Ernie Brown and 99 Units
A few people have said that Ernie Brown issued an order some years ago that encapsulated the "agreement" about 10-99 units during the hours of darkness. We'll admit we're drawing a blank here. But someone, somewhere has to have direct knowledge of it.
Of course, if it was a Patrol Division letter, it carries no weight with a new administration or for that matter, with a new Chief of Patrol once Ernie moved on. But for the historical record, it would be something helpful should the FOP decide to cite a past practice in a safety complaint.
Does it exist? And who's got a copy?
Of course, if it was a Patrol Division letter, it carries no weight with a new administration or for that matter, with a new Chief of Patrol once Ernie moved on. But for the historical record, it would be something helpful should the FOP decide to cite a past practice in a safety complaint.
Does it exist? And who's got a copy?
Labels: department issues
posted by SCC at 12:04 AM
48 Comments:
Yes it does exist and has existed years before Brown's tenure... Do some research and I am sure one of these brilliant detectives will come up with the order as they usually proclaim to "know everything".
It doesn't exist.
I have yet to see a police officer work 99 if they requested to work with a partner on 3rd and 1st watch--- if the manpower really is that bad where you work then just drive around in circles at the station lot on security--- if you catch a job then drive by doing about 50 mph and give it a 19p....
I believe it may have been a dept. notice, not an order.
I am not positive but I came on in 90 and thought that you had to volunteer to work 99 during 3rd watch and 1st watch. I seem to remember that you had to have a To-From on file in the WC's office acknowledging that. I had been told that it was part of the contract but got removed sometime later.
Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership! The office of Crime Control Strategies, Chicago Police Department core value, look it up, read it! To whom it may concern.
Check the Academy. Those file cabinets have copies of every order written or thought of.
The Mayor has declared that he is not concerned with the welfare of the members of his Police Department with this order. We are expendable. Thanks Mr. Mayor.
When the Mayor and the upper echelon show up to the funeral of the first officer killed because of this, I hope the widow and children of the dead officer throw them out of the church.
Speaking of the F.O.P. where the Hell have they been the last 6 months????? What an absolute joke! Our president is too busy updating his Facebook status rather than fight for our rights! PATHETIC !!!
Doesn't anyone realize that a Safety Complaint or Safety Grievance carries no weight? There is no enforcement or penalty. Nothing. The City has lost Safety Grievances and simply said "So?"
The only time they are of use is if an accident occurs and an officer or civilian is injured and there is a safety grievance on record and the City did nothing about it. Then it can be used in a lawsuit to prove negligence.
OSHA has enforcement muscle, not the FOP. If something is wrong call OSHA or the state equivalent because too many people delude themselves into thinking that if the City loses a Safety Grievance they must then correct the problem. Not so.
The City only takes action if it in their benefit to do so, some politicians relative can make some dough or if the courts have forced them to act. That is it.
Does anyone remember the strong stench of gasoline in the basement of Area 1 whenever there was a delivery of gasoline to the pumps at the garage, hundreds of feet away? I do. Nothing was done other than dig up some old pipes, eventually.
If that were a private building near a gas station you would see a team in white haz-mat suits and a disaster declared with evacuations etc. Because it was only a police station with only officers and detectives at peril and Richard M Daley was Mayor, nothing was done.
This "agreement" or unknown General Order declaring that officers do not have to work 10-99 is similar. Nothing can be done. Rick Francis was killed in July 2008 working alone.
What has changed since then regarding one man units/foor posts?
Nothing.
Look at the officers we all see with crappy worn out leather gear that we know can easily lose a weapon with tragic consequences. I know of at least 4 PO's killed in the line because of their shit holsters.
Do you think the cost of 12,500 holsters is less than the cost of even one Line of Duty death? Sure is. And what has the City/Department done? Just require that recruits buy a good holster. Nothing for those that still carry old worn out leather.
But wait, Rahm found $250 million bucks to build a new Malcolm X College. Where did he find that money? What's wrong with the existing Malcolm X College? Not one cent for safety improvements for us however.
I do not believe it was put down on paper. It was a verbal dictate to all district commanders done through the Chief of Patrol. It was told to all of us that ALL 1st watch cars must be two person ... no exceptions aside from the mail car. If you were short, you could down cars. If there was an "odd man out" that person would work a traffic car or work inside. Commanders had to check 1st watch worksheets and make sure all beat cars were 2 person. Aside from a few personality conflicts we all thought that Ernie finally came up with a good idea ....
We are becoming Detroit every passing day.
it was last year the letter came out from brown
Nobody cares. Work 99. You get a domestic or B.A., ask for another car. Wait for the other car. Problem solved. Move on to next topic.
With some of the goofs that work for this department nowadays, I really think I am safer working 99. Problem is, many of us don't stay aware of our surroundings and don't THINK. Don't go into a domestic by yourself, and if you do, work from the hallway, not inside the apartment with a whole family of shit-heads. Don't pull over cars full of shit-heads by yourself...follow and ask for an assist. THINK, people!
I am now retired, but as I recall we actually had to sign a waiver to the affect that we would be willing to work 99. But the incident that triggered this goes back to the late 70's early 80's. The incident was the result of the wives of officers protesting after an officer was slain working 99, and I am ashamed to say I do not remember his name. But I do remember the Dist. Secretary would keep the waivers and that is how they would decide what you would work.
I think this is another story passed down over the years and doesn't actually have any merit. Others include the requirement to have two black pens (only one is required) and telling oemc your beginning and ending mileage when transporting a female. Both of these are not in any directives but everyone thinks its policy.
A waiver had to be signed in order to work 99.
Believe it started in the middle 70's.
From what I remember this goes back to the 70's/or early 80's after a P/O or two were shot in Englewood at night, the WIVES of the P/O's banded together to protest. The order was something to the effect of that there would be no 99 units during night time hours. Can anyone help further?
Not CPD. Is a "99 unit" a one man unit?
If it existed, and I am pretty sure that it did, at least back in the mid 80's, the place to find it wold be in Research and Development, or whatever it is called now. They keep a dead file for future reference. I beoieve that the order pertained generally to hours of darkness. Many watches in many districts did keep copoies of pre-printed To-From Reports of officers volunteering to work alone. I know mine at that time did. The order did not give Watch Commanders any authority to do that, we just did, actually a highly questionable practice.
The Research and Development Section had for years, and probably still does, a complete historical file on every order by every division. If this directive was ever sent out, a copy would be in these files. maybe you can get someone down there to take a look.
Sometime ago someone from the fop (can't remember who ) sent me a copy. Don't recall if it was a dept. Notice or order. I will look for it
It does exist. It was not a general order or a special order. It came out as a letter from Ernie Brown about 2 years ago. It actually created quite a stir as officers were angry because time due was going to be limited in order to fulfill the requirement that Brown demanded. Im sure if someone has time they can find it in an old copy of a CO Book or some former watch commander turned District Station supervisor who was on top of things will likely have a copy of the letter. As I recall it was strong letter that stated there would be NO EXCEPTIONS.
Earnie Brown? Gentlemen's agreement? Watch your girlfriend or your wife while you look for it.
Bottom line with mcnut and rahmbo they don't care at all about the street copper!
The City Ghetto is a WARZONE! If you are forced to work 99 don't put yourself in danger for these mutts. You have a life. You and your family come first.
Our Capt. (now retired) was admonished by Cmmdr per DTEB for having a 99 unit on the 1st W sheets. It existed.
A/2
Anonymous said...
Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership! The office of Crime Control Strategies, Chicago Police Department core value, look it up, read it! To whom it may concern.
4/06/2012 02:04:00 AM
Describes Lt JA in 011 to a "t!"
"OSHA has enforcement muscle, not the FOP. If something is wrong call OSHA or the state equivalent because too many people delude themselves into thinking that if the City loses a Safety Grievance they must then correct the problem. Not so."
OSHA has been contacted in the past re: some complaints, said they have no jurisdiction over police and fire, given the nature of their employment...
Being a retired PO I was working when all this went down. You might not like to hear what I have to say, but we are our own worst enemies. The city and FOP agreed and all cars were 10-4. Then po's for a number of reasons started volunteering to work 10-99 and that broke the agreement. You cant work for an agreement like that and after all the shouting, then have some guys(after claiming a 10-99 car is dangerous) blow that whole argument out of the water by working 10-99 when they didnt have to. Most of the po's that volunteered didnt volunteer because they thought they could do the job alone, but for reasons like they only got paper jobs and didnt get the in progress or domestics and also didnt have to make arrests because they were alone. It was done so self interest
Anonymous said...
From what I remember this goes back to the 70's/or early 80's after a P/O or two were shot in Englewood at night, the WIVES of the P/O's banded together to protest. The order was something to the effect of that there would be no 99 units during night time hours. Can anyone help further?
4/06/2012 10:49:00 AM
The first time I recall seeing anything on paper about this was in 1973 after a Traffic man named Wenzel was shot and killed on Lake Shore Drive, after making a traffic stop. They enforced it for a while, then it fell by the wayside. RIP PO Wenzel.
Do you think the cost of 12,500 holsters is less than the cost of even one Line of Duty death? Sure is. And what has the City/Department done? Just require that recruits buy a good holster. Nothing for those that still carry old worn out leather.
But wait, Rahm found $250 million bucks to build a new Malcolm X College. Where did he find that money? What's wrong with the existing Malcolm X College? Not one cent for safety improvements for us however.
4/06/2012 07:30:00 AM
Oh, and don't forget the tens of millions to build some fucking parks and a trail on the West side that will run up some old railroad tracks. Yeah, really concerned 'bout the safety of those who protect the city. Fuckin' racoon!!!
Anonymous said...
I think this is another story passed down over the years and doesn't actually have any merit. Others include the requirement to have two black pens (only one is required) and telling oemc your beginning and ending mileage when transporting a female. Both of these are not in any directives but everyone thinks its policy.
4/06/2012 09:43:00 AM
Beginning and ending and console time stamp to protect your ass!!! Good common sense, policy or not. CYAG!!!!
Look at the officers we all see with crappy worn out leather gear that we know can easily lose a weapon with tragic consequences. I know of at least 4 PO's killed in the line because of their shit holsters.
Sorry but not a good example. We get a clothing allowance and I hate to tell you. Those officers are not spending money on uniforms. Bad example.
Can we ask anyone that used to work fo Brown? Maybe they will remember.
Not CPD. Is a "99 unit" a one man unit?
4/06/2012 10:54:00 AM
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Read, and learn.
I think this is another story passed down over the years and doesn't actually have any merit. Others include the requirement to have two black pens (only one is required) and telling oemc your beginning and ending mileage when transporting a female. Both of these are not in any directives but everyone thinks its policy.
4/06/2012 09:43:00 AM
===
You'll be grateful for that common-sense 'policy' of giving mileage when you end up accused of something and in Federal court. Time and mileage has saved more than one career, smartass.
SCC yes Ernie Brown sent it out I have a copy at work, if you need it I will grab it tomorrow and send it, just tell me where you want me to send to to.
Days Lt.
Everbody believes it was this or that order/letter/agreement or whatever. But memories are hazy and no one can produce anything written or quote chapter and verse so it can be looked it up.
It is all "I heard from a guy who knows a guy."
Someone produce a copy of an order or forget about it.
FOP cannot produce anything written and that was under Donahue. People have looked and made phone calls.
I believe the guy who had the rifle and scope right behind the grassy knoll in Dallas in 1963 has it and he was also in on the coverup of Area 51. The last sighting was right before he doctored the video of the moon landing to make people believe we went to the moon. Then he planted all those pods with aliens maturing inside. Yeah, that's it, that's the ticket.
Anonymous said...
Yes it does exist and has existed years before Brown's tenure... Do some research and I am sure one of these brilliant detectives will come up with the order as they usually proclaim to "know everything".
4/06/2012 12:10:00 AM
That is seriously rude and uncalled for.
Anybody Facebook friends with Cline or any old bosses who would know? Maybe you could comment that you're looking for the info and someone will come forward.
I don't know anyone and don't have any friends and don't care if people have given up red meat or played hopscotch with their kids--so I don't have a Facebook page.
I had one so I could look up bad guys but dumped it when I didn't really need it anymore.
Isn't Lt. JA the one who wrote the letter saying the dept. was broken? I thought he was one of the good guys, no?
Retired Officer Harold Kunz fought hard for the safety of officers in the 80's. Guess what? one of the issues was working 99. (Safety first)
Tony Raymond. Remember that name. Tony Raymond. Suburban police officer killed after a traffic stop working alone. Big manhunt to find the body. Empty squad car. Around 1973 or 1974. I was the altar boy at St Simeon Church in Bellwood and served the funeral Mass. St Simeon Church could seat 2000 people. Police came from the city, suburbs, a dozen different states. I was nine or ten. I had never seen so many pissed off people (police) in my life. Police offices filled the back of the church, the vestibule and stood outside. It took over half and hour for the last squad car to leave in procession.
Tony Raymond was a good young police officer. His younger brother was a few years ahead of me in school. His parents owned Raimondi Bakery in Hillside. Don't ever work alone nights in the city. Ever.
my father is Robert Wenzel, according to the news articles im reading here, there were general orders sent down from the then supt. that there were to be no more one man cars on 3rd & 1st shifts. The city, FOP and the Patrolman Federation agreed on this. but from these news papers theres nothing about it being in any contract.. it did say that officers were to rrefuse being a 99 car.. thank you ladies and gentlemen for what you do and how you do it... stay safe, and remember, above all, "your job is to go home at the end of the night.." here endith the lesson.. stay safe and screw 99...
It just goes to show that McStupid never took the time to do his homework and find out how many P.O's lost their lives working 99. I guess he never heard of "Rick Francis"
It was an agreement as a result of the murder of I believe P.O.Kenny Kaner at 76th and Union. Agreement reached, I believe with a wives association, or possibly the Gold Stars and Daley.
It was long before the FOP was our bargaining agent, or for that matter before we had a contract. Specifically stated that there will be NO 10-99 cars during the hours of darkness.
Probably would have to search some old newspaper articles, It was big news in those days!
Actually I believe that Kaner's wife is still active with the Gold Stars, she, or one of her contemporaries unfortunately could fill in the blanks I'm sure.
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