list. Til you get promoted, then its everyone's ass but your own.

9/29/2006 01:21:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Okay 08:25 you pussy. I have over ten years on and I still do TRR's. I go out and make arrests
9/28/2006 10:25:22 PM

Are you getting batteres by your offender 3-4 times ayear too?? that was my point, the aftermath of the TRR and hitting the medical because your mouth got you in trouble and you needed someone else to bail you out. Sorry my pooint wasn't clearer.

9/29/2006 07:54:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

NICE! The same Patricia Hill that organized and led the protest march a few weeks back at Federal Plaza...you know, the one against the POLICE and Police brutality! Unreal.........

9/29/2006 10:22:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

9/29/2006 11:30:44 PM

You are an arrogant idiot. Obviously in your world you are a great cop. Get in line with every other self proclaimed "great copper" you'll be in good company. you-sos-most broads-tru and every gangbanger copper in 014. My Mistake

9/30/2006 07:35:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HEY 9/29/2006 11:30:44 PM,

The fact that TRR's are "equated" with that by the "Not a Pussy" poster is because they are used 80% of the time for BS. the fact that TRR's exist is an admition that PO's don't know how to write paper accounting for their actions. They have to be spoon-fed the correct answers. Check this box, check that box. The "battery on a PO" charge is bastardized almost as much as "the drop case". Fighting is not a problem, neither is putting your hands on someone if you can justify your actions. TRR's are a tool for the ignorant with inability to define the escalation process leading them into the use of "defense or control tactics".
If you have to take a elbow or a sock in the puss, then account for your actions in responding. Also, as my fto told me. "ot everything is a battery to a PO. The Broads have ruined the battery to PO charge."
So keep going out there and crying about some asshole putting his hands on you. The response and counteraction is that HE/SHE goes to jail. Serious battery is different, but ruing it because some asshole pushed you??? P L E A S E. Thats stupid shit. Leave that for the chicks.

9/30/2006 10:52:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ya that's right, leave that to the "broads" and we'll leave the whining and crying to you bunch of bitches. just remember boys a "broad" on this job is always better then a little "bitch".

9/30/2006 09:25:00 PM  

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