Page 36 - FOP Magazine August 2020

The rally at the Columbus statue in Grant Park on July 17 turned into a melee during which protestors hurled frozen water bottles and fireworks at Chicago Police Officers.
dialogue when President Catanzara gets an opportunity to speak to the superin- tendent. He can say, ‘Here it is on video,’ like after the Columbus statue incident,” Jakstavich explains. “If the consent de- cree is going to do anything for us, the city is going to have to spend some mon- ey to get us the proper equipment. That’s what they don’t understand. They want all these reforms made, but they have to open up their wallet.”
A matter of time
There have also been administrative melees attacking members. The 12-hour days and change in shifts caused what Jakstavich called a “timekeeper’s night- mare.” He praised 10th District time- keeper Virginia Gahan for her 30 years of expertise coming to the aid of members to figure out the timekeeping gaps that have caused compensation discrepan- cies.
In addition to the Department’s new automated payroll system not being able to account for the extended and chang- ing shifts, many members were left on single-officer posts without being able to take their 30-minute lunch. When they tried to log their shift time without lunch breaks, some commanders, according to Jakstavich, ordered overrides to put the lunch in, thereby depriving members of being paid for that time.
In response, the Lodge has filed a
MAKING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35
As Catanzara requested help from the federal government, he also wrote:
I would be willing to sit down anytime to discuss ideas about how we can bring civility back to the streets of Chicago. These politicians are failing the good men and women of this city and the police de- partment.
Cleaning up the shrapnel of the fail- ings has further motivated Lodge 7 to
speak up and act in defense of and sup- port of members. The lack of regard for officer safety has almost been enough to leave members speechless.
After all, when somebody is throwing frozen water bottles at your head, how can there be objection to wearing a hel- met and clear plastic face shield by call- ing it paramilitary attire? But these are the types of attacks that members can’t take anymore.
“During these riots, we don’t have the proper equipment. I think there has been
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36 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ AUGUST 2020