Page 5 - February 2016

enforcement agencies and possibly even from local prosecutors as a way to encourage voter support. Now candidates are surrounding themselves with everyone but people in uni- form for fear of losing support. Not too long ago, the Lodge was inundated by nearly every local candidate running for office in Chicago, Cook County and throughout the state. It should come as no surprise that for the 2016 elections, the requests have greatly dimin- ished. Those actively seeking the FOP endorsement are the true supporters of the police and we strongly encourage members to support each and every endorsed candidate.
As for the demonstrations that are occur- ring in the streets of our city, the Lodge regu- larly receives updates and general information related to the marchers, the departmental response and the overall sense of the events themselves. It was brought to our attention that within the ranks of those demonstrating were individuals holding signs of “revcom,” which could be easily over- looked. Most would take no notice, but one member did. He informed us that when he went online to research this group, he was surprised to go to The Revolution, The Voice of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA. Those who thought the radicalism of the 1960s is over and done with are obviously mistaken. As far as the Department response goes, when the anti-police demonstrators are taken into custody (which rarely ever hap- pens by the way), they are typically released with an ANOV or with merely a warning. Finally, and similar to the generations of those that served in years past, the overall sense of these events are nothing short of completely frustrating for all assigned per- sonnel. While the presence of communists, anti-police rhetoric and frustration seem familiar, the lack of any arrests is not.
Disparaging Comments
The rhetoric, finger-pointing and dis- paraging comments against police are the singular constant that connects politicians. Remarks against those in law enforcement are coming from a population of self-pro- claimed police experts who appear around nearly every corner in every walk of life. Can- didates for our nation’s highest office have been choosing words to further beat up on the police. Some of these candidates are fur- ther examples of those who thought it best to run on an anti-police campaign. During a January 2016 interview, Candidate Clinton responded to a question about Policing in America that we have a national issue with, “police violence...who terrorize communi- ties.” When questioned about his thoughts on policing, Candidate Sanders informed a reporter that, “police will become liable... treated in much the same way as any other criminal.” While on the local level we have heard our own mayor comment that there is a need to, “root out the cancer of police abuse.” We also have a Cook County Board President who felt the need to jump on the police when she stated, “It's hard to
believe...that police...get away with...execu- tions.” Surprisingly, these individuals have a swarm of police driving them from event to event, picking them up (as well as their family members) and protecting them 24 four hours a day.
It is hard to believe that our one Police sup- porter on the national level comes in the form of The Donald. During a recent debate, Candidate Trump stated, “the police are the most mistreated people in this country.” It is hard to believe that someone who is generally looked upon by career politicians as a political anomaly has the fortitude to back a population that has been tossed under every bus from California to Chicago to New York. Whether or not you support him, on behalf of the law enforcement com- munity we really should recognize and be grateful for his support.
Contract Update on 2012-13 Overtime Retro
Although this information was first shared with the membership via an internal blast on our website and shared on the Lodge Face- book page, we realize that not everyone has access to the electronic sources that shared updated information related to overtime earnings during 2012-13. The following is the abridged version:
We were recently contacted by City attor- neys and advised about a lawsuit dealing with retroactive payments for FLSA overtime hours worked during the 2012-13 year of the current Contract. As you might recall, due to the prior administration, their Lodge attor- neys and several individuals who admitted to having knowledge of the failure to timely submit the “re-opener” letter, the City adamantly maintained the position that it was going to withhold “any and all” retro payments for the lost year.
As the present administration entered into the negotiation process in 2014, we were suc- cessful in getting the City to “reset the clock” as it were, and retroactive pay was placed back on the table. However, it remained the City’s position that it would only offer retroactive pay for straight time earned and overtime remained excluded from any pay- out. Throughout negotiations, the Lodge argued for the full amount of retroactive pay, including overtime. After exhausting every possible effort, it was suggested by negotiat- ing team counsel that we accept the $25 mil- lion straight-time retroactive payout and not risk losing everything because of the City’s unwillingness to include overtime.
The present lawsuit cites an obscure reg- ulation in U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) regulations that appears to over- ride both parties’ agreement related to retroactivity. If this regulation had been raised earlier, it is believed that the City would have never structured a deal for any retroactivity for 2012-13. It must be noted that any claim of overtime related to this suit would not have been possible without the present administration’s success to restore
retroactive pay in the first place.
As soon as the Lodge was contacted, our
attorneys reviewed this matter and deter- mined the feasibility of the claim. It is their opinion that because the 2012-13 payment was structured as “retroactive payment” on hours worked, the USDOL regulation arguably requires the city to pay retroactivity on overtime hours. The city’s lawyers informed us that they continue to review this case and will keep us advised on how they intend to proceed. We will keep everyone posted when more information becomes available.
Let’s be 100-percent clear that your (the membership’s) approval of our current Con- tract opened the door for this litigation in the first place. Without a ratified Contract, this case could not have gone forward. Finally, even though the Lodge was not approached by the members who took it upon them- selves to file this lawsuit, if it winds up being successful, let us be the first to thank you on behalf of every affected officer.
Final Words
We often hear that Chicago Police Officers need more training so that they can “de- escalate” a situation. Chicago Police Officers also need more training to identify and relate to the mentally unstable populations. Chica- go Police Officers need more training to bet- ter relate to the communities they serve. Our response to this call for more training is: Do you actually think the Chicago Police Officers all of a sudden don’t know how to do their jobs? Do you actually believe that Chicago Police Officers need to return to the Academy to talk people down or to identify who is mentally unstable? To all of those with ideas of how to better train the Chicago Police Officers, strap on a weapon and ride in a squad car. After a few tours of duty witness- ing how Chicago Police deals with the law- abiding and criminal populations of this City, ask yourself if the Chicago Police Offi- cers need more training or if they need to be recognized for everything they do each and every day.
We have heard that the Chicago Police has been involved in 409 shooting incidents since 2007. What we never hear is that the same Chicago Police recovered 87,647 firearms from the streets since 2007. We arrested 37,408 people for firearms offenses since 2007. There were also 13,039 Assaults and/or Batteries to Chicago Police Officers since 2007. And, we only have 409 incidents in which officers were forced to use their weapons. These are the numbers that need to be heard by the public, the politicians and those who are so involved in telling the Chicago Police Officers how to do their jobs. Taking 87,647 guns off our streets and locking up 37,408 people for possessing a firearm and yet only 409 shooting incidents - we think that Chicago Police Officers know how to do their jobs.
Be Safe and God Bless the Police
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CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ FEBRUARY 2016
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