FTO Disaster Drill
The more we think about it and read the comments, we realize once again that the readers probably have it correct:
- This seems to be a blatantly obvious attempt to get as many FTOs to resign in preparation for a "new and improved" FTO test and promotional process by killing the existing program.
Of the six listed districts (004, 006, 008, 010, 024 and 025), one shouldn't even be listed, but they had to list something north. Others are conspicuous by their absence. If they include 010, they need to include 011. If 025 is listed, 015 is a natural companion. How can anyone think that 007 and 009 shouldn't be included if 004 and 006 head the list?
And don't think for a moment that a "POWER" test isn't going to part and parcel of the new FTO program. We'd almost bet the farm on it.
And don't think for a moment that a "POWER" test isn't going to part and parcel of the new FTO program. We'd almost bet the farm on it.
Labels: promotions
posted by SCC at 12:01 AM
49 Comments:
So how do I get a user name to log onto the FOP website? Cant gat into it anymore. Any answers out there?
Last I'd checked; and that was before they blocked it, 006 was leading the city in homicides with 007 one behind and 004 was in third
No offense to the FTOs who deserve the utmost respect, but most of them suck ass. If you are an FTO and telling your recruits to do nothing and lay down because the City sucks, Daleysucks, we don't have a contract, etc... You SUCK. There is only one position on this job that should be doing work right now. FTOs with recruits, officers working as FTOs with recruits, and Detectives working on cases regarding innocent victims and police officers. That's it.
You have to teach these new officers how to work and not be eaten by the animal or show them that they can not be thugs and thiefs on OUR department or they will never learn. You let that new kid be a fucking dog or you make him one because you are, you are dooing a disservice to all of the officers on the department. If you are an FTO that does not ruch (safetly) to every job where another officer is to train that recruit the way they are supposed to react. Fucking quit. It is a shitty job, but a rewarding one. If you only do it for the pay grade, fuck you. It should be the most respected job the department, but it isn't. If everyone (or a majority) took it seriously (that means the City has to take it seriously too) then it would be again. Although I think everyone should take a turn in the ghetto, I also believe everyone should go to a slow district that actually reads the reports handed in and makes the officer accountable for the mistakes. You must know how to do paper on this job in order to survive in court, both civil and criminal. You must work the ghetto to learn the ways to survive on the street and mentally. Good luck to all. I hope this is not another "give them everything then put my kid there ploy by the shitty." God bless and stay safe.
IT HAS SUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suprised 007,009,005,003,015,025 are not in the Districts listed. Must be a budget cutting measure only. Attention goos FTOs: Decline the move. Lose the 1500 per year or make it up in OT at court. Get your spot back next year when they need FTOs again because they start hiring people for the Olymipcs
As of today there are LESS THAN 150 recruits in the academy! Graduation of 40-50 at a time (if we are lucky!) How many FTO's have recruits that are on thier cycles?
During "our" '08 budget crunch, the City's and the Department's stance is: Why shuld we pay them extra if they dont have a job to do?
Anonymous said...
Bea Quello, quit now while you are ahead. You are the dumbest deputy ever
8/29/2008 12:05:00 PM
___________________________________
How can you say that mister ! I may be young and have a short time on the job, but I know she is a good person
She was at my graduation and spoke to me and my husband who is a lawyer. My great uncle Tom Byrne (rtd) told me she was always a hard worker and got her promotion by doing good work for the community.
Lets all back our exempts up already.
Missy
The majority of fto's that I've run across have been the assholes that no regular po wants to work with. The entire system makes no sense. There's no need for this animal. A ppo comes to a district and works relief. It is the responsibility of the watch commander to ensure the ppo is put with as decent a person as possible unless, further down the road, it is learned that the ppo is a moron it which case, who cares who he works with. Dump the whole program and start making these over paid whiteshirts called watch commanders responsible for something.
That, or it is a way for the department to save money during this "budget crisis" this city is having by having a bunch of people leave the FTO program.
who are they gonna get......2 year wounders teaching ppo's.
talk about the blind leading the blind.
this place gets more fucked up every day!
must be the federal model.
Missy, give me a call.
SpankDaddy.
024? Why would they make 024 a training district? Nothing is going on up there to justify making that little stretch paradise a training district. That place reminds me of Mayberry!
I HOPE THE CIVILIANS THAT LIVE IN THIS CITY AND READ THIS BLOG REALIZE WHAT IS BECOMING OF THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT....
Anonymous said...
The majority of fto's that I've run across have been the assholes that no regular po wants to work with. The entire system makes no sense. There's no need for this animal. A ppo comes to a district and works relief. It is the responsibility of the watch commander to ensure the ppo is put with as decent a person as possible unless, further down the road, it is learned that the ppo is a moron it which case, who cares who he works with. Dump the whole program and start making these over paid whiteshirts called watch commanders responsible for something.
8/30/2008 03:37:00 AM
Watch commanders are just as guilty. How many assign recruits to incompetent officers? Assign recruits on the wagon for several periods? Some recruits work the radio room on 2nd watch. Watch commanders treated FTO's very poorly. The result is a critical program that has failed. Recruits suffer. They should conduct a study. How many officers just off probation are now acting FTO's? Department has a study on new performance rating system. Why not study FTO program and recruit training after they graduate? Study their experiences during the18 month probation period? Academy training alone is not enough.
My fellow officers, if you are looking at FTO as the only way to enhance your base pay it says one thing, YOU HAVE NO CLOUT!
WE the unclouted must STOP volunteering for anything!
Do not sign up for the Physical Fitness test, do not take the carbine test, do not sign up to be an FTO or ET or anything else.
This would be the best, most effective job action we could perform.
Give this a year and the Dept would have to come, hat in hand and actually offer incentives for these EXTRA duties.
We, the staff are more united now than I've ever seen, and it's great, but we need to act smarter and move to another phase, sign up for NOTHING!
I think I've got it: the FTO program will in the future be open to retired FBI agents so officers can be molded in the model of that great FBI agent Jody Weis. He's hijacking the FTO program to give side jobs to his FBI buddies! He's not so dumb, get some of that D2A pay for the ex-feds! Yeah, that's it, that's the ticket.
What a fucking joke! This asshole Weis has been a fucking disaster since Day 1. And it will only get worse.
missy:
Good for u for speaking your mind, EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T HAVE A FRICKIN' CLUE ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING! There are only a handful to maybe a dozen exempts in the whole department who are pro-blue shirt. Quello is not one of them. If you are not there to make her shine, you will be made expedient.
My case and point is made about the exempts in the fuckin' disaster of a decision they made with FTO's. Do they care about the good FTO's? Nope! Will this be the end of the department? Hell, no! However, it sure leaves a shitty taste in the mouth after we are fed the garbage that things will improve for the copper. They are so full of crap with their doublespeak.
A power test for a job that no one wants. Those that apply are seeking the money not to train recruits. Power test would eliminate the unqualified applicants. Then power test the next groups to be promoted, detectives and LTS. That would be inetresting.
The city saves money every time they use "actors", getting paid out of grade. Out of Grade P.O.s acting as FTOs or Desk Sergeants get paid that rate, but the city does not pay the pension up-grade. The same is true with other ranks.
We should be given the option of having the city contribute and making our upgraded pension contribtion which would be great if you retire in a few years. If not, you could reclaim it at the end of the year as many of the FTOs will do if they give up the position.
Sat safe, and don't let the city off cheap.
In response to:
The majority of fto's that I've run across have been the assholes that no regular po wants to work with. The entire system makes no sense. There's no need for this animal. A ppo comes to a district and works relief. It is the responsibility of the watch commander to ensure the ppo is put with as decent a person as possible unless, further down the road, it is learned that the ppo is a moron it which case, who cares who he works with. Dump the whole program and start making these over paid whiteshirts called watch commanders responsible for something.
Great an asshole like yourself should train all the PPOs since you are the best (at what I don't know) and have all the answers.
How did the CPD catch a great mind like yourself? Wow, the CPD is so fortunate.
It is really sad and dangerous when i look at our sheets. We have people that are one day off thier ppo status working with recruits. It's crazy. You roll up to thier calls and they have absolutely no clue what to do. I don't blame them at all, they should not be put in that position. I try to ride on as many as thier calls that i can, and i encourage the rest of you guys to do so also. They need the help. They might not express it, or thank you for it, but down the line when you saved thier asses they might realize it and appreciate it.
The fto program is doa! Sorry but that is just what has happened! From an ungratful mayor to the 50 sheep to the exempt staff it is gone! How about D-3 pay like all the valets make acting as a LOL bodygurads, and that 2 on 3 off schedule now your talking! about time to give the working copper that is training these skullsfull of mush something in return! How about it boss??
Dont do a fucking thing until we get a contract.
Sorry to say but dump all the FTO's we have now and start from scratch. The majority of them dont know their ass from a hole in the ground(i.e. the fto who didn't know how to do a warrant arrest) and only do it for the added pay and overtime. Let's face it SCC, we all have stories of those FTO's who should've never even been on this job let alone training recruits. So dump them and start over. Furthermore, how in the hell could 003, 007, 009, 011 and 015 not be on that list and 024 is? One beat in the other districts is busier than the entire 024th district, is it because all the little clout babies in 024 are worried their seniority might not go up if it's no longer a training district?
"who are they gonna get......2 year wounders teaching ppo's.
talk about the blind leading the blind"
That's what they've been doing since 1994. Ask around your rollcall, who actually had a full fledged FTO during their training cycle. If I had a dollar for every P.O. w/a year& a day job on paired up w/a recruit right out of the box, I could have retired years ago. Training on this Department is a bonafide joke. Go watch another Streaming Video, Sickening..
Anonymous said...
who are they gonna get......2 year wounders teaching ppo's.
talk about the blind leading the blind.
this place gets more fucked up every day!
must be the federal model.
8/30/2008 04:40:00 AM
This is the status quo today. Ask any PPO who they are working with while on probation? Ask any officer who just finished probation. Watch commanders defy logic and common sense and continue to assign brand new officers as acting FTO's.
8/30/2008 04:40:00 AM
Maybe they can get the retards on 007 midnights to teach them. You have king Asshat on 31 (who is to cool and to bi polar to talk to you), you have enough crazy broads on the watch, (just listen to the radio especially on the early cars), you have another guy who sounds like he is completely lost working another early car. What a shame that district has become. Look at some of the 2 year morons they have on the tact team. They could all be the new FTO's.
yep i had a ppo about 2 days after my probation ended. i apologized to the ppo...telling the ppo i had no idea what they were thinking. yet now..i do have a bit more time on the job and have had to do a current arrest with an FTO (a year from retirement) who had no clue what he was doing, he asked me questions. i wonder if that ppo was better with me just off probation than that stupid fto. either way its not ideal for these new guys.
FTOs will be gone in a short time. Rank of corporal to be initiated. Corporal will train new recruits, and have some management tasks assigned to them when sergeant not available. You will have to be corporal before you can make sergeant. No guessing how long to get either position, or if there will be "corporal" merit selection, but guessing that you will need to have some kind of time on job to get position.
Hey dumbass..they chose Districts like 024, and south side districts because most northside FTOs will relinquish stripes to stay at current unit. There is no quick means to get to the 024th District, hence more FTOs would have to go south, then you get more FTOs to say "Fuck It" When you give up your FTO status, you will be given a check for what you have paid into the D2 pension, and then YOUR PENSION WILL NOT REFLECT YOUR FTO STATUS!!!!! if you retire within the next years after.
If you are going to retire within next year, and you are FTO, then you should retire, and have pension of FTO.
City of Chicago saves more money by making FTOs quit their position...that is the bottom line. Do what makes you happy, and good luck.
You are not kidding about some of these FTO's. We had one in 004 (BC) that had a DOA of a baby and wanted to know if she could dupe it to CFD!!!!! Unbelievable! Thank God she went to 021.
I don't get on here very often, so I was very surprised to learn about this alleged change with the FTO assignments, as reported on the blog. I say alleged, because I have not seen anything "official" on the subject at hand.
Attending an FTO Lieutenants meeting earlier this year, this alleged change would certainly contradict the very positive developments that were discussed and presented at that meeting.
If what is being said on here is accurate, it's a damn shame. Communication amongst police management is totally unacceptable if I have to learn of a policy change within my role from one of my sergeants who got it from the blog.
Is the FTO program in Chicago a mess? Of course it is. It has been in an unacceptable state for over 25 years. Can it be fixed? Of course it can. All it takes is a SERIOUS and CONSISTENT commitment from management. It can't be changed effectively though, when most of the management of this Department have over time, demonstrated little or no respect for the program or its integrity (like the CAPS program). I would suggest that the lack of respect by line officers of the program as a whole, mirrors what they see from management. We can not talk the talk and not walk the walk. Doing so negates our credibility and effectiveness.
FTO's are a core component (if not THE core component) to the future development of this Department. Those that do not truly understand and believe this need to get off the bus now. Yes, we currently have some very undesirable FTO's among us. Let's not forget that we also have some exceptionally good FTO's. The rest fall into the range of the mediocre with some better than others.
I was very fortunate to have been trained by one of the exceptional FTO's of this Department when I started here in 1985 (Patrol Specialist Louis Caesar - 010, now a retired Sergeant). I could never thank that man enough for what he gave of himself so unselfishly in my and many other PPO's initial development as Chicago Police Officers.
Unfortunately, there have been many police officers who received their field training from the lower end of the mediocre to the blatantly unacceptable. I will suggest that some of those PPO's were able to rise from that poor field training experience to become good and great police officers. Unfortunately, there are many others who have not. Surely, I do not have to spell out the consequences we have suffered and continue to suffer as an organization because of this chronic deficiency.
The history of the FTO program in Chicago during my time line has unfortunately been the "trail of broken promises." I am sure that well meaning people have come forward over the years, attempting to improve the program. I am not going to stand in judgment in this post on which policy changes over time have effected positive change and which have not. Each can rationalize that on their own. What I will say is any positive changes that may have occurred were never able to be sustained or built upon.
"The trail of broken promises" that I refer to is what was promised to the FTO's and never delivered on by management. Forget about more money - that is not what I am talking about... right now. FTO's have been promised organizational support, operational consistency in field training application, continuing professional development through training and networking, and other much needed mechanisms to maintain and enhance their core competencies and performance capabilities.
Time and time again, management held meetings with FTO's, asking what they needed or wanted to make the FTO program better. Time and time again, FTO's would tell us what they needed, they wanted, and what changes they would like to see. Time and time again, management all but ignored them.
As police managers, we failed them.
The general perception of many FTO's is that nothing would ever change... they felt that they weren't taken seriously... that it was all lip service and no action. For many, the script of "What can we do to help you?" had lost its meaning. They simply became empty words that only added to the pain of traveling the "trail of broken promises."
During my timeline as an FTO Lieutenant (2008), I have seen significant movement within the Department to closely examine the performance and competency of all FTO's in the city. Significant actions steps were finally being taken to examine and address major deficiencies in performance and competency. I can smell horse manure a mile away, but based on what I heard (from the meeting) and what I saw (action steps), I thought we were headed in the right direction toward a significant breakthrough. If what is being said on the blog is accurate, I believe I may have experienced a major communication disconnect.
I have more thoughts on this subject, but have exceeded maximum bandwidth for one post. If there is an interest, I can write more later. Understand me clearly, I am not here to complain about what was or what is. I am here to work with others to be part of a solution... one that is righteous, just, meaningful and sustaining. Open and honest communication in a constructive dialoge is a critical first step.
A final thought... I know FTO's are undervalued and go mostly unappreciated. If you had a positive Field Training experience, please take a moment to write a quick line. Call that FTO out by name and thank them. It doesn't matter if you have 2 years or 30 years on the job. Thank them, even if you do it anonymously. We need to honor and respect the ones that have done us right. To those FTO's (past and present) that have worked hard to do the right thing, to truly make an effort to improve this organization, PPO by PPO, you have my admiration and respect. Thank you for a job well done. Stay the course and keep the faith.
Work safe!
John Andrews
Lieutenant
Fillmore Rangers
john.andrews@chicagopolice.org
Dear Superintendent Weis,
Kindly look up FUBAR and see what it means.
That is what you have done to the Chicago Police Department. You do not have my confidence or loyalty nor do you have the confidence or loyalty of the vast majority of the Chicago Police Department.
Please hurry and leave town so the rebuilding process can begin. You are a miserable failure early in your first year. The rank and file laugh at you, most bosses feel the same.
Please go.
Soon.
A Veteran Police Officer
.
"" Ask any PPO who they are working with while on probation? Ask any officer who just finished probation. Watch commanders defy logic and common sense and continue to assign brand new officers as acting FTO's""
OK, watch commanders defy logic and common sense....
Since the FTO's will all be moving to other districts and the rest will just quit, why don't you raise your hand at roll call and volunteer to work with a PPO???
Anyone with more than about 3 years on says 'F^&& that, I ain't working with no F&&%$in recruit'
So, the kid who has no time on and no room to complain gets the recruit. Kind of like reverse seniority for details. And you know what else? A lot of times it works and the 2 new guys working together actually figure things out and realize they can be the police.
In the mid 80's 007 had some outstanding FTOs:
Gary Dubin RIP
Rich Peitrzak
Jim Ziggy Zigowicz
Tim Koren
To all the PPO'S that I've trained .
Stay safe and keep backing up your fellow officer's on the street !
I will miss all those in 015 and will be in touch if you need anything as for those I've trained and helped along with their police careers I will remember you as my partners and friends!
FTO Joseph Stefanec
015 dist.
P.S. Yeah all you guys and gals in 012 and 017 are missed, wish all a safe and easy shift.
Semper Fi
And you know what else? A lot of times it works and the 2 new guys working together actually figure things out and realize they can be the police.
Not very often! Ask former LT.Byrnes. This job is to dangerous keep in mind we put on a bullet proof vest as our work uniform.
And if the "old timers' on the watch have a grand total of 2-5 years on the job just who are the watch commanders supposed to put all the P.P.O. s with particularly when they only have 3 FTOs on the whole watch. Steady watches by seniority is more fair for the police but is not a good thing for learning.
John Andrews
Lieutenant
Fillmore Rangers
Mr Andrews (Fillmore Ranger) you made your point within the first paragraphs. In the future if you have diarrhea the mouth you may want to know There's a fine line between a confident post and one that makes the reader wince. If you're in any doubt as to which your letter is ask someone to evaluate it for you.
Bus Driver
Retired
That's it, keep on allowing the powers that be to divide and conquer.
Keep on thinking only about yourself.
Keep on being the self centered pricks and pussies some insist on continuing to be.
That's the ticket.
TO: Bus Driver (retired)
Sir:
Thank you for your constructive criticism. Your point is well taken. Perhaps if I were a more accomplished writer, I could communicate with greater clarity in less words.
...a respectful subordinate
In the mid 80's 007 had some outstanding FTOs:
Gary Dubin RIP
Rich Peitrzak
Jim Ziggy Zigowicz
Tim Koren
NOW those were the days!!!!!!!!
LT.JRA??
Did'nt we try this in 1985, and it was a big disaster?.... The FTO program has never been run well, and frankly has over stayed its usefullness... for the last 3 yrs in 011, we have had more recruits trained by reg PO's than by FTO's... so why bother... let the academy do thier thing and throw these kids out there... work with the good the bad and the ugly and learn...the results can't be worse than what we have now and it would eliminate tones of paperwork and useless bribe$$ we have to pay people to work with a ppo....
John, i am sure your hart is in the right place. I cant believe after all that is now going on that you really think that waht you are saying is right.
Hey 11:09P.M., u 4got to mention the other excellent FTO in 007 back then, Eddie Rynne (RIP)! He would actually step up and retrain some poor PPO that got stuck with a dog FTO (and 007 had their share of the dog FTO's also).
"Bus Driver
Retired
8/31/2008 12:19:00 AM"
What's with all this desire for brevity?
The post referred to was just fine.
Maybe you should increase the font size of your browser, if your eyes are strained by reading 'too many words'.
Anonymous said...
In the mid 80's 007 had some outstanding FTOs:
Gary Dubin RIP
Rich Peitrzak
Jim Ziggy Zigowicz
Tim Koren
NOW those were the days!!!!!!!!
LT.JRA??
Did'nt we try this in 1985, and it was a big disaster?.... The FTO program has never been run well, and frankly has over stayed its usefullness... for the last 3 yrs in 011, we have had more recruits trained by reg PO's than by FTO's... so why bother... let the academy do thier thing and throw these kids out there... work with the good the bad and the ugly and learn...the results can't be worse than what we have now and it would eliminate tones of paperwork and useless bribe$$ we have to pay people to work with a ppo....
8/31/2008 07:55:00 AM
Let me add Kenny Thelen, and the famous Kenny Watt! Watt who got screwed over by a female idiot from 008, Y.D. who also brought many cr's on working coppers!
to Miassy--1;21am You must be Aunt Bea herself!
To Joseph Stefanec
Sounds like you are pulling the pin...if so...good luck...may you collect many more pension checks than paychecks!
Sam
So when is 017 going to have another Old Timers get together?
Hitler was a corporal.
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