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ThirdVice President’s Report
Manpower, manpower, manpower
I have never been so confused regarding man- power issues as I am today. Our mayor touts the fact that he has “hired an additional 1,000 officers,” thus increasing the Chicago Police Department’s manpower. Tell that to the officers who just had yet another holiday weekend cancelled, in order to put — wait for it — an additional 1,000 to 1,300 officers on the streets (depending on who provides the numbers).
Over the last several years, there appears to be a trend: any holiday that falls between May and September results in a crisis situation for the department, and thus days off must be cancelled. If there is enough manpower to handle the assignments on Pulaski Day and Columbus Day, why can’t the department work with the manpower they have available on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day? What’s the point of having day off groups (DOG) if the department is going cancel them during the time that most officers would like to be with their families? It seems to me that the Chicago Police De- partment is — wait for it —shorthanded! Just admit what every police officer already knows.
Firearms Safety Days
On May 23 and 24, the FOP hosted its annual “Firearms Safe- ty Days.” More than 200 of our members, both active and re- tired, participated in this event, having their service weapons cleaned, inspected and if necessary, repaired. When speaking to each of the representatives, one common term was brought up:
“springs.” What they were referring to was recoil and magazine springs. Each representative stated that these springs should be replaced every five years, or more frequently if you shoot reg- ularly. It appeared that most members leave their magazines loaded all the time. This forces the magazine spring to constant- ly be compressed, thus not allowing it to do its intended task: forcing rounds upward. If your magazine’s springs stay com- pressed too long, this may result in a misfeed of your rounds.
A terrific metaphor for this issue is a pickup truck that has the capability to hold a ton of material in its bed. However, it is not intended to hold the same load forever, or it will destroy the shocks and springs on the truck. A good resource to obtain the necessary spring for your weapons is the website www.gun- springs.com.
A special thank-you to the representatives from the follow- ing manufacturers for making this year’s Firearms Safety Days a success: Boston Leather, Coast, Firearms Service Corp., Galls, Glock, Kiesler Police Supply, Ray O’Herron, Rock River Arms, Shield U, Shore Galleries, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Spring- field Armory, Sturm Ruger and Super Quick Clean Guns. Save the dates for 2019: May 22-23!
Last Health Fair for 2018
The last FOP-sponsored Health Fair for 2018 will be held on Wednesday, July 25 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the 016th District (5151 N. Milwaukee Ave.). No appointments are needed, and the fair is free for both active and retired members. Stay safe! d
JAY RYAN
12 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JUNE 2018