On the night of January 20th between 1730 and 1930hrs. Twenty-one members of the GPOA went to the City Council. Where were you?
I have heard the complaints on pay, pay raises or lack thereof, career tracks and how our benefits don't stack up against other agencies. How the rookie starting pay is eclipsing your pay and how bad the City and Workman's Comp has treated you.
We set a date to go to the City Council and twenty-one members show up. Twenty-one made an impact. I promise you they did. Not a bad turn out, but it could have been better. Thank you to those who were there. I really appreciate it.
The Greensboro Police Officer's Association got some good exposure. The Council got put on camera saying they support the police and they would look at the issues we brought up. Do I believe them? I'm skeptical but hopeful. But now we have them on record before the citizens and the media will be looking for a follow-up story. When more folks leave and it's harder to recruit and the Department lowers hiring standards, we'll go back and remind them.
Getting back, we set a date to go to the City Council. Three months in advance. Enough in advance for you to avoid scheduling off duty work, tell the family and put it in your calendar. There was a reminder on our website, a reminder email sent to those of you who have provided us with a personal email address, been in the newsletter, through word of mouth and announced at our monthly meetings. In the October newsletter, I talked of the importance of you attending and the strength in numbers.
I have heard some say that they didn't know about it. How else do we spread the word and who will help us in getting the word out. I'm not fussing, I'm asking. How do you get the word out and motivate over 300 members to attend a City Council meeting?
We can influence the Council. I promise you we can. But we need to work together. I'm not afraid to go to the Chief. I'm not afraid to go to the City Council. If the City is messing with people concerning Workman's Comp, it needs to be brought to the attention of the Council and citizens. If pay is unfair, if benefits are low or if recruiting suffers and hiring standards are lowered, I will speak up. I'm not afraid of doing what I think is right for the sake being criticized. And neither should you!
What are we doing since the Council meeting?
Well, the GPOA is in the process of contacting the Council with follow-up letters. For those who asked questions and showed support, we're offering thanks and sending info. For those who acted like uninterested dishrags, we're keeping the issues before them.
We're also exploring the possibility of starting a Political Action Committee to offer financial support for election candidates who support the GPOA's ideas.
We're becoming more involved in the Triad Central Labor Body. This is a group of all area labor organizations. This will allow us to ask for their support in numbers, the next time we go before Council.
We are looking at the possibility of utilizing billboards to take our issues before the motoring public.
I am always amazed that the City Council, the City and the Police Administration have resisted meeting with the GPOA and hearing concerns from the working officers and acting in a positive way to our recommendations. Their attitude is they know what is best for us, we don't.
Their oft-cited reasoning for ignoring the GPOA is because they don't have to listen and react to us. North Carolina is a Right-to-Work State and until legislation is changed, they don't have to act on our concerns/ issues.
Which leads to the GPOA organizing and growing in strength and pushing for the passage of legislation to allow public employees to organize. Which would in turn force the City Council, the City and the Police Administration to listen to, bargain and negotiate with employees or their representatives.
What can you do? Come to the monthly GPOA meetings, recruit a new member and come to the next scheduled rally at City Council.
Moving on. When do you make a statement during a criminal investigation?
The GPOA attorney says never make a statement, during a criminal investigation, until after you speak to legal counsel. Below are two recent occurrences.
During an administrative investigation, it was determined that a criminal violation may have occurred. A criminal investigation was conducted where fellow officers were interviewed and ultimately had to testify in a criminal trial, under subpoena, against their squad mate.
The lesson learned. Never give a statement either as a witness or as a possible suspect, during a criminal investigation, without first speaking to legal counsel.
The second instance occurred during a criminal investigation surrounding a possible in-custody death. Before a criminal investigator interviewed the officers concerning their actions in the case, a high-level police administrator in their chain of command, suggested the officers should "tell what happened" to assist in the investigation.
The officers felt they "had" to talk to the criminal investigator, because the high-level police administrator, in their chain of command, suggested they should make a statement.
The same lesson as before. Never, never ever, give a statement either as a witness or as a possible suspect, during a criminal investigation, without first speaking to legal counsel.
If asked to give or write a statement in relation to a criminal investigation, as either a suspect or witness, call Bill Hill first. Doing so may force you to become the State's star witness against your squad member.
If you are a member and don't have Bill's phone numbers, email me at summers@greensboropoa.org and I'll provide them to you.
The FLSA lawsuit is still active. Depositions are forthcoming in the near future. It is still possible to sign on. Email me if you are interested.
Stacey Morton wishes to express his thanks to all for support and concern for he and his family.
The GPOA is looking to erect a memorial in May 2004, in memory of a Greensboro Police Officer that died in the line of duty.
The GPOA is putting together a Life Lessons Interactive CD to be given out to Guilford County 5th graders.
And lastly, the annual GPOA Police Ball is scheduled for Saturday May 8th, 2004. Specifics will be forthcoming at a later date.