My December Editor's Note, "Tough Times," addressed the economic morass we're currently in and provided suggestions on how to keep from taking it on the chin. Apparently, the note struck a chord with many. I've heard from a lot of you about your own experiences and challenges. Included in that feedback was a call from Captain Scot Haug of the Post Falls (Idaho) PD and a conversation with K-9 officer Jason Tkach of Tampa (Fla.) PD. Haug talked at length about the need to get a realistic view on what's taking place, noting that some officers are in a state of denial as to the seriousness of the problem and the absolute fact that public safety will have to adapt to the shrinking economy. Tkach told me the editorial was on point, but he had concerns about the suggestion that agencies consider consolidation and sharing of specialized resources, such as K-9 units.
Getting Real
Almost every day, I'm hearing on the news about another police department facing major budget cutbacks. Positions and promotions have been frozen, academy classes have been postponed, and some actual layoffs are occurring in the hardest hit areas. As I write this, clashes between labor and management are taking place around the country. These disagreements are causing deep resentment and, unfortunately, will likely cause many cops to lose their jobs, which undermines the ability of departments to effectively protect their communities.
The source of this friction can be traced to negotiated benefits and contractual obligations undertaken during better times. Predictably, many jurisdictions are asking for employee concessions, citing the lack of revenue to support promised raises or benefits. The position of labor negotiators is understandable: The agreement is in writing, and dollars shouldn't be taken away from those who didn't cause the problem. The first part of the preceding sentence is absolute; it's in writing. The second part of the statement is not quite as clear in my opinion. Cops didn't cause the funding problem any more than taxpayers caused the burgeoning deficit. However, like everyone else, we must be part of the solution. To simply fold our arms, point to the labor contract and say it's somebody else's problem is not only unrealistic, it's not in the best interest of our profession.
Something has to give. If a labor group insists on sticking to the letter of the contract with no willingness to seek a solution, then they give their employer very few options. Because personnel make up the bulk of public safety budgets, positions will have to be cut or vacancies left unfilled. I understand that we all work for our paycheck, and the idea of postponing a raise or cutting back on negotiated benefits has an impact on the home front. But we must think beyond our own self-interests as we go through the worst economic crisis that our country has seen during our lifetime. There must be an effort on both sides to work toward a solution that will keep well-trained, well-equipped officers on the street. Almost all who read this magazine are in a position of leading or training others, and it's crucial that you set the tone for the organization. There are a lot of tough decisions to be made, and I strongly encourage you to confront this challenge in a constructive manner.
Getting it Done
At Law Officer, we're committed to doing our part to help you stretch your dollar. I have asked our contributors to come up with suggestions on cost-effective or even no-cost training ideas. You'll be seeing these in future issues. For this month, check out Dave Grossi's Tactics column for guidance on making the most of your roll-call training. And on our Web site, you'll find two great articles on the subject. Check out "Training on a Shoestring," by Kevin Davis, and "Home Movies," by John Wills.
When you're making decisions about how to spend your dollars, I strongly suggest that you continue to look for areas that give you a greater return on your investment, particularly in the area of technology. Often, these investments can provide substantial dividends. For example, consider automated license plate readers (LPR). Time and again, LPR has proven to be a very effective force multiplier. If in doubt, take a look at this month's feature, "Stolen Car King," on p. 42. You'll learn firsthand about Arizona DPS Officer Dave Callister who has recovered millions of dollars in stolen property, seized a lot of drugs and guns, and managed to arrest more than his share of bad guys. LPR has helped Callister work his area with unparalleled intensity.
Times are tough, and they're only getting tougher. Law Officer readers will play a key role in making the best of a very bad situation. We'll do our part to help in every way we can.
-Dale Stockton, Editor in Chief