Unpaid Furlough Days
With everything in the news about the City forcing the labor unions to take unpaid furlough days we have received several calls and emails from Lieutenants who are concerned whether this applies to us. This does not apply to the Lieutenants. The City has not approached us on this issue and I do not believe that they will. We would say no to any proposal on this issue. At this time the City has been talking with the non public safety unions such as AFSME, and the trades who already have a contract in place. They have told them that there would be lay offs if there are no concessions on this issue. They can lay off those workers at any time. We have it in our contract that there can be no layoffs until every civilian city employee is laid off first. That would mean no garbage men would be left, no water department workers would be left, and every one else would be gone too. Exempts have had unpaid furlough days pushed upon them because they do not have the protection of a contract. We do.
NEW POLICY FOR DUTY WEAPONS
We just were informed that the department plans to implement a new policy for duty weapons. This policy will be effective at the end of the year. For more information please read this letter.
Lt.s on CR List
Recently, as we all are aware, the Superintendent gave a list of Chicago Police with 5 or more CR allegations or 1 excessive force complaint made against them in the last 8 years. If you are concerned that you may be on the list you are entitled to examin your disciplinary record
Section 8.2 File Inspection
The Employer’s personnel files, disciplinary history files and completed inactive investigative files, except for information which the Employer deems to be confidential, shall be open and available for inspection by the affected Lieutenant during regular business hours.
NEW BY-LAWS
When I became the President of the CPLA one of the things I felt needed immediate attention was a revision of our existing by-laws. Over time with changes and amendments the old by-laws had become confusing and failed to provide the guidance we required. With that in mind I created a By-Law Revision Committee, chaired by Dean Stone. The committee did many hours of research and developed a goal. With that in mind they produced a set of by-laws that will guide the CPLA for many years. We have posted these new by-laws here on the web site. My thanks to the committee for their hard work and dedication.
Lieutenants affected by the 10 hour work schedule in 005 and 020
The Bureau of Patrol order # 09-0008 published on 06 January 2009 and posted on our website the same day spells out exactly the procedure for Lieutenants who are working as 1st watch Field Lieutenant in either the 005th or 020th Districts. It however does not cover Lieutenants assigned as Watch Commander in districts assigned to provide Watch Commander Responsibility covering the two pilot districts.
Reviewing our current contract it is clearly stated in ARTICLE 32, WATCH/UNIT/DISTRICT SELECTION, Section B.5 - If the Employer assigns or details a District Bid Lieutenant to a district other than the district of bid, the affected Lieutenant will be entitled to compensation at the rate of time and one half in quarter hour increments for the duration of the assignment. This Section does not apply to Lieutenants assigned as CAPS or Tactical Lieutenants or Lieutenants assigned as Foot Lieutenants within the Central Control Group.
To quote Area 3 Deputy Chief Bruce Rottner in a memo to the Area 3 Districts “What this means … is that there will NOT be a watch commander in 020 between 0130 – 0530 hours. Therefore, the responsibility for approving arrest reports, property turnovers and other issues that can only be completed by a watch commander will fall on the 19th, 23rd and 24th Districts during these hours.” The Board of the Chicago Police Lieutenants Association, PBPA unit 156 B can only take this to mean the Chicago Police Department is assigning or detailing the Bid Lieutenant to a district other than the district of bid in addition to their normally assigned district. They are assuming both the responsibilities as well as the liability of the Watch Commander in each district at the same time. As such The Bid Lieutenant assigned as Watch Commander who is responsible for both their normal district as well as a pilot district is entitled to be compensated at the rate of time and one half in quarter hour increments for the duration of the assignment.
In addition the Board feels that the covering Watch Commander may find it necessary to travel to the pilot district to ensure that they are properly informed of the information and conditions that they are expected to sign off. The CPLA would encourage this decision as well to help mitigate any liability as the watch commander. In addition don’t go working a ten hour day for any reason without putting in a slip for the over time.
The CPLA has not agreed to waive any contractual agreements to allow this pilot program and expects the CPD to honor their contractual responsibilities as well. As always should the department decide not to honor the contract provisions you should immediately contact the CPLA and forward to the CPLA copies of all denied compensation requests.
Thank you,
Robert Weisskopf
President
Chicago Police Lieutenants Association
Kid – this job ain’t what it used to be…
When we went through the police academy we all had someone tell us "kid – this job ain’t what it used to be." Well it ain't. No matter when you came on the job it is never the same as it used to be. However, some things do stay the same.
In 1968 after the Democratic Convention the Chicago Police were blasted by the media across the country as thugs and the enemy. The Chicago Police Officers at the convention were ordered there. They did not freely choose to be there like the demonstrators who attended the Battle on Michigan Avenue. The Officers were there doing their duty. Politicians and Officials called for federal indictments. Eight Chicago Police Officers were charged with civil rights violations, forty one officers were disciplined after an internal police investigation. Oh, by the way 119 Police Officers were injured during the convention.
In the last two years there have been a few incidents regarding Chicago Police Officers. Modern electronic and print media have sensationalized these events. Television stations have played over and over the same video clips. Newspapers have rehashed old stories. All this is in an attempt to raise ratings and sell ad space. What better way for someone who wants media coverage right now then to stand on the podium or pulpit and to slam the police, to call for indictments and investigations.
Don't let a little thing like due process stand in the way. To these people seeking media coverage little things like a statute of limitations mean nothing. Pleading guilty to a crime and serving your punishment is no longer protection from further prosecution. It is apparent that the bigger the city and the bigger the organization the more it is susceptible to political correctness and less concern it has for actual justice.
There is an old adage in criminal justice studies that says "Society gets the police it deserves."
Keeping this all in mind, we as Chicago Police Lieutenants have several responsibilities. First we need to ensure that the officers who are in our charge have the knowledge, training and leadership to help them make the proper decisions as they go about the performance of their duties. Give them the tools to help them make it through their off duty lives without jamming themselves up. Let them know that, truly, this job ain’t what it used to be. We need to show them the correct way to do things and we need to set the example for them to follow. We need to take care of our people! Those of us who are fortunate enough to rise further in rank need to remember this.
Second we need to ensure that we make the proper decisions ourselves both in our role as Lieutenant as well as when we are off duty. No longer can you rely on the city or police department to watch your back. You have to watch your own. We all have too much to loose. Society is no longer happy with a mere pound of flesh in retaliation for what it perceives to be a wrong by a police officer. Now they want to ruin that officer’s life completely and are not satisfied until that happens.
The podium and pulpit have not mentioned the fact that, in spite of, the recent media thrashings that Chicago Police have taken, when shots ring out in the neighborhoods and they are ducking for cover behind their podium and pulpit that it is the members of the Chicago Police Department that are racing to their aid. For some reason that poor slob of a police officer who races to the call is protecting the very same people who gave them dirty looks, called them fat and sloppy, called them thugs and enemy.
We had a Lieutenant back in the late 80's that always ended roll call with "run low and zig zag." Well kid - that ain’t changed. It isn't just the bad guys who are taking shots at you today. Be safe.
The Representatives and Executive Board of the Chicago Police Lieutenants Association
Police Related Shootings
If you are involved in a shooting, on or off duty, you should know that the CPLA will respond as soon as we are notified. Our Board of Directors work and reside throughout the city and have been provided with reference manuals to aid you during the investigation. We will have a union representative there as expeditiously as possible. In addition to a Board Member, a lawyer from our firm will also respond.
To best protect your rights it is important that you follow the department guide lines concerning police involved shootings. Familiarize yourself with these. Remember that you are required to provide the ranking member on the scene (one on one) with a synopsis of what happened. For instance, the following is a valid response to the boss prior to consulting with your union representative and attorney:
"I responded to the suspicious person call. I tried to stop the subject who refused to comply with me after I told him I was the police. He produced a gun. I was in fear for my life and I had no other choice so I shot several times at him and hit him. I shot in a southerly direction and there are no other suspects."
This type of response provides the investigators with the information that there are no other suspects and that if you missed with any shots they went in a direction that can be checked for evidence and/or someone else shot. You provided the required information that you identified yourself, the offender had a deadly weapon, you were in fear of death or great bodily harm and you exhausted the Use of Force Model. A more detailed report will be filed later once you have had a chance to consult with your union representative and your attorney.
Since the new IPRA now responds promptly to any shootings, stand your ground if they intend to query you in more detail. Tell them you wish to consult with the union and your attorney. They are required to abide by the department orders and our contract in providing you with your rights.
You should also know that a "U Number" will be obtained. This documents a referral number to an individual incident where Chicago Police Officers fire their weapons. A Log number will also be obtained and more than likely will be converted to a CR investigation down the line.
Your General Handbook has the 24hr. contact number (312-332-7432) you should call if you are involved in a shooting or are investigating a shooting where a fellow lieutenant is involved. Make this notification as soon as possible so we can get someone to assist you in this traumatic time.
If you respond to a police shooting as a field lieutenant or watch commander remember these same suggestions. You would not be out of line to tell an involved officer that the U Number, Log number and possibly a CR number will be obtained and that he has a right to representation by his union (no matter what rank is involved).
I hope that none of you ever has to use this advice or recommendations. Be Safe.
Robert H. Stasch
Treasurer