Updating the Rules
Another example of the "over-regulation" mindset prevalent in Chicago and most large bureaucracies:
Back in 1924, the Chicago Police Department's rule book could fit in the palm of an officer's hand.
Now the rules are compiled in six ring binders -- a 16-inch stack of paper.
"It's a mess," said Rachel Johnston, director of research and development.
For the first time in 40 years, a team of officers and civilian employees is busy cleaning it up.
There seems to be a rule, order, or directive for just about everything. And these don't even touch on the Contracts, of which there are ones for Officers & Detectives, Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captains and AFSCME employees, each of which supersedes the General Orders, and some of which run contrary to each other.
Someone has just guaranteed themselves a job for the next five years.
Someone has just guaranteed themselves a job for the next five years.
Labels: department issues
posted by SCC at 12:32 AM
74 Comments:
I thinned out the GOs 8 yrs ago. I threw them out.
Maybe they can cleanup the two- tier system of discipline while doing this.
The CPD Rules are so ambiguous that nobody knows what is what
What a joke all under the watchful eye of this mayor. What a joke!
you gotta admit, there some (many) stupid rules out there. time to catch up to this century. i.e. having a phone line at home. (there's cell phones these days...) chewing gum or smoking in public??? can't drive a cab? (who'd want to) no heroin use? wtf ...no fair :-)
They even have a rule about the blog.
Masters.
Kudos to R&D for starting work on it. The uniform orders alone are a catastrophe. The problem, of course, is that if everything isn't spelled out, some jerk copper will cry "You can't make me do that, it's not in the orders."
If anything, they should have assign merit sergeants to do it since most of them probably never even had to read the orders in the first place!!
Maybe Deb ("now, I don't like to micro-manage") Kirby can be in charge of this project. She can "green ink" it all over the place - this will take years!
Cleaning Up?
There is still a General Order that says no cell phones. That was from the day of the brick phone or earlier. So dont get cought with one. lol!!!!
They still have one that fits in the palm of your hand, but if your not one of the "clouted" ones you will never see it...Because we all know all the rules don't apply to them so of course their book is smaller, kind of like their balls...
It's about damned time! Keep it simple stupid. A rule for success and simplification. More isn't always better unless it's money for our troubles.
I won't hold my breath but this might be the one idea J-Fed gets right...but then it may not have been his idea.
YEAH,AND WE BETTER ALL GET A COPY OF THE NEW IMPROVED ORDERS!!
Too bad! As screwed up as they were, I was always able to find loopholes and conflicts in regulations and orders and able to get allegations not sustained.
Cleaning up this mess may close a lot of those escape hatches.
SSC, you underestimate the time needed. One month for the person put in charge to determine how many assistants he will need. One year to gather these other highly qualified(read Clout Heavy)minions. One year for the preliminary report which will recommend that the review board be made permanent with a command staff to oversee it since there are always new rules coming down and new contracts being implemented which may be in conflict with one another. Sounds like a lifetime appointment to me.
15 yrs ago, a well meaning old time Capt. decided to ask his roll call to show their drivers license. One guy didn't have his, so the boss said no problem, bring it in tomorrow. About a week later, after the PO called in and took emergency time due, and the capt and PO came back from RDO's, the capt again asked the guy for his DL. After he said he "forgot it", the capt had a sgt run a name check on the PO, and discovered the guy's license was SUSPENDED FOR A YEAR AND A HALF for financial responsibility for a traffic accident.
A CR was gotten, and a separate allegation for driving with a suspended license was added for EVERY DAY he worked as a 99 unit for the last 18 months! We were on rotating shifts then, so only periods when on 2nd watch were included, since any day as a 10-4 unit he said he did not drive.
Long story short, it was discovered during the CR investigation that although a valid DL was required to enter the Academy, there was no order or rule or regulation outside of state law that specifically required a dept member to MAINTAIN a valid DL.
Though the officer, for the most part, dodged a bullet on this CR, he eventually was caught in the crosshairs of an IAD surveillance, driving his personal vehicle. He eventually was fired rather than try to clean up the mess he was in. Not the brightest bulb in the box, I'm afraid. He threw away about 16-17 yrs and a pension!
In short order, a new addendum was added to one of the Dept orders on Traffic that required officers to maintain a alid DL.
Doesn't matter...always been 2 sets of rules and violations.
Retired Lt James Hickey is heading up this project. This is the same guy who wrote the new and improved CPD chase policy.
69K Pension + 80K Post Retirement CLOUT gig.
Nice to have all that CLOUT!
They (LAPA etc..) just want to make the test taking process easier so that CLOUT assholes can pass and be eligible to be promoted meritorious
It seems a lot of g.o's are written after a goof-up is discovered - I'd say half of them are written after the fact.
Is "CHRIS" still being used in the Detective Division? All one has to do is look at this fiasco to see how long it will take to straighten out the general orders.
Once done (figure about 8 years minimum) they will probably be put on an outmoded palm pilot type device and issued to each sworn member at about $4,000 per copy. You will also be required to prove that the use of force paradigm was accessed before any use of force on the street.
masters
Anonymous Anonymous said...
If anything, they should have assign merit sergeants to do it since most of them probably never even had to read the orders in the first place!!
3/14/2010 07:58:00 AM
Ok, this one should win the best response award..
We need a fking Event # ! Please, squad and show me clear.
"For the first time in 40 years, a team of officers and civilian employees is busy cleaning it up."
Here are the problems with that: if any or all of the wondrous 5-year-average-on-the-job 35th Street "think tank" is involved, it's like asking an alley mechanic to perform angioplasty. People who don't know the job shouldn't dictate policy (and that goes for 90% of the supervisors from sergeant up to Supernintendo).
And civilians re-writing CPD "law"? - 'Nuff said.
This way Jodi Weiss' name, and no other, will be on every order issued by this department.
the capt had a sgt run a name check on the PO, and discovered the guy's license was SUSPENDED FOR A YEAR AND A HALF for financial responsibility for a traffic accident.
What an idiot! he deserved to be fired!
"If anything, they should have assign merit sergeants to do it since most of them probably never even had to read the orders in the first place!!"
That statement assumes the Merit Promotions can read the English language.
Retired Sgt
Speaking of writing orders, I was surfing the internet the other day and I ran across the Women’s Tactical Association website which I read that the two founding members claim they currently write and implement policy for the Chicago police department. Being inquisitive, I decided to look up in automated directives what policy they have written and guess what I discovered? They haven’t written shit. As a former member of R & D, there is a two or three letter designation at the end of each official directive; can you take a guess what that is?? It is the initials of the person who wrote the policy and there no record of either of your initials on any official directive. The only time I see either of your names is to sign up for those bullshit seminars held at headquarters. You should both change your experience to secretary because that is what your real job title entails. If I am incorrect and you did write department policy, please post the number of the directive and let me know, via this blog, what order that was. Just because you work for the superintendents policy group does not necessarily mean you write and implement policy. Exaggerating your experience is unethical, wrong, and you should remove that from your website as what job task you are currently doing for the department.
you gotta admit, there some (many) stupid rules out there. time to catch up to this century. i.e. having a phone line at home. (there's cell phones these days...)
********************
********************
Maybe you should read the General Orders once in awhile, there is NO SUCH order that states taht you have to have a land line phone at home. I'll buy you lunch for a week if you find that one.
Why doesn't someone clean up & clean out 35th & Michigan?!
If anything, they should have assign merit sergeants to do it since most of them probably never even had to read the orders in the first place!!
3/14/2010 07:58:00 AM
Don't forget to add those who get special study sessions with the test experts. GFY!
two rules on this job, the 1st and the 16th, that's when the eagle shits--- when these bosses call you in and ask you why your activity is in the gutter tell them that their is a parking lot full of empty squad cars and you need to plant your ass in one of them and start practicing what you preach--- if all the captains and lieutenants start writing movers everyday we can make the index--- OPERATION SANDBAG, go out there and get them movers when you have been without a contract for three years....
Saw the transfer order month back. All clout.
There's even an order on what to do in case of a nuclear detonation....If anyone survived, who would stick around?
CAN I GET INTO THE UNIT TO CLEAN THEM UP?
SHOULD TAKE ME ABOUT 5 OR 6 YEARS, ABOUT THE TIME I CAN RETIRE.
DO I GET A TAKE HOME CAR WITH THAT AND S/S DAY OFF GROUP?
. He eventually was fired rather than try to clean up the mess he was in. Not the brightest bulb in the box, I'm afraid. He threw away about 16-17 yrs and a pension!
he was fired for that???
Anonymous said...
15 yrs ago, a well meaning old time Capt. decided .......
Ah Fort Forgotten! Some of the strangest things happened in that place. Only Dinty Moore would ask to see a D/L.
A Fort Forgotten Alumni
Anonymous said...
Maybe they can cleanup the two- tier system of discipline while doing this.
3/14/2010 12:58:00 AM
Dream on.
Anonymous said...
YEAH,AND WE BETTER ALL GET A COPY OF THE NEW IMPROVED ORDERS!!
3/14/2010 09:22:00 AM
You will. On the computer under "Automated Directives" You can use your own printer and paper if you want a hard copy.
Anonymous said...
Kudos to R&D for starting work on it. The uniform orders alone are a catastrophe. The problem, of course, is that if everything isn't spelled out, some jerk copper will cry "You can't make me do that, it's not in the orders."
3/14/2010 04:04:00 AM
Kudos? "Some jerk copper"??
You stupid dick sucking exempt nut-sack munching suckhole.
Exactly right, everything MUST be spelled out. How else would you do it? Let "the boss" make it up as he goes along? You fucking moron.
Obviously a future merit suckhole in the making,
"It's a mess," said Rachel Johnston, director of research and development, when referring to the regime of her boss, Ted O'Keefe.
Johnston went on to say, "Ted is a multi-faceted manager, but he is under a lot of pressure from the Hall. It has caused him to be wound up so tight, he shits diamonds!"
What a guy. Bless you Father Ted.
Again....this is what happens when a consent decree is placed on a department. Department policy changes, hiring shortage, low morale, very similar to what LAPD went through.
3/14/2010 10:17:00 AM
No.
What probably happened was that a connected annointed clout baby was in the same predicament and they used that excuse to slide him/her through.
The PO was either clouted or collateral beneficiary.
If anything, they should have assign merit sergeants to do it since most of them probably never even had to read the orders in the first place!!
this here made me laugh out loud!
Question. Are ALL the Supervisors assigned to SWAT meritorious?
You can be guaranteed they will not be getting rid of any orders. Every order that has come out in the last couple years and replaces one, is ALWAYS longer than the one it replaced, telling you more specifically how to do your job.
The only way that stack is going to be less than 16 inches tall is if they go to a 6 point font, or put them all on a DVD/CD.
5 years of work? BS get it done in less than 6 months. Start with the never drunk rule from the Prohibition Days. Besides a re-write can be easy just eliminate the stupid rules.
you gotta admit, there some (many) stupid rules out there. time to catch up to this century. i.e. having a phone line at home. (there's cell phones these days...) chewing gum or smoking in public??? can't drive a cab? (who'd want to) no heroin use? wtf ...no fair :-)
3/14/2010 03:03:00 AM
-----
You CAN drive a cab. That was rescinded at least fourteen years ago. I guess we know who ISN'T reading the rules and regs (it wasn't a general order).
You STILL can't own a bar, though. lol
The only reason why Weis is considering this is because these rules and regulations have been problem for him and his gronies.
Don't think for one minute redoing the current G.O's rules and regulations, will be infavor of the rank and file members of this department.
Believe this fellow officers, Weis has time and time again shown us just who and what he is!!!! Don't think Weis will change.
Don't forget what he did to Cozzi, and don't forget how he was so quick to get on t.v. and throw Sgt. Haymaker under the bus.
Remember, Never ever trust a Fed!!!
How much do you think the Deputy Director and Director of Research & Development make? I guess in the $130,000 range.
I probably go to work and violate ten rules a day without even intending to...Damn...I'm lucky I still have my J-O-B!!!!!
All of those orders (as someone pointed out) have come out of situations that have arisen in the field that left it (the situation) FUBAR.
They may be able to weed out some of the BS, but most of them are there for a reason.
My personal favorite passage from a GO is from the Uniform and Personal Appearance Order that states: "Hair color shall be that that is natural to the human species or a conservative variant thereof" I would love to know the story behind that one.
lest we forget the one concerning wearing a batman type cowl and loitering aroumd a stamboat landing, man God help you if you were caught, a classic.
they all fit on one CD no problem
Maybe she needs someone to explain them to her? was there an outcry for this ?
You stupid dick sucking exempt nut-sack munching suckhole.
but a really nice guy.....Geez...dont like White Shirts too much there do ya?
) chewing gum or smoking in public??? can't drive a cab? (who'd want to) no heroin use? wtf ...no fair :-)
3/14/2010 03:03:00
Oh damn....no HEROIN?????
now what the hell am i supposed to do with all this "evidence"? We contact carded the guy and it all fell out of his pocket as he left.
Son of a BITCH! And i just went and turned in all my dirty needles for clean ones too. :)
Anonymous said...
Speaking of writing orders, I was surfing the internet the other day and I ran across the Women’s Tactical Association website which I read that the two founding members claim they currently write and implement policy for the Chicago police department. Being inquisitive, I decided to look up in automated directives what policy they have written and guess what I discovered? They haven’t written shit. As a former member of R & D, there is a two or three letter designation at the end of each official directive; can you take a guess what that is?? It is the initials of the person who wrote the policy and there no record of either of your initials on any official directive. The only time I see either of your names is to sign up for those bullshit seminars held at headquarters. You should both change your experience to secretary because that is what your real job title entails. If I am incorrect and you did write department policy, please post the number of the directive and let me know, via this blog, what order that was. Just because you work for the superintendents policy group does not necessarily mean you write and implement policy. Exaggerating your experience is unethical, wrong, and you should remove that from your website as what job task you are currently doing for the department.
3/14/2010 01:00:00 PM
This is good news! They have no police experience and they have no business writing department policey anyway.
Anonymous said...
Retired Lt James Hickey is heading up this project. This is the same guy who wrote the new and improved CPD chase policy.
69K Pension + 80K Post Retirement CLOUT gig.
Nice to have all that CLOUT!
3/14/2010 11:04:00 AM
They want Hickey gone, but nobody has the balls to outright fire him. He'll stay forever or until hell freezes over, whichever comes first. Even as a civilian, he's still waiting and wishing for that gold star, but they passed him over again. They gave the gold star to a 30 something civilian, Rachel Johnston, and then assigned him to work for her. Even so, he's laughing all the way to the bank.
The overload of Department Directives is nothing compared to all the laws we have.
The only laws we really need are the 10 (or was it 15..?)that Moses carried down from the mountain.
"My personal favorite passage from a GO is from the Uniform and Personal Appearance Order that states: "Hair color shall be that that is natural to the human species or a conservative variant thereof" I would love to know the story behind that one."
The story is that a certain PO (now a retired Lt.) showed up at the St. Pat's Day parade detail with his hair dyed a very nice Irish shade of green. Some boss apparently did not like his hairdo and was going to write him up for it.
Under Labor law, it pretty much goes that what ever is not specifically prohibited is permitted. So he couldn't.
The order was changed in few days.
It is incidents like this that the orders are so large.
How much do you think the Deputy Director and Director of Research & Development make? I guess in the $130,000 range.
Directors are the equivalent of commanders. They make the same money as commanders. It was somewhere in the 140s the last time I checked. Coordinators and District Managers make sgt's pay. I am not sure about Deputy Directors. I would assume it's somewhere in the Lt's range.
saw one with my own eyes concerning confrontation with a landed U F O.military to be summoned at once, clear area, ABSOLUTELY NO PHOTOS TO BE TAKEN except by authorised indiviuals, if on scene personell become faint or woozy report to set up medical military tent, your mind may seem in turmoil and strange foreign thoughts may enter your mind via voices, you may cast a shadow on said vehicle which will stay even if you move etc etc etc, about 15 guys at station saw this but was mysteriously removed, can anyone here add to this,and also NEVER TOUCH SAID FOREIGN VEHICLE. WTF
Anonymous said...
Retired Lt James Hickey is heading up this project. This is the same guy who wrote the new and improved CPD chase policy.
69K Pension + 80K Post Retirement CLOUT gig.
Nice to have all that CLOUT!
3/14/2010 11:04:00 AM
Ummm make that a little over $100,000 for his Post Retirement CLOUT gig. He also retired as a Lt.
Anonymous said...
How much do you think the Deputy Director and Director of Research & Development make? I guess in the $130,000 range.
3/14/2010 08:17:00 PM
You would be correct.
If anything, they should have assign merit sergeants to do it since most of them probably never even had to read the orders in the first place!!
this here made me laugh out loud!
Question. Are ALL the Supervisors assigned to SWAT meritorious?
3/14/2010 06:51:00 PM
all except 2, but wouldn't you know it, those are the same 2 everyone wants to work for. Amazing! When is Wiberg and Bosse coming back from furlo? They sure have been gone a long time.
They want Hickey gone, but nobody has the balls
Hickey and balls are two words that don't go together.
Like competent police management.
Hickey, I didnt like your bitch ass when you were a LT in 003, and I don't like you now. Spray your retired star gold and get over it. Fuck you now and forever.
Remember, it's usually some "jerk copper" that's screws up everything for everyone else.
"The story is that a certain PO (now a retired Lt.) showed up at the St. Pat's Day parade detail with his hair dyed a very nice Irish shade of green. Some boss apparently did not like his hairdo and was going to write him up for it."
Good ol' "Crash" Flynn. The fighting 018th misses you dearly. Enjoy your disability retirement. You earned it.
Better Government Association lists the salaries of City employees. According to their database Hickey is an Asst Director making $104,232 and his boss Rachel Johnston the director is making $125,316
Anonymous said...
. He eventually was fired rather than try to clean up the mess he was in. Not the brightest bulb in the box, I'm afraid. He threw away about 16-17 yrs and a pension!
he was fired for that???
3/14/2010 04:28:00 PM
He got fired for being stupid.
He agreed to a payment plan to pay off the debt, but felt the amount he owed for the accident was too high, so he stopped paying after 2 payments.
Then IAD staked out his home and caught him driving his personal car. They cited him for Susp DL, Susp plates, No Insurance, No City Sticker, and not wearing a seatbelt.
After one continuance, he failed to appear in court, and it all went downhill from there.
Definitely, he DID deserve to be fired. Last I heard, he was selling drugs on the westside. With all of his police experience, he has become very successful at doing that.
And yes, Fort Forgotten it was. I really miss that place... NOT ! ! !
Talk about a waste of paper and ink!
Wasn't there a rule that was written to clarify the definition of an Officers duty status, that basically said that "an Officer is OFF-duty whenever they are not ON-duty"?
Not totally clear, but definitely short and concise!
Post a Comment
<< Home