Page 5 - January 2016

reports have identified demonstrators as being on the payroll of some elected officials, as well as some others seeking office in the next round of elections. It might be that there are some politicos more concerned with keeping the pot stirred than they are for calm and resolve.
Finally, we recently gave testimony at the council chambers. Our opening remarks seemed to have upset a few of the aldermen who needed to vocalize their disdain with yours truly. Words and phrases such as “exe- cution,” “code of silence” and “Thin Blue Line” are bantered about the council more often for a sound byte than for accuracy. Our members believe these statements are less than fair and certainly not deserved. We felt that it was my elected responsibility to address the members’ concerns and voice their position and to do so face to face. When we attempted to address our position, some in the council decided it was their moment to jump over the Lodge and its President. Rather than engage, we allowed them their freedom to respond. Rather than argue, we allowed them to vent as they saw fit. Rather than try to resolve their inaccuracies, we allowed them to identify their true feelings. In life, it is a good lesson to learn how others truly feel toward you, and the Lodge is no dif- ferent. So now we know.
Were we really surprised? No. Are we gen- uinely concerned? Not really. On a side note, and what should come as no surprise, is that not long ago many of the same aldermen wrote, called, petitioned and appeared before the FOP’s Political Action Committee to seek our support in their recent election bids. These are also the same aldermen who applauded the Lodge for our professional- ism, leadership and partnership (yes, part- nership) for our hard work and commitment in getting the Contract done so quickly and then ratified. Finally, this is the same Contract that they now admit to never read- ing.
Now we know why their constituents have so many questions of them.
Sergeant Promotions Update
Previously, we addressed the Lodge’s chal- lenge to the Department’s intention to pro- mote 13 Officers to Sergeant based on 100-percent merit selections. It was then, and still remains, the Lodge’s position that the Department circumvented its own hiring process by not complying with the 30-per- cent merit limit. To recap, the Lodge contest- ed the promotions by filing a Complaint for Declaratory Relief and an emergency motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).
To update, the court denied the TRO and allowed the class of 13 to enter the Academy for sergeant training, but stated that they would consider adjusting seniority dates and back pay if the Lodge successfully argued its position. The next hearing date in Judge
Novak’s room had been scheduled for Feb. 16, 2016. As the Lodge was preparing to con- tinue to work on the motions, the Depart- ment altered its stance and will hold off the swearing-in ceremony for the initial 13 merit promotions. Instead, the Department took it upon itself to increase the numbers of the December sergeant promotional class to include an additional amount of promotions to reflect the historic 30-percent merit.
We have no explanation as to why the Department adjusted the promotional numbers, nor will we question the delay of the swearing in the 13. We do know that the result insures that everyone will have the same seniority/promotion date. Therefore, Judge Novak will not have to decide the mer- its of the injunctive relief for the litigant Offi- cers. That decision is now a moot point. However, the litigation will go forward in order to continue with the argument directed at how the Department will conduct future promotional classes. We will continue to inform members as this issue proceeds.
Your Support System During Systemic Disorder
Personally, allow me to convey my unre- lenting support and my overwhelming respect to the all Lodge 7 members and their families. What each and all working officers and their families have been subjected to since our last issue hit the mailboxes is not only undeserved, but also quite often com- pletely inaccurate. The consistent bashing of police in the media has been relentless. Notices of Freedom of Information Act requests (FOIA) arrive in our office every day. The level of microscopic examination that Chicago Police Officers are presently under is unprecedented. At a time when social media, FOIA requests and constant exposure to the wrath of detractors and arm- chair experts has become commonplace, it is more important now than ever to recog- nize what our support systems have been through as well.
They might not communicate it to us, but if your family is anything like mine, they are nearly as frustrated as we are. Our families defend us even before you leave the house for your next shift. We need to take a moment to thank our wives, husbands, sig- nificant others, daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends and neigh- bors for showing their continued encourage- ment and assistance as they stand by each and every one of us. The anti-police rhetoric is not only difficult to deal with for officers; it is difficult for those who remain close to us as well. At a time when the world around us continues to point accusatory fingers at police, we must recognize those at home that have our backs each and every day.
On Our Cover
Depending on your perception, the start
of the New Year can take on a different signif- icance. Some believe it is the perfect time to change one’s eating habits or to stop smok- ing. Some will plan on creating a workout program or choose to merely exercise more often. Some might decide on consuming less alcohol. Others might find that the New Year is the perfect time to return to their faith of choice. No matter your personal conviction, the New Year is seen by some as an opportu- nity for a new beginning, a rebirth as it were.
However for others, it is the month that follows December and the one that precedes February. Those less moved by the New Year rituals see January as a month that normally limits activity and forces one into hiberna- tion. Rather than viewing it as a fresh start, others look at it as the first of the three- month countdown toward the start of base- ball season.
No matter your perception of the Gregori- an calendar’s first month, we are largely less familiar with what has historically occurred over the course of the 31 days that make up the month of January. Several events consid- ered as major contributions to our present- day political, social and educational environments are being shared as a way to offer the readers an additional perspective of this month. Hopefully, the following inclu- sions have a particular and lasting value for each and every one of us:
January 1, 1892 - Ellis Island opened: Through 1954, more than 12 million immi- grants were processed for entry into the U.S. here. Once considered to be the “Gateway to America,” Ellis Island and the Statue of Lib- erty were what early immigrants first experi- enced when they arrived in the U.S.
January 15, 1929 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was born: One of the most important African American men in our history is rarely recognized for his support of public sector worker rights. The day before his assassina- tion, Dr. King gave his, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, in which he called on the Memphis city officials to respect the “dig- nity of labor,” fair wages and safe working conditions. The quote on our cover speaks for itself and hopefully resonates in our state capital.
January 17, 1962 - President Kennedy issued Executive Order 10988: The order recognized the right of federal employees to collective bargaining. This Executive Order was a workplace first for the federal public sector workers. Prior to this order, they were not protected under any existing federal bar- gaining rights that other workers enjoyed.
Maybe some of us will look at January just a bit differently now. Maybe some of us won’t feel as let down as before when our resolu- tions fail by month’s end. Maybe some of us just don’t care. No matter where you stand on January...baseball season is only three months away.
Be Safe and God Bless the Police
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CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARY 2016
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