Thursday, January 31, 2008

Dana Starks

Today, 31 January 2008, is Dana Starks last day on the CPD. According to the AdminFax, cake and coffee will be served at 1100 hours in the multipurpose room.

We're not going to wax eloquent on his career or repeat stories we've heard both praising and blasting the man. We're sure the comments section has covered that pretty thoroughly.

He wasn't Cline's choice for First Deputy and Cline demonstrated his displeasure by stripping his office of all meaningful power soon after the appointment. Sneed took up the slack after Cline was forced out by spending days at a time ripping Starks during the search for a new superintendent, pretty much ensuring Starks was never a serious contender.

But we do owe him a small debt of gratitude that J-Fed would be wise to pick up on that might change Department-wide operations. Starks proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that Headquarters is still overstaffed beyond belief. Even after Cline ordered "massive" reductions in "non-essential" personnel to cover the Districts after TRU was expanded not once, but twice, Dana was still able to restart Operation Closed Market. OCM as it's called, requires that all remaining "non-essential" personnel spend 20% of their time on the streets.

Has anyone noticed any reduction in the quantity of BS paper coming out of HQ? If anything, it's increased in the past year to even higher planes of insanity. If HQ can still increase it's output of useless directives, faxes, and miscellaneous paperwork even while allegedly 20% shorthanded, then another housecleaning is in order - say somewhere on the order of 50% reductions.

If anything, it would increase the amount of automation and decrease the amount of useless statistic gathering.

Labels:

64 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

CYA YA ASS DONT GO LEAPING BUILDINGS IN A SINGLE BOUND HUMMINA HUMMINA HOOBIDA HOOBIDA DIBBIDY DOO DAH DAY and of course SHAMMA LAMA DING DONG


sayings overheard from Dana V

1/30/2008 11:48:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not going to say Starks was good or bad, let each make his own judgment on that one. But I do agree with you SCC about Sneed carrying the water for Cline.

A short time ago in her column was an unflattering picture of Starks with one of his ribbon bars askew, making him look less than professional.

That picture was no fluke. It was deliberately chosen to put him in the worst light possible.

But what would you expect from the Scum Times?

1/31/2008 12:03:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

SCC you sound like a Democrat. Demand everything from your department, but don't inconvenience me.

30% of the cubicals at 35th St are empty. 30% are filled with Civilians under mystery contracts from city hall. No one knows their job discription, their pay or how to oversee em. The rest are filled with POs trying to perform a necessary function in exchange for ridicule and resentment from fellow POs and the Brass.

OCM is a waste of time and everyone knows it. Those assigned disappear after roll call or sit in a school parking lot reading the paper. Meanwhile their work at 35th St backs up because no one picks up the slack while they are gone. We all need more bodies, but constatntly bashing on the same groups because of where they hang their coat tells me you have not grasped the extent of the work produced there.

13,000 sworn plus a few thousand civilians equals mountains of paperwork. Whether its a police dept, a factory or a school, someone has to push that paper.

Are you telling me you want lower wage civilians doing all of it. I am sure the city would agree. It's that short sighted willingness to give our jobs away that has doomed a Union that once forged collective bargaining agreements with the city to now be a mere fraternal orginization.

1/31/2008 12:11:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Say what you will he took all the bullets that Cline never did or could.

1/31/2008 12:23:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There is so much non-essential personnel at HEADquarters that you could put together another battalion with the likes of sgts beingfelt and cleavage led by the wonderless "welcomebakCotter".

Measure their waist JP....nothin' under 42".

1/31/2008 12:24:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OCM is bullshit the district secretary from o22 still spends all day in the station she should go to 007 or 011 and answer radio calls. What bs.

1/31/2008 12:40:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dana Starks was a hell of alot better than Fat Phil in this humble Caucasian's opinion.

1/31/2008 01:22:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do the morons (and that is being nice) even realize that they are laughed at and ridiculed, justly, as they sit parked on corners doing absolutely nothing, in their SS day off group?, Using marked squad cars, when we do not even have pool cars available for the downed cars? This is beyond ridiculous. All closed market did is prove that there are quite a few non-essential personnel being housed at 35th st.

1/31/2008 02:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

For all of your haters out there.

One thing is for sure, Dana Starks made sure he is getting paid.

Big fat Police pension in the 6 figure range, which he is able to collect now.

And now another made up position with the city making 6 figures, just for him to step aside for J-Fed!

I'd say the man is NOT stupid for getting paid and in fact I wished it was me!

Starks ain't as stupid as he looked on T.V.!

He walks around HQ these days with a big fat smile on his face like he won the lottery!

Good luck, "MO MONEY"!

1/31/2008 06:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

1/31/2008 08:40:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

do not blame the officers who work ocm or any other Officers, blame the BOSSES and the ELECTED OFFENDERS they are the policy makers

short manpower...
cannot get time due...
do not blame ANY Police Officers...

the blame is with the people who DICTATE policy... NOT YOUR FELLOW P.O.

IF YOU REMEMBER THE ABOVE
fact MAYBE-JUST-MAYBE
POLICY WILL CHANGE

1/31/2008 09:23:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

YOU GUYS ACT LIKE HE DEAD.

HE'S GOT A FINE WAY YOUNGER WOMAN, A FAT PENSION AND HE HAS A NEW NO-SHOW JOB WITH THE CITY MAKING MORE CASH.

OH I FEEL SAD HE IS LEAVING...

THE ONLY THING HE IS MISSING IS ALL THOSE FINE NEW RECRUIT FROM THE POLICE ACADEMY...

1/31/2008 09:39:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

30% of the cubicals at 35th St are empty.

Thoes cubicles are empty even when someone's sitting there.

1/31/2008 09:53:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Dana Starks was a hell of alot better than Fat Phil in this humble Caucasian's opinion.

1/31/2008 01:22:00 AM

Didn't Starks leak and provide info to Meeks regarding that incident with the traffic stop? Isn't that why Cline cut his balls off?

If so Starks is no "stand up " guy.

1/31/2008 09:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Phat Phil cant get a regular gig in the real world because of the big fucking mess he made in regards to merit promotions and attempting to cover up the scandals involving clout units and people with clout.

1/31/2008 09:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Deputy doodah deputy ay my oh my what a wonderful day plenty of sunshine plenty of pay deputy hibbity jibbity going away.

1/31/2008 10:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This honkey agrees 1:22a.m. Dana was good guy compared Wiford Brimley Cline. All Cline did was deplete the streets of P.O.s by creating spots for his buddies while depleting our pension by making a shit load of unnecessary exempts. King of Clout Babies Cline never had a bad day on this job and never had a clue how to run this police department.

1/31/2008 10:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Enjoy your pension, Dana. I hope I get one......

1/31/2008 10:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First of all I'd like to say Congrats Dana!! I worked for the man for about 5 years and he was by far one of the better bosses that I have ever worked for on this job!! He would work every night in 011 and be out there with us..."His guys" and back us up on jobs etc...Not once did I ever hear him talk any racial shit...not once...He was a very personable man...always had time to listen to you and was very soft spoken. I enjoyed working for the man and he's a hell of a lot better than some of the bosses we have on this job who scream and rnat/rave...about bullshit..Dana never got into bullshit as far as being worried about the DOC or event #'s or missions...as he would say many times..."It is what it is". Dana,again Congrats and good luck in your new endeavor. Don't forget your guys in Filmore..We got your back...just like you had ours!! Sincerely, A White officer.

1/31/2008 10:27:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Starks is the one who pushed the swiping in and out per orders from City Hall. He now has that other great city job awaiting. It was payback to the mayor.

1/31/2008 10:37:00 AM  
Blogger Ray said...

nothing matters now. enjoy your retirement Dana.

1/31/2008 11:06:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Every time they print a memo or new G.O we loose another forest.

1/31/2008 11:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think in a few months we're really gonna miss Dana.

1/31/2008 11:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do the morons (and that is being nice) even realize that they are laughed at and ridiculed, justly, as they sit parked on corners doing absolutely nothing, in their SS day off group?, Using marked squad cars, when we do not even have pool cars available for the downed cars? This is beyond ridiculous. All closed market did is prove that there are quite a few non-essential personnel being housed at 35th st.

Do you really think they care what you think or say?

1/31/2008 12:17:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
There is so much non-essential personnel at HEADquarters that you could put together another battalion with the likes of sgts beingfelt and cleavage led by the wonderless "welcomebakCotter".

Measure their waist JP....nothin' under 42".

1/31/2008 12:24:00 AM

Hope he calls exempts in and looks close at our leaders and makes them take a drug alcohol test! He would enjoy the results!

1/31/2008 12:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have no problem with "non-essential" personnel, if they would just properly identify themselves.

All personnel working a desk job in headquarters should wear red CPD shirts instead of the blue shirts worn on the street. I also think that the word "non-essential" should be written in white letters across the shoulders.

If you are a non-essential officer, don't hide it. Be proud of your status.

1/31/2008 12:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Leave Britney and Maria Maher alone!

1/31/2008 12:48:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

see ya, don't let the door hitz ya on the way out, you stroke. what an asshat boss and a terrible public speaker. so much bullshit rolled out of that mans mouth, hip waders wouldn't have helped.

1/31/2008 01:44:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jody will make Dana V. look like a genius.

1/31/2008 03:04:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Talking about Starks' pension. What about the the guy over at the Chicago Police Memorial?

1/31/2008 03:40:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tru tat

1/31/2008 03:45:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

""Do the morons (and that is being nice) even realize that they are laughed at and ridiculed, justly, as they sit parked on corners doing absolutely nothing, in their SS day off group?, Using marked squad cars, when we do not even have pool cars available for the downed cars? This is beyond ridiculous. ""

Yes, us officers realize we are laughed at and ridiculed as we sit around all day and do absolutely nothing using up marked squad cars.
But you know what? We didn't make the rules, we are just following them. So why don't go ask your moronic exempt friends why they came up with such a program, you moron!

1/31/2008 03:50:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was at Dana's party today as was Jodi Weis...He stayed for a while and then disappeared...Everyone was going crazy looking for him...the place was in a panic....It seems that the new Sup walked to Starbucks a block or so away by himself and didn't tell anyone...He is not supposed to be alone and he didn't realize that ...He had everyone in a huge panic!!

1/31/2008 04:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Are you telling me you want lower wage civilians doing all of it.



NO yet how about officers who have payed their due's and worked a dist for years' I call it seniority. the only fair way because everyone gets it.

1/31/2008 04:37:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good luck Dana. I believe you tried your best, but the beast was just toooo big.

Enjoy that pension and that new job.

1/31/2008 06:30:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I will agree that OCM is not a good idea. The PO's assigned to work the 6th, 11th, and 15th districts Monday through Friday are not being used wisely.

The other PO's assigned to work their home districts are also not being used properly as well.

OCM should be scrapped or changed to utilize this additional manpower wisely and productivly.

1/31/2008 06:36:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

022 isn't the only District who have do nothing Secretaries/Asst. Sec.
If you are injured, why go light duty?? you work inside anyway!?

only becuase they don't want to do OCM!
Reasoning, most of them have never worked the street anyway (PPO status doesn't count).

1/31/2008 06:40:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My few times dealing with Dana on the job was just fine, and he always left you with a "god bless you and your family"..
BUT if the rumors are true he is the dumbest man on the planet, getting married at his age with all that money!!!! can you say, "pre nup?" don't worry sir, she is different, good luck
and god bless you and your new bride.

1/31/2008 07:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Do the morons (and that is being nice) even realize that they are laughed at and ridiculed, justly, as they sit parked on corners doing absolutely nothing, in their SS day off group?, Using marked squad cars, when we do not even have pool cars available for the downed cars? This is beyond ridiculous. All closed market did is prove that there are quite a few non-essential personnel being housed at 35th st.

REPLY: I'M STILL GETTING PAID THE SAME....DOOHHH!

Anonymous said...

All personnel working a desk job in headquarters should wear red CPD shirts instead of the blue shirts worn on the street. I also think that the word "non-essential" should be written in white letters across the shoulders.

If you are a non-essential officer, don't hide it. Be proud of your status.

REPLY: KEEP PATTING YOURSELF ON THE BACK NUMBNUTS, WE DIDN'T ASK TO BE THERE AND WE STILL GET PAID THE SAME.....HA!

1/31/2008 07:11:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Starks, you are a great boss and you led this city to new heights, no matter what these jealous morons say. I am honored to have served time with you on the greatest department in the world and more specifically, the 11th District, the best District. I have 22 years left to deal with these morons, but I am looking ahead. I'm sure that all of the Exempt bosses are humbled at the fact that no matter how much they fucked over you during Clines time as he egged them on, including your friends like Charlie Williams, you did not do one thing to fuck over them. You allowed them their manhood/womanhood and dignity. I would have personally fucked them over, but hey, that is why I am still a P.O.

You deserve the great life that you have ahead. I was just pretty fucking pissed to watch Mike Boyce, John Risley and Hiram Grau (especially Mike Boyce, I heard him call you a dumb fuck in front of half of Cline's staff at his retirement party) talk about you like you were a true friend. They were the main ring leaders fucking you over and Grau bragged about how he told you to your face to fuck off. By the way, he is not Mexian.

On behalf of my LAPA brothers and sisters, congratulations.

1/31/2008 07:14:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Starks is the poster boy for GED. What do-nothing, $$ city position will he have now? A management position with no college, let alone a hs diploma? Hopefully other GED's were allowed to apply for the position, you know, just to make it look "legit." Sneed, are you going to sniff this one out? This city and the politics suck.

1/31/2008 07:40:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll get Jody his coffee.

1/31/2008 07:40:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I dont think dana starks was that bad. i think he would have been better then phil boy and i think he would have also been better then the new J-FED 1000 series of robots coming from NASA . oh well just my thoughts on this.

1/31/2008 08:24:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

1/31/2008 04:06:00 PM

Your'e joking right? LOL!

1/31/2008 08:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just talked to a buddy and he says that the new Supt, was seen with 4 unamed people at a local steak house at the corner of Illinois and Franklin. The source stated the new Supt was only drinking water and was being driven around in a city car by a M/2 P.O.

1/31/2008 09:15:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just talked to a buddy and he says that the new Supt, was seen with 4 unamed people at a local steak house at the corner of Illinois and Franklin. The source stated the new Supt was only drinking water and was being driven around in a city car by a M/2 P.O.

1/31/2008 09:15:00 PM

WHO GIVES A SHIT!!!

1/31/2008 10:41:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I just talked to a buddy and he says that the new Supt, was seen with 4 unamed people at a local steak house at the corner of Illinois and Franklin. The source stated the new Supt was only drinking water and was being driven around in a city car by a M/2 P.O.

1/31/2008 09:15:00 PM

WHO GIVES A SHIT!!!

1/31/2008 10:41:00 PM

Wow your so observant! But like the other reply who cares?

1/31/2008 11:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm white and worked for Dana in 011. I'm speaking for a lot of white guys...he was a great boss.
Did he change? Don't know...but he treated a lot of us great in the late 90's.
Good luck boss man!!

1/31/2008 11:22:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've listened to the rumors, heard the accusations and still have never personally observed Starks to be anything other than a polite gentleman who always acknowledged a blue shirt ( can't say the same, can you Risley/Grau/Maher/etc...)!

Say what you will about his education level or the number of females assigned to his office ( no more than any other "boss" ), I thought he was a pretty decent man who really looked out for the street copper. What else could you ask for in a Boss?

I know for a fact that he was one of the very few Bosses that did not read this blog on a daily basis, and never once mentioned any of the BS talked on here about him. I don't think there are many exempts who can say the same!

I'm sure the new Hatchet Man will work out much better. Wait...no, probably not...

1/31/2008 11:49:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I will once again say Dana was great with my father's illness. I cried about my father's situation on the phone with Dana. Dana was a class act. Give the man his just praise!!! DANA IS A CLASS ACT!!! P.S. I am, an M/2. Good luck Boss!!!

2/01/2008 12:03:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

fuck lapa

2/01/2008 12:17:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do the morons (and that is being nice) even realize that they are laughed at and ridiculed, justly, as they sit parked on corners doing absolutely nothing, in their SS day off group?, Using marked squad cars, when we do not even have pool cars available for the downed cars? This is beyond ridiculous. All closed market did is prove that there are quite a few non-essential personnel being housed at 35th st.

1/31/2008 02:07:00 AM

I'm laughed at and ridiculed by the same people who tell eveyon eon this board that they aren't doing anything and only answering their calls? That really hurts knowing you feel that way. I'm non-essential? So are you going to post about how you call me looking for something at headquarters and no one answers my phone? Crazy, isn't it? By the way, I don't have a problem with OCM and enjoy being out on the road one day a week.

2/01/2008 12:37:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations Deputy Grau!

2/01/2008 12:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was at Dana's party today as was Jodi Weis...He stayed for a while and then disappeared...Everyone was going crazy looking for him...the place was in a panic....It seems that the new Sup walked to Starbucks a block or so away by himself and didn't tell anyone...He is not supposed to be alone and he didn't realize that ...He had everyone in a huge panic!!

1/31/2008 04:06:00 PM

**********************************

It was like the Brady Bunch episode where Bobby and Cindy got lost in the Grand Canyon!

They were out there in numbers yelling around the parking lot shouting "JODY JODY" to no avail!

Thank God he didn't wander over to a project like some of our other Out of towners that end up found dead in a stairwell!

We was scared for ya Jodester!

I think Mike and Carol will have to ground him!

2/01/2008 01:04:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good luck Dana you are a good guy and deserve all you can get from the City.
Signed a male white po

2/01/2008 01:44:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I will once again say Dana was great with my father's illness. I cried about my father's situation on the phone with Dana. Dana was a class act. Give the man his just praise!!! DANA IS A CLASS ACT!!! P.S. I am, an M/2. Good luck Boss!!!

2/01/2008 12:03:00 AM


Why don't you add that your retired sergeant father thought you were a raving lunatic and your step mother had an order of protection put out on you. Your family won't deal with you and you lied and told everyone that Dana was your uncle, and used that lie to control all the bosses you worked for when they tried to dump your ass out of the Academy. Well, looks like your uncle really loves you and all of the threats came true? That is why you are still on midnights!
Ric H.

2/01/2008 08:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good Luck,Dana!

2/01/2008 09:11:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
fuck lapa

2/01/2008 12:17:00 AM

Lapa=illegal clout! ask naverette

2/01/2008 12:36:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Didi you see all the ass kissers standing in line with this jag balls!

I'm glad this piece of shit is gone!

That is all!

2/01/2008 04:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

DENA GA GONE!

2/01/2008 08:41:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bye Bye ray ray.

2/01/2008 10:07:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

paris hair weave 99th & Halsted said...
DENA GA GONE!

2/01/2008 08:41:00 PM

OOPS

Try sayin that one fast!!!
Sounds like a bad word!

2/01/2008 10:42:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

SCC, can you do what you have to do in google so we can find you? It took me over an hour to find you guys and I ended up going through CPD Dispatchers website.

Anyway, I wanted to make sure I had the opportunity to say Starks will be missed, no matter what people say about him and his actions while in charge of the department. This is really a new day. I have some interesting news from people that are actually a part of CPD's transition team. I do understand the importance of accountability, but we are moving toward the era of the police being placed in handcuffs and tasked with doing a descent job. Yes, administrative people will be moved, but people keep forgetting, we are still a department that has an internal stand that needs to be addressed in the most efficient manner possible. We will see a different CPD and unfortunately, I can't say I want to be a part of it. January 15, 2009 is a good day for me. C ya My beat car in 020 looks better everyday.

2/02/2008 10:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Didi you see all the ass kissers standing in line with this jag balls!

I'm glad this piece of shit is gone!

That is all!

2/01/2008 04:25:00 PM

saw it thought they were going to get a hotel room and all do dana!

2/02/2008 03:44:00 PM  

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