Page 14 - September Issue

Stop and Frisk
FIELD REPRESENTATIVE REPORT
Well, it seems as though Alderman Proco Moreno is at it again. This moron is attempting to champion the “hate the police movement” within the City Council, most recently by proposing the Stop and Frisk Ordinance. According to Moreno’s press release issued on July 29, Chicago Police Department members are required to docu- ment when an individual is stopped and frisked and it does not lead to an arrest. According to the ordinance, every investi-
gatory stop must be documented.
Well riddle me this Batman.......isn’t this what the Contact Card Push did?
The Chicago Police Department that I have been a part of for the past 20 years has always conducted “street stops” based on the U.S. Supreme Court decision Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968). “Reasonable suspicion” is a key phrase that is drilled into our heads from Day One at the Academy. Police Officers don’t stop people on the street simply for the thrill of doing so. We have a duty to serve and protect, a responsibility which we all work hard to uphold. This goof wants to jump on the anti-police bandwagon and propagate the anti-police sentiment sweeping this country. I urge you all to remember this piece of work when it comes time to vote in the next general election.
In-car video systems
The Lodge was recently notified that inspectors have been vis- iting Districts across the city and examining department vehicles to determine if the in-car video systems are in working order. According to Special Order S03-05, members are required to visu- ally inspect the in-car video system for damage, obtain the remote transmitter/audio recorder and ensure it is securely attached to the member’s person. Please review and familiarize yourself with this order.
In one South Side District, the department came out and fixed all of the inoperable in-car systems during a 10-day period. One can only assume that there will be a greater push from manage- ment to ensure that all members are enacting all of the operational procedures outlined in Special Order S03-05, espe- cially the way the world is moving!
5th district survey/10-hour work schedule
The Lodge conducted a survey regarding the 10-Hour Work Schedule Pilot Program in the 5th District. The majority of District personnel responded to the survey and the resulting data was mixed. Currently, there are two watches in the 5th District, second and third, along with the tactical teams and mission teams. The start times for the Second Watch are 4:30 a.m., 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. The Third Watch start times are 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. According to our survey, the majority of Second Watch per- sonnel and tactical officers that participated are satisfied with the
10-Hourscheduleandwouldnotprefergoingtothe4-2schedule. On the flip side, the majority of the Third Watch personnel that participated in the survey are unsatisfied with the 10-Hour Sched- ule and feel that adjusting the start times would improve the 10- Hour Schedule.
Members as a whole related that the squad policing was ques- tionable and that the concept should be scrapped. Third Watch personnel related that the inconsistency in start times were an issue because, on one day, the tour began at 9 p.m., and the next day you were doubling back for a 2:30 p.m. start. If you have court or any other appointments following the end of the tour at 7:30 a.m., you are going to be one tired individual starting at 2:30 p.m. This could lead to officers getting
hurt because of sheer exhaustion.
Consistency in scheduling was the concern that stood out at several roll calls I attended in the 5th District during the past three months. I do not feel that this is too much to ask for considering the work load in the 005th District.
On Aug. 21, I met with Director Don O’Neill, Chief of Patrol Wayne Gulliford, Commander Kevin Johnson and Captain Michael Pigott. The purpose of this meeting was to relay the information gathered from the FOP survey to the city, and to dis- cuss the 10-Hour work schedule moving forward. The survey results were relayed to all present and the concerns of district personnel were outlined. The 5th District command personnel were surprised at the inconsistencies surrounding the squad policing concept and start times and assured the Lodge that these issues would be addressed. We also agreed to meet in Sep- tember to follow up with any new developments or concerns.
The union also expressed concerns with the 10-Hour work schedule going forward. The Department assured us that they are not expanding the 10-Hour Work Schedule Pilot Program to any additional districts. I hope that this will shut down the rumor banner that read, “10 Hour Day, Coming to a District near you in 2016”. If you have any further questions regarding this issue or anything else, please feel free to contact me at tmcdonagh@chicagofop.org or 312-733-7776.
Coptoberfest
Lastly, I want to remind the membership of the fundraiser coming up on Sept. 19. The Third Annual Coptoberfest will be taking place at Teamster City. This is an event sponsored by the Brotherhood for the Fallen and the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. These are two top-notch organizations that deserve all the support we can give. These are sad times for all law enforcement professionals because of the negative sentiments that have been levied against us as of late. Please attend this event.Formoreinformation,goto www.brotherhoodforthefall- en.org or www.cpdmemorial.org. I look forward to seeing you all there. d
14 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ SEPTEMBER 2015
THOMAS MCDONAGH