Cops want extra pay for using computers!

[The Dad Fisherman]

I'd like to reply....but I'm afraid my picture will come up on one of those computers and I'll never get another warning again

[Bob Thomas]

I'm glad to see that there are SOME people out there that agree that we (Police Officers) should be compensated for having a degree. I hold a Masters degree in CJ with a minor in Business Management. I am still paying for these degrees and will be for another 12 years. I've been out since 1998. HOWEVER....

Good old Cadillac Devil Patrick is again threatening to take away any education incentive from us i.e. the Quinn Bill. It was a very close defeat during this round of cuts but we have been warned from our unions.....it's on the chopping block and can expect the ax to fall.

Essentially, his campaign promise of "1,000 new cops on the streets" meant in the unemployment line. It seems he wants uneducated officers out there. NOW, even my small town is facing a potential layoff as are many other towns that have or are in the process of laying off. In a time where we should have more officers out there preventing the constant thefts (Increasing every day in our town), we are losing officers. Couple that with the potential to have our pay drastically cut without an education incentive, this state will be facing a mass exodus both my retirements as well as officers seeking gainful employment in other states that pay more.

We live in a scary time and it's not going to get better for quite a while!

To address the 9/11 holiday, computer stipend and the officers picketing the detail construction zones.....

BTW....I take my bagel Onion, toasted with Veggie Cream Cheese

[JH Beers]

Originally Posted by Bob Thomas

BTW....I take my bagel Onion, toasted with Veggie Cream Cheese

Are you dealing with a serial crusher?

[Bob Thomas]

Hey Hooper......

5 out of 60 doesn't sound all that bad....keeping it in perspective. We've got 10 officers, including the Chief. The town just said to cut 10% of the PD budget. That's $100k! Lessee....we've already cut down $30k earlier this year....we run with 2 guys on a shift....2 layoffs means I'm back to working alone. Safe??? NOT!!

However, just like you, the schools get a blank check. They had 2 override votes earlier this year for $600k. Both failed. Being a regional school district, the school board said fine.....you've got to come up with the money SOMEHOW!! Well, cut each department, cut down on the OT, town has not purchased a new cruiser for us in 9 years (Chief is forced to get them off grants, 1 per year) and now they want to cut us some more. Total BS. That's 4 years in a row the school department has DEMANDED over $500k but they have NEVER made ANY cuts in their budget.

Sorry to digress......just struck a nerve

[JH Beers]

Ouch Bob... I can't even imagine how frustrating that must be for you guys, especially given that you don't want to look like "Cops stealing money from schools!!!".

Hopefully it'll all work out, but goalposts? Damn......

[Bob Thomas]

Even better.....


6 or 7 years ago, we charged one of the school department secretaries and her daughter for larceny. They cut over $100k worth of checks on the school department dime. NOTHING was recouped. Now, the PTA is being investigated for "fund discrepancies." Oh yea....great system going on there

I've got 3 guys under me (leave that one along ) so I should be safe. If they get to me, the world is coming to an end!

Hopefully, Devil Patrick will be a 1 term Governor. He's really up to no good.

Don't even get me started on the flagmen ordeal. That "test site" in Boylston a few weeks ago.....cost was MORE than a police detail! I won't get into specifics because it would be a whole new thread but it was an absolute 3 ring circus with the ring leaders cashing in BIG TIME!

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by Bob Thomas

Hey Hooper......

5 out of 60 doesn't sound all that bad....keeping it in perspective. We've got 10 officers, including the Chief. The town just said to cut 10% of the PD budget. That's $100k! Lessee....we've already cut down $30k earlier this year....we run with 2 guys on a shift....2 layoffs means I'm back to working alone. Safe??? NOT!!

However, just like you, the schools get a blank check. They had 2 override votes earlier this year for $600k. Both failed. Being a regional school district, the school board said fine.....you've got to come up with the money SOMEHOW!! Well, cut each department, cut down on the OT, town has not purchased a new cruiser for us in 9 years (Chief is forced to get them off grants, 1 per year) and now they want to cut us some more. Total BS. That's 4 years in a row the school department has DEMANDED over $500k but they have NEVER made ANY cuts in their budget.

Sorry to digress......just struck a nerve

Yeah, we had to cut $500,000 from the budget, again, thanks to our regional school district.

If the motoring public thinks flaggers will be such a panacea, then have at it.

I had some a$$hole say to me as he drove past me the other day, "Civilians will be better" and drove away. I could tell he was upset that he was delaying for three minues while traffic flowed from the opposite direction.....Won't it be funny when cops are no longer directing traffic that

1.) There will still be delays at road construction sites and traffic will back-up.
2.) Flagmen drink coffee, too.
3.) The cost of directing traffic, flagmen or police, is still very expensive no matter what.

[Bob Thomas]

Originally Posted by Hooper

Yeah, we had to cut $500,000 from the budget, again, thanks to our regional school district.

If the motoring public thinks flaggers will be such a panacea, then have at it.

I had some a$$hole say to me as he drove past me the other day, "Civilians will be better" and drove away. I could tell he was upset that he was delaying for three minues while traffic flowed from the opposite direction.....Won't it be funny when cops are no longer directing traffic that

1.) There will still be delays at road construction sites and traffic will back-up.
2.) Flagmen drink coffee, too.
3.) The cost of directing traffic, flagmen or police, is still very expensive no matter what.

Yup....cost savings to have civilians out there. Going to save MILLIONS......

1. The detail in Boylston would have had 1 officer with a cruiser behind the machinery
2. There were 2 flagmen making "about $35/hour" so that's $70/hour vs. $42. Yup...I can see the savings already!
3. All those "laid off tollworkers" remember them....about 100? Very curious how all of a sudden there were also 100 new flagmen out there.....looks like the tollworkers got a promotion!
4. Those flagmen that will have the same training as far as medical and traffic direction.....they had 1 hour of training, most failed 2 of their tests and are also Mass Highway workers that were going to be cut
5. All this information was provided by a working Mass Highway supervisor

But hey...the public perception is they won....cops are off the details. I wonder if we'll get tax refunds now that Devil is saving money???