Page 5 - March 2018 FOP Newsletter

CHICAGO LODGE 7
Official Magazine
President’s Report
FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE CHICAGO LODGE #7
EXECUTIVE BOARD
KEVIN GRAHAM
President
PATRICK J. MURRAY
First Vice President
Martin Preib
Second Vice President
Jay R. Ryan
Third Vice President
Greg Bella
Recording Secretary
Michael P. Garza
Financial Secretary
John Capparelli
Treasurer
Dean C. Angelo, Sr.
Immediate Past President
Sergeants-at-Arms
William Burns James Jakstavich Michael Mette
Trustees
Harold Brown Andrew Cantore Mark Donahue William Dougherty Pat Duckhorn Sergio Escobedo Fernando Flores Joseph Gentile Danny Gorman Ken Hauser Rick King Frank Quinn Carlos Salazar Ron Shogren Mark Tamlo Daniel Trevino Michael Underwood
Field Representatives
Robert Bartlett Rich Aguilar
‘Prouder than ever to wear the badge’
There’s a lot of information that I want to report to members. But before I do, I want to take a moment to remember the life and courage of Com- mander Paul Bauer, who was murdered by a gun-wielding thug on Feb. 13. I was at the hospital when Commander Bauer was transported there follow- ing the shooting. It was a dreadful experience.
I am always proud to be a Chicago Police Officer. All CPD members came together to honor Commander Bauer. When we turn out to honor one of our own, I am prouder than ever to wear the badge.
We also held a Mass at the FOP Hall with Father Dan Brandt on Feb. 25 to honor Commander Bauer and his family. The hall was packed. I know
everyone will keep the commander and his family in our thoughts and prayers.
At our most recent general meeting, the members approved an increase in dues to
supplement our legal fund. There was not one opposing vote or comment.
I’m relieved by the members’ response. I think everyone understands that we are fac- ing numerous entities that are going after us through disciplinary action and lawsuits. Increasing member dues is not an easy decision to make. But frankly, we are spending more than we are taking in, and there is no sign that the pressure is going to let up. The increase in the dues is essential to make sure that every officer who faces allegations
gets the best representation possible.
It appears we are closing in on a date to begin contract negotiations with the City.
The first issue the City wants to talk about is body cameras. As you probably know, we won an Unfair Labor Practice grievance against the City for implementing this program without negotiating it first.
We are working hard with our negotiating team and our attorney to make sure that we get the best collective bargaining agreement we can and that we hold the City account- able. We are also setting dates with the City for further meetings, and I am hopeful that we can get the ball rolling on negotiations very soon.
Another key issue we are working on pertains to state legislation regarding our pen- sions. Our lobbyists are on it and doing a great job. I’m confident we will prevail on this one. I will have more to write about this topic in future issues of the Chicago Lodge 7 Magazine.
We are also focusing on COPA. As you know, COPA ruled that the 2015 fatal police shooting wasn’t justified. The offender in this case was charging the officer with a bat. We don’t know how COPA made this determination, but our attorneys filed a Freedom of Information Request and uncovered some suspicious tactics by COPA in this case. The media, as usual, has come out on the side of COPA.
This is a case we must focus on. I am watching the case very closely, and we expect the Superintendent to do the right thing by not firing the involved officer based on COPA’s ridiculous ruling. d
KEVIN GRAHAM
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MARCH 2018 5