Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 406 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: APRIL 2016 M embers of the C l e v e l a n d Police Patrol- men’s Asso- ciation have voted to have money deducted from their paychecks to support six officers who were fired for their roles in a 2012 police chase. Members who are sworn officers will have $20 de- ducted per paycheck and other members will have $15 deducted. The Cleveland Division of Police recently terminat- ed the six officers and dis- ciplined six more for their actions during a chase that ended with the shooting deaths of two suspects. One of the officers in- volved in that pursuit was Michael Brelo. He was acquitted on manslaughter charges about a year ago. According to the report, the deductions mean that the six fired officers will get $2500 per month from the donations. A larger amount, $10,300 per month generated through the pay deduc- tions, will go into what the union is calling a “Wrong- ful Termination Account.” In a memo to mem- bers, association leaders explained that this would serve as a rainy day fund for officers who get fired in the future. “The account will allow us to help take care of our members who were fired without just cause as well as their families,” union president Steve Loomis told FOX 8. “The children of these officers will not be made to suffer due to the weak-kneed and politi- cally-motivated decisions made by Safety Director Michael McGrath and the city. There will be no can- celled dance classes or empty cupboards.” It’s unclear if this is a Pay deducted for the cause Association members agree to ante up for cops fired after deaths temporary measure or a new way of doing business entirely. The union has ap- pealed the terminations of the six officers but if that effort fails it’s conceivable that the paycheck deduc- tions could be permanent. Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association President Steve Loomis got his members to agree to make the sacrifice. There appears to be some- thing of a record keeping/ paperwork crisis occurring in some law enforcement agencies. In the small town of Springfield, Louisiana, the problem has reached crisis levels. Unfortunately the issues with records are only one of the serious problems facing the agency. According to an article in “The Advocate,” audi- tors found during a recent investigation that no one keeps track of officers’ ticket books. “The Town does not have proper procedures to assure all tickets are returned and accounted for,” states the audit, prepared by Latuso and Johnson CPA, LLC. It’s been a rocky few years at the small agency. Chief Jimmy Jones agreed to step down last year when he pleaded guilty to de- stroying documents of a subordinate’s DUI arrest as a favor to a friend of the former mayor. Jones made a deal with prosecutors that meant no jail time. But then the town’s board of aldermen rein- stated Jones last December. The alderman said that they didn’t think reinstating the chief would technically violate the terms of his plea deal. While Jones’ case was playing out in court, the town appointed an acting chief. Paperwork a growing problem for agencies New Hampshire State Rep: ‘The Pope Is the Anti-Christ!’ She doesn’t need to be forgiven for such blasphemy, though. The truly crazy know not what they do – or say. To learn more, visit your local Smith & Warren dealer or visit www.SmithWarren.com Badges Insignia Medals Awards Collar Insignia Nameplates Challenge Coins Pins Accessories Contact@SmithWarren.com Ph: 914.948.4619 Fax: 914.948.1627 Design your badge online /smithandwarren @SmithnWarren Trust Smith & Warren for a badge that reflects your department’s identity It’s not JUST a BADGE