FOP Replies

From the Current Updates section:

• On January 2^nd, the Department sent out a fax message, #3080033, which directed Watch Commanders to obtain a “log number” for incidents of weapons discharge, taser incidents, suicides and attempted suicides for persons in custody. In this directive, a reference was made to Department Notice 06-37 which addresses the Automated Complaint System, causing great concern and confusion throughout the Lodge and the Department.

  On January 3^rd, our concerns were presented to the Department who admitted errors in this new directive but who failed to take action to rectify or rescind the directive. On January 4^th the Lodge sent a letter to the Department informing them that based upon their new directive, the Lodge would not permit an officer involved in a shooting to participate in the “round table” process. Within 3 hours after sending this notice to the Department, we received a call from them expressing a desire to discuss a means of resolution to this problem. At that time we were able to work out language that would be temporarily acceptable for the “round table” process. Further discussion resulted in the scheduling of a meeting with the Department on January 7^th at which all of the concerns of the Lodge were addressed.

  Later that day, the Department sent out a fax message #80109 which rescinded the January 2^nd fax, and fax #80110 which contained the language that was acceptable to the Lodge. We would like to stress that the issuance of a log number alone does not initiate a CR# nor is it an allegation of any misconduct. It is merely a tracking system for investigations that the City had initiated, without informing the Lodge.

  We hope this incident further emphasizes the position we have taken forever and that is that the Department needs to get this Lodge involved in the implementation of their policies and procedures prior to rolling them out to their Department Members.

Funny how these "errors" always seem to favor the City, always seem to come out of Stark's' office, and seem designed to appear just as the new guy is taking over thereby generating as much controversy, confusion and ill-will as possible - but that's our inner conspiracy nut talking.