Until March, do we part...
The PE had a fascinating article about whether or not the city and the state were going to end their five-year shotgun marriage on schedule on March 6, 2005.
Will they or won't they?
***registered site***
Interesting study on the characters that populate the fabric which began stitching itself back together after being ripped apart by the tragic shooting of Tyisha Miller in December 1998. The police brass and union so rarely on the same page, or same side of a court battle actually agree on the contention that the reforms are over and done with and it's time for Bill Lockyer and co. to roll up the carpets and head on back North. Fascinating metaphor indeed.
The community members are all on an advisory board handpicked by the chief himself in 2001. All but one says "We have more work to do...but we're done...maybe."
Woodie Rucker-Hughes and Chani Beeman make good points in their comments, but their comments mirror the assertion Beeman made about the relationship between the community and its police force, being "schitzophrenic".
The other, Michael Crichton, a former law enforcement officer, is more blunt with his remarks. He chose to go a different route and say, show me the money, which could be akin to challenging whether the emperor has no clothes! Not an easy choice, but a brave one.
But it has been on the minds of many including those who were not invited to participate in any meaningful way in the department's reform process. Now that the gala is coming to a close, those invites will not be forthcoming. And if you contest the end of the forced marriage between the city of Riverside and the state, well then you are one of two things depending on whom you ask.
1) an igorant person who can not tell the difference between a court-mandated document and a booklet with glossy pages.
****pssst, it has something to do with the Strategic Plan****
2) a chronic liar.
2.5) a complainer who is not doing the work
Words that surely would soothe the minds of those who are not entirely convinced that this marriage of convenience is ready to end? Whether they do or they do not, is beside the point. It matters little what the communities in Riverside most impacted by the problems(sorry Kevin) in the police department express doubts, or want to see proof that change has indeed occurred.
excerpts from the cast :
BRAD HUDSON: views the stipulated agreement as a business deal he does not wish to see go sour.
City Manager Brad Hudson said, "This council and these taxpayers have spent almost $20 million on this. ... We're gonna get better and bigger and do more."
Maybe open up some more franchises of McRPD??? Money matters of course, but this stipulated judgement was about people. That is how it should remain in its waning days and beyond into the future. The future of course remains unwritten.
CHIEF RUSS LEACH:
Police Chief Russ Leach said, "I know there's some well-meaning people in the community who have concerns." But, he added, the consent decree has been a huge investment.
"Overnight we're not going to turn into ... reckless cowboys," Leach said.
Leach said he doesn't expect to continue the annual traffic-stop study, which is used to determine if racial profiling exists within the department, but aside from that, nothing will change.
"How do we convince them that we won't just roll up the carpets and go home?" Leach asked.
His answer: Read the strategic plan, which lays out department goals through 2009.
"People don't seem to understand -- that's a court-ordered document," Leach said. "We didn't just throw a bunch of words out in a glossy little book."
RPOA President Pat McCarthy:
Pat McCarthy, president of the Riverside police union, said it's unfair for people who haven't been involved in the reform process to point fingers.
While the union certainly didn't welcome the consent decree with open arms, McCarthy said, the department has thrived in the years since it has been in place.
"People are gonna cry wolf no matter what," McCarthy said. "I'm ready to move on."
Put it in the history books, the police chief and the RPOA president in agreement on an issue. So maybe after this current marriage is annulled, these two parties will run off and elope. Then the city's residents can wait and see how this pairing works out, before we throw our rice.
Will they or won't they?
***registered site***
Interesting study on the characters that populate the fabric which began stitching itself back together after being ripped apart by the tragic shooting of Tyisha Miller in December 1998. The police brass and union so rarely on the same page, or same side of a court battle actually agree on the contention that the reforms are over and done with and it's time for Bill Lockyer and co. to roll up the carpets and head on back North. Fascinating metaphor indeed.
The community members are all on an advisory board handpicked by the chief himself in 2001. All but one says "We have more work to do...but we're done...maybe."
Woodie Rucker-Hughes and Chani Beeman make good points in their comments, but their comments mirror the assertion Beeman made about the relationship between the community and its police force, being "schitzophrenic".
The other, Michael Crichton, a former law enforcement officer, is more blunt with his remarks. He chose to go a different route and say, show me the money, which could be akin to challenging whether the emperor has no clothes! Not an easy choice, but a brave one.
But it has been on the minds of many including those who were not invited to participate in any meaningful way in the department's reform process. Now that the gala is coming to a close, those invites will not be forthcoming. And if you contest the end of the forced marriage between the city of Riverside and the state, well then you are one of two things depending on whom you ask.
1) an igorant person who can not tell the difference between a court-mandated document and a booklet with glossy pages.
****pssst, it has something to do with the Strategic Plan****
2) a chronic liar.
2.5) a complainer who is not doing the work
Words that surely would soothe the minds of those who are not entirely convinced that this marriage of convenience is ready to end? Whether they do or they do not, is beside the point. It matters little what the communities in Riverside most impacted by the problems(sorry Kevin) in the police department express doubts, or want to see proof that change has indeed occurred.
excerpts from the cast :
BRAD HUDSON: views the stipulated agreement as a business deal he does not wish to see go sour.
City Manager Brad Hudson said, "This council and these taxpayers have spent almost $20 million on this. ... We're gonna get better and bigger and do more."
Maybe open up some more franchises of McRPD??? Money matters of course, but this stipulated judgement was about people. That is how it should remain in its waning days and beyond into the future. The future of course remains unwritten.
CHIEF RUSS LEACH:
Police Chief Russ Leach said, "I know there's some well-meaning people in the community who have concerns." But, he added, the consent decree has been a huge investment.
"Overnight we're not going to turn into ... reckless cowboys," Leach said.
Leach said he doesn't expect to continue the annual traffic-stop study, which is used to determine if racial profiling exists within the department, but aside from that, nothing will change.
"How do we convince them that we won't just roll up the carpets and go home?" Leach asked.
His answer: Read the strategic plan, which lays out department goals through 2009.
"People don't seem to understand -- that's a court-ordered document," Leach said. "We didn't just throw a bunch of words out in a glossy little book."
RPOA President Pat McCarthy:
Pat McCarthy, president of the Riverside police union, said it's unfair for people who haven't been involved in the reform process to point fingers.
While the union certainly didn't welcome the consent decree with open arms, McCarthy said, the department has thrived in the years since it has been in place.
"People are gonna cry wolf no matter what," McCarthy said. "I'm ready to move on."
Put it in the history books, the police chief and the RPOA president in agreement on an issue. So maybe after this current marriage is annulled, these two parties will run off and elope. Then the city's residents can wait and see how this pairing works out, before we throw our rice.
posted by Five Before Midnight | 4:04 PM
8 Comments:
Pat McCarthy is a company man with the company plan..Worthless...Dave Martin For RPOA President
Union representation is your right, and you pay your well-earned money to it through dues. Your representatives should be aware of this, and their actions should reflect this every step of the way. Salary negotiations. Complaint or grievance representations. Safe working conditions and good health benefits and retirements.
If you are not satisfied, talk to your leadership. If they are not responsive, then find alternatives to elect. Easier than said, with most unions, reality.
You also have a vote, and you have a voice and a mind. Exercise these things if you are not satisfied with what you see.
Dave Martin is a disgruntled Long Beach PD washout who thinks all things are wrong....Pat McCarthy for Re-election!
Dear Closeted cop:
If Mr. Martin was a "washout", how did he end up at the RPD? That would not say much for our agency or the people in it now, would it? With Leach saying "the best of the best" and all that.
What do you think makes a "good" officer? Do you think there are avenues for officers to pursue when they believe there are problems?
Do you believe the policy regarding lateral hires should be changed, if as you say, "washouts" are coming into the agency?
After all, you have to work with them.
They have hired some really good people during the past three or four years, in this department. But the new hires do have an advantage. They do know what they are getting themselves into ahead of time, with the consent decree, civilian review and all that.
Laterals of all agencies are supposed to be looked at closely after all. For good reason, as many as the reasons offered by officers for leaving their current agencies.
Regarding the Martin v McCarthy race...
Sounds like an interesting election! Much better than the usual coronation. It will make candidates work harder for votes, and clarify their positions on issues better. It will probably be more interesting than the city election, well except the Mayor's race.
good luck in the campaign trail,
Why would we re-elect Pat? He has let the Admin walk all over us so he could get his Sgt Stripes. He continues to let them walk over us because he is on Sgt probation. Pat...you got what you wanted. Now let someone who really cares about troop wellfare, not his golf handycap step in and fix all this BS. Pat...what have you done as RPOA Pres? You'll say "I got you two raises"...BFD...You suck Pat.
DAVE MARTIN for RPOA Pres...He's the only choice..Tut wants to be a Sgt too.
Kent Tutwiler's running? Wow, sounds like it's a horse race there.
What's his platform?
What is Martin's?
McCarthy's two raises weren't during easy times and that should be considered, but if you're frustrated, then you do have the right to look elsewhere, though you should express your frustrations on issues and decision making to your current leadership first. That's the fair thing to do and that's what they are there for. Every once in a while, one's leadership just needs to be reminded of that. If that fails, then take your vote elsewhere.
Also during McCarthy's tenure, One law suit was filed against the city so that should be included on his list, from your perspective as an officer who was a member of the Plaintiff organization. The settlement between your union and the city favored your union. Not sure how that benefitted the city's residents but it helped you and other members of your organization.
Still, sometimes it's time for a change and that must be weighed as it is in local city politics.
Labor and management are traditionally at odds, and perhaps always will be. Though having the same chief for five years straight is a novelty.
This election process is beginning to sound similiar to this year's city elections. Lots of contenders, which means lots of perspectives on crucial issues which is always a very important part of the democratic process. This is good for the membership of your labor organization and very healthy because you have choice, and it's your choice to make. A vote is power.
Labor organizations are very important including this one, but they only work if you work them. Lots of issues out there. PERS retirements, death benefits being cut or reduced, salaries and benefits. Prop. 75. Your leadership has its work cut out for it, in terms of maintaining these things so it needs to be chosen by those it represents.
Your leadership is your voice in labor negotiations and other matters including election campaigns. Do your campaigns. Cast your vote, then pat yourself on the back for participating in an important process...
Wow Mary you sound like a totally different person on this last comment. What gives?? You actually sound like a normal human being.
Dear Closeted Cop:
Human, means agreeing with you, right? Hmmm... a rather narrow minded view of the world. LOL.
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