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ThirdVice President’s Report
Advocate on your own behalf
Greetings and salutations. I hope life is treating you well and that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.
I have received a couple of phone calls from of- ficers needing representation to speak with either IAD or COPA. Unfortunately, we are being asked to give them representation a half hour before they are to speak with IAD or COPA. We are not miracle work- ers. Even if you are too busy or life is throwing you a curve ball, the responsibility still rests with you.
As much as we are willing to help you, you have to help your- self. You have to advocate on your own behalf and be proactive. If this job is not important enough for you to be inconvenienced to make a phone call to the FOP for an attorney, then the responsi- bility is all yours. Granted, there are some instances when officers are being notified the day they are supposed to meet with COPA or IAD. Stuff happens, and we will deal with it.
As many times as I tell officers not to give a statement without legal representation, I’ve been told by officers that they were just going to go give a statement without a lawyer because they were not the accused, and it was going to be a short statement. Don’t do it. Today’s witness is tomorrow’s accused.
Legal Defense will represent you when:
1. You are in the performance of your job while on duty and are the subject of a CR or COPA investigation while on duty.
2. When taking legal police action off duty.
3. You go before the Police Board.
Legal Defense will not represent you when:
1. You get arrested for an off- or on-duty DUI.
2. You get arrested for a domestic on or off duty.
3. You get a speeding ticket in a surrounding suburb 4. You get a parking ticket in a surrounding suburb
When you call the Lodge for an attorney to represent you and you receive a denial because your claim does not fall within the Legal Defense guidelines, you have access to an appeal process. Your next step is to initiate an appeal by calling the Lodge and requesting to appear before the legal defense committee. When you appear, you present your case verbally and you can provide the committee with any documentation that you have. The com- mittee will hear your request and then vote on whether your case meets the legal defense guidelines
You will get legal representation for the administrative portion of either the DUI or the arrest. If you decide to call after regular business hours, it will be treated as an emergency because it gets sent to our call takers. Calls after hours should be made regard- ing police-involved shootings or serious bodily injury during a police-involved traffic crash or fatality. Do not call asking about contract issues after hours — call back the next day during regu- lar business hours, which are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Please be safe and stay healthy. Watch your back and your part- ner’s back.
FERNANDO FLORES
Your Lives Matter!
We’re here to listen when you need to destress from the job
Meeko, the therapy dog at BRAVE Police & Public Safety Wellness Center
Visit the BRAVE Police & Public Safety Wellness Center
6323 N. Avondale Avenue, #111B, Chicago, IL 60631 847-778-9322 • www.drrobinkroll.com • drrobinkroll@gmail.com
Meeko is keeping office hours with Dr. Robin Kroll
Board Certified Police and Public Safety Psychologist specializing in...
• Stress Management Training
• Critical Incident Group & Exposure Program
• P.A.D. (Police-Addiction-Depression) Dual Diagnosis Group
• Day programs for addiction and trauma for first responders
• Individual & Family Therapy • Seminars & Workshops
Also offering FIRST RESPONDERS YOGA
$20 per session (packages available) Register at drrobinkroll@gmail.com or Eventbrite
12 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ SEPTEMBER 2020