Page 9 - January 2021

First Vice President’s Report
We are working hard for what lies ahead
As we look forward to what we all hope and be- lieve will be a safer, rewarding, successful year for Chicago Lodge 7 and its members, I am caught in the whirlwind of emotion and craziness all around, just like you. Having been through the wringer during my career, I can air, share and val- idate some of the issues that have bugged us all year.
We have seen so much change in such a short time since COVID hit, and especially since the last weekend of May, when all hell broke loose. It spiraled out of control from there, reaching some of the worst shooting and homicide numbers since 2016, when we had more than 800
homicides.
After adjustments, it could top 800, and that’s in addition to
more than 4,000 people shot in the city. Yet all the media and the mayor are talking about is bad police and how we need reform. Why are they never talking about how we’re going to reform society in and of itself to act more along mainstream lines of civility?
We’re still sitting here three and a half years without a con- tract, while every other major department all got their con- tracts. We just seem to be the whipping boy, for a lack of a bet- ter term.
And it just seems to be continuing with the mayor possi- bly lying about the search warrant video. She knew about that video, but it looks like they’re going to try to scapegoat these officers when they knew for almost two years about this video and this incident.
Nobody seemed to think much of it until she got caught ly- ing. Then all of a sudden, it’s a huge issue, a huge deal. And, once again, they are using us as their punching bag when they find themselves in political trouble.
But I think our members have proven more than ever this past year that they are too legit to quit. And we’re going to work our asses off to make sure we represent them well enough and help them out as best we can, when we can. We have their backs because nobody else does.
I’ve gone through adversity throughout my career, and it motivates me to help other officers when they’re in tight spots. If it’s making phone calls and talking to people, either in BIA or COPA or other Department members, we will try to work things out for a more positive outcome in situations that oth- erwise might seem a little more bleak.
I think with the new administration we have here at Lodge 7, it was perfect timing for the spit storm that happened this year. Our membership needs fighters and leaders more now
than in the 17-plus years that I’ve been on this Department. And I’m glad that we’re the ones that are up here and fighting for the membership.
Hopefully, you have seen the little things we have been doing here and there. For people who are having issues with bosses in districts or in areas, we are getting in contact with those commanders and lieutenants to work out amenable ac- commodations for these officers.
I think we’ve have built a better relationship with 35th street, BIA and even COPA. I mean, one of the first things we did, President John Catanzara sat down with Sydney Roberts from COPA to tell them we’re all working together in a way that we’re going to be in contact with each other a lot.
And we should be able to make phone calls, sit down to talk and work things out so that it’s not an us-versus-them kind of attitude, even though it probably will always be that way. Those are backchannels we can use, and I think we’ve done a good job of establishing those channels during the past eight months.
During that time, members have seen the type of experience our administration has brought to the Lodge. And because of that experience, I think we care that much more about what’s happening.
I worked the NATO detail, so I knew exactly what these offi- cers went through over the summer. It was hard to listen to it on the radio and not be a part of it. This is the first time in my career where I’m not on the street or in a capacity to be on the street, but it just keeps the motivation to push forward and to keep fighting for the membership.
It has amazed me, with all the adversity that we have faced, that members are still out there making traffic stops, going to guns calls and shots-fired calls, still wanting to do the best they can to try to make some kind of difference in the districts and the units. I mean, it’s a true testament to just how strong this Department really could be, and it is when we stick together.
On a personal level, I want to let members know that I love talking with them when they call here. I miss being out on the street, and I miss the camaraderie in each district, each unit.
As we move forward in what we hope will be a safer, re- warding, more successful 2021, I just want them to know that they’re always on our minds and we are there for them. If they ever need anything, we have an open door. Come in or call anytime, any day of the week, and we’ll be there for you.
MICHAEL METTE
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARY 2021 9