So now we're short 5 officers.

[Checkman]

So in one short six week period period we've had five slots open up. Meaning that we're five officers short and that the FTO's (to include me) are going to be up to our eyeballs in newbies in a very short while. Three days ago an officer with twelve years walked into the department and told the Chief he was quitting and that his stuff was in the locker. He walked out. Nothing else laid on, no college education to fall back on, a family to support and all in a recession. Okay.

That officer and two others were all ahead of me in seniority. Approximately 38 years of experience ( all three of them combined) just walked out of the door. I have nine years now and I'm so far up the ladder that I would have to murder somebody to get kicked out. We bid for our shifts and we go by seniority. I'm now the most senior officer (not counting supervisors who have their own shift bid process) on patrol. Meaning I get to go before everyone else. Wow.

Oh and in October we get a grant that will provide us with funding to hire two additional officers. So we FTO's are going to be very busy. Guess I'll just have to get used to the front passenger seat for the next few months.

Feel sorry for me? I sure do.

[MacLean]

So why are people leaving?

[pgg]

So why are people leaving?

Thats what I was wondering... is something going on? Morale low, admin problems?

[Checkman]

We've never been paid as high as the other departments in the valley that are comprable to us in size. Our city is more residential and dosen't have the tax base that the other cities have. Over the past couple years they've made big strides to improve our pay and if you compare our pay to the state average we're way above that. But my department is often used by younger guys as a way to get a few years of experience and then they jump ship for places like Boise.

We did have an officer come back to us after ten years with Seattle PD. He says that while pay isn't as high our department has alot going for it, but it took him a decade in the big city to realize that.

All in all I don't know. Sure there are times I get frustrated, but then don't we all? If I had all the answers I guess I would be the Emperor of the World.

[Car 4]

Checkman....would we be talking about a big guy...tall, dark hair and a mustache....used to work around the Seattle Center on a bicycle?


Car 4

[Morris]

The agency Mac and I work for was known as a farm club for the county system. Guys would get on, do two years, then lateral. Know the feeling.

[Checkman]

Checkman....would we be talking about a big guy...tall, dark hair and a mustache....used to work around the Seattle Center on a bicycle?


Car 4

You know Jack? A small world isn't it?

[Checkman]

The agency Mac and I work for was known as a farm club for the county system. Guys would get on, do two years, then lateral. Know the feeling.

That's a good comparison. Never thought of it that way. Me? Well I'm almost 42 and I've put down roots. I don't want to go through all the hoop jumping anymore. It wasn't all that much fun nine years ago but I had responsibilities and I had waited ten years to become a cop. I wasn't going to flunk out. No way. But I swore that once all the entry and rookie stuff was done I was staying put. And so here I am. But I also realize that most folks don't look at things that way and I've always been something of a dinosaur. Very conservative.

[MacLean]

You know Jack? A small world isn't it?

Our name is Jack. Small world.

I think he was thinking of a guy I served with. He's still SPD.

[Checkman]

Ahhhh. Oh well. It's still a small world at times.

[MacLean]

Ahhhh. Oh well. It's still a small world at times.

I could be wrong - he could know your Jack.

He ran the security detail in a well known establishment there for a bit.

Car 4 is my dad, if you hadn't caught on.

[Checkman]

Nope went right by me. My excuse is that it's late.

[Jenna]

You know Jack? A small world isn't it?

Our name is Jack. Small world.

I could be wrong - he could know your Jack.

You don't know Jack?

[Checkman]

I knew somebody was going to do that. I just knew it. Thank you Jenna.

[Jenna]

I knew somebody was going to do that. I just knew it. Thank you Jenna.

I never let an obvious joke go unmade!

[jmur5074]

Can't say I feel sorry for you.

We could probably use 5 more officers than we already have, and at the moment we're two short with no new positions in the 09 budget, and no federal funding (we didn't get a COPS grant). We've got another one retiring in December. It's could get rough.

[Checkman]

Can't say I feel sorry for you.

We could probably use 5 more officers than we already have, and at the moment we're two short with no new positions in the 09 budget, and no federal funding (we didn't get a COPS grant). We've got another one retiring in December. It's could get rough.

Yep.

[Checkman]

Checkman....would we be talking about a big guy...tall, dark hair and a mustache....used to work around the Seattle Center on a bicycle?


Car 4

Jack says hello. Wish I could work for you. Excellent pay it sounds like.

[Car 4]

Jack says hello. Wish I could work for you. Excellent pay it sounds like.

Well, I was paying between $50.00 and $100.00 per hour to get the right kind of people. We are/were a world class kinda place and the right kind of coppers was a must. Jack and his partner were and are great folks.

I have since retired for good but miss those guys.


Car 4