Page 12 - October 2019 FOP

Financial Secretary’s Report
Officers’ coordinated efforts help save one of our own
October brings the fall and the changing of the leaves. I hope some changes for the better come soon for us.
I was at the scene where the officer was shot in the Seventh District. Everyone involved did a fan- tastic job. Between the officers who helped the in- jured officer to the hospital and all the detectives and specialized units, there was one main objec- tive —⁠ to capture the criminal who attempted to murder one of our own.
Within a few hours, officers confronted the heinous offender, then reacted quickly and professionally to stop the offender’s vicious crime rampage. This is another reminder that truly evil people walk the face of this earth and the only people to stop them from running over and destroying peoples’ lives are the men and women of law enforcement.
We do not come on this job to get involved in life-threatening events; we come on this job to protect citizens and neighbor- hoods from those who wish to wreak havoc and abuse the weak.
On to grievance updates: A Grievance Committee meeting was held on Sept. 19 with the following results: the committee decided to go forward with four grievances, including one in which tuition reimbursement was denied improperly.
For those who want to go to school using the department’s tu- ition reimbursement program, read the order thoroughly. There have been a few changes here and there, but most of it is easily
understandable. If anything is confusing, or you are unsure of how the process works, call the tuition reimbursement section for guidance (the number is in your FOP book).
The committee then decided to withdraw three grievances, including one that was resolved on the district level. After a grievance is submitted in your district/unit of assignment, the white and green copies go to Management and Labor Affairs (MLAS).
MLAS then does an investigation as to whether the grievance has standing. If something can be corrected, they will contact the district or unit to see whether it can be resolved simply. That is what happened in this case.
If MLAS disagrees with the grievance, they send the Lodge a response and it goes to the Grievance Committee. After we make a decision to either go forward or withdraw, we send a let- ter to the officer. If the decision is to go forward, there is nothing to do except wait for further instruction from the Lodge.
If the decision is to withdraw, the officer can come before the Grievance Committee and state his or her case. The officer can bring whatever evidence he or she has to prove that the depart- ment acted improperly.
If the committee decides to deny it again, the officer can then appear before the board of directors to state his or her case. It is a good and thorough process.
Stay safe.
MICHAEL GARZA
Personal Injury Wrongful Death Medical Malpractice
• Selected as a Top 100 Consumer Lawyer in Illinois
• Wins 98% of cases accepted
• Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability
• Successfully represented many Chicago Police Officers
• Serves on 100 Club of Chicago Board of Directors
Free Consultation (312) 888-7000 • www.injuryillinois.com
12 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ OCTOBER 2019