How to Get a Pay Raise in Douglasville – I Haven’t a Clue

The police officers are still in a furor over the slap in the face staff for hiring a newbie officer at a significant salary when here is the next slap. Tonight November 3, 2014, the council has on its silver platter the following item:

Personnel & Organization Committee - Chairman Doug Lequire
Item 28 - 14- 25
Adopt a resolution authorizing promotions and the respective monetary compensation for three members of the Communications Department (Communications Director, Station Manager, and Senior Video Producer) effective January 14, 2014 and repealing previous action taken with Resolution which granted the said promotions and withheld monetary compensation for an unspecified future date.

What does this mean? Well I had to go to the Sentinel to get the scoop. The item give pay raises to the City TV station’s manager - $5300, station manager $4100, and video producer $3650.

The item is to adopt a resolution authorizing pay raises for Communications Director Kellie Hunter, Station Manager JasonPost and Senior Video Producer Steve Jones. If approved, Monday’s resolution will increase their salaries by $5,300, $4,100 and $3,650, respectively. The current salaries for those positions are $53,324.96 (communications director), $40,104.06 (station manager) and $36,407.07 (senior video producer).

Again the employee’s… not just the police officers are left out in the cold on this one. Well, other than one police officer. The salary study is good for certain folks right now not for all right now. Evidently it is a select few not all inclusive as things should be.

There are a lot of promises made by officials of the City of Douglasville just read Rider v. Womack et.al. Douglas County Superior court. They don’t have to enforce promises made they have sovereign immunity.

Until the citizens take a stand for these folks and right the wrongs it will continue on. To the folks who receive the raises tonight take the money and run.

Check out my blog on How to Get a Raise at Douglasville Police Department - Quit and Get Re-hired @

http://patch.com/georgia/douglasville/how-get-raise-douglasville-police-department-0

How to Get a raise at Douglasville Police Department

Cops like to be treated the same as anyone else. They like to be told the truth. They want open and honesty in the work place. They don’t want to be stabbed in the back. They want a command staff they can believe in.

They wanted to be loyal to their chief. These are the same officers (unless they have left) that went to council chambers to show that they supported him in July as he was about to be fired for insubordination. The chief had gone to the news media to show that he cared for the men and that he was doing all he could to get the officers pay increases. Officers attended the meeting and stood behind him and were instrumental in saving his job. He promised them all he would and could do all in his power to get them a raise.

Right now at Douglasville Police Department they no longer have that confidence. You see they found out otherwise… on August 24th, 2014. On that day they were betrayed by the very chief that they swore blind trust in that he would take care of them. That day he hired an officer with 3 years’ experience at another department at a higher rate of pay.

In police work there are house birds like parakeets who call an old IA man with information that you put back on the stack for another day. Then there are hawks who call with information that needs to be dealt with. Well, a hawk called me and told me there was a rumor about this officer and higher pay scheme.

I did the only right thing I filed an open records request for officers hired January 1, 2013 to September 1 2014. There were 16 officers hired. 15 of those officers were hired in at the regular rate of pay for a police officer. A few weeks later an officer was hired who had retired from a highly respect Highway Patrol department with 20 years of service. None of these officers received a higher rate of pay. Of the 15 officers 3 had already left the department.

The officer was hired from a nearby department and had 3 years of patrol duty. The chief went thru the approval process and asked to meet the officer’s current pay. The approval came through and the officer was started out making $2000 to $4000 per year depending upon witch open records you use.

Folks this just ain’t right. It does not pass the smell test. This officer is making more than officers who have been there since 2011. It is time for the officers to take this issue and all the others that they have to the Council. Citizens of the city of Douglasville it is high time you got actively involved with your community. Not only the police department but, with the council. They don’t have any idea what is going on. I reached out to the chief for a statement and I never heard from him.

Pay raises are not coming everyone knows it. It is apparent the command staff is not going to help them – well you can quit re-apply and that will get you a raise. Be sure you ask for the latest special or, better yet get an agent for negotiations it works.

DPD Another Veteran Gone – What Will It Take?

DPD lost another officer Friday a young man that Joe Whisenant and I have known all of his life. Joe hired him because he came from family who had been here in Douglas County for many years. They   helped the community grow and prosper by opening businesses, real estate, and creating jobs.

 

This young man wanted to carry on the tradition by being a Douglasville Police officer. He wanted to serve directly by being a cop. I can’t call him by name because he wanted to ride on off to his new department without any fuss over him.

 

Folk’s this is the epitome of what Douglasville is losing. He has a good work ethic, good arrest record, and all around good guy. A young man who came to the PD wet behind the ears young’un who had a lot to learn about the job the good side and bad side and is on the right path. He is like a son to me. I still see him for lunch with him because I care for him. A young cop needs an old cop to talk with on occasion. I wish I had one years ago.

 

He was hired by another agency and he turned in his two week notice Friday. He was told to turn his equipment in Tuesday morning – after he worked the parade Monday morning which is mandatory to all slick sleeve officers.

 

Why did he leave? There was no where he could go. There were no opportunities for advancement. He had applied for different positons only to be turned down. The only way to receive a pay raise at the department now is to take promotion but, he was denied that opportunity. He was never told what to do to make promotion.  There is a problem there you have to create and encourage young folks. That was one thing Sheriff Lee did to me as a young deputy. That is the reason I went as far as I did.

 

On his final shift he got into a foot chase and ran into a tree limb. He suffered a corneal abrasion to his left eye and when I spook to him he was still in severe pain. That is not the way you treat a guy who has been with you that long particular when he takes an injury like that.

 

Happened to me with them I couldn’t work for two months on a workman’s comp injury when they told me to go. They have offered me $2000.  I made more than twice that. Do you know why they offered that? I am the only one that stood up to them. I lost the first of the lawsuits due to their hiding behind qualified immunity. That was round 1.

 

This young’un still has to see an optometrist. I hope he is able to go on to his new job and not put out of work I was. Y’all give lift him up in prayer.

 

Folks don’t y’all see what is going on? There is a pattern here. There are many stories just like mine and his. Until you take the reins in hand and force the council to go against the grain there will be no changes.

 

You want to know the real tragedy? He is taking a $9000 pay cut. Now what do you say citizens? You have two governments in the City of Douglasville. The City of Douglasville  and its employees and Douglasville Police Department and its employees. They run separately. No one is over DPD contrary to what you are told.

DPD Officers Pay 2013

The one thing that has never been put out for folks to know is how much the officer are making. It is a factor. This came from the city and is open record. This is gross pay with no benefits. Just support the Police Department and hope for a good outcome from all of this.








Officer's Pay 2013

POSITION	YTD GROSS
COURT SECURITY OFFIC	$15,501.20
POLICE OFFICER	$64,185.78
COURT SECURITY OFFIC	$16,935.62
POLICE OFFICER	$57,306.82
SERGEANT	$67,546.69
COURT SECURITY OFFIC	$11,062.20
COURT SECURITY OFFICER	$11,515.02
COURT SECURITY OFFICER	$3,042.80
MAJOR	$87,263.27
CAPTAIN	$78,737.70
DEUTY CHIEF	$87,260.35
POLICE CHIEF	$94,723.39
LIEUTENANT	$70,659.31
DETECTIVE	$59,124.46
POLICE OFFICER	$43,392.02
LIEUTENANT	$69,171.98
SERGEANT	$63,253.68
DETECTIVE	$66,177.06
SERGEANT	$63,736.99
DETECTIVE	$13,012.31
DETECTIVE	$44,590.24
DETECTIVE	$43,495.89
DETECTIVE	$52,431.01
DETECTIVE	$47,594.20
DETECTIVE	$56,557.92
DETECTIVE	$16,395.17
DETECTIVE	$52,940.13
POLICE OFFICER	$46,697.46
DETECTIVE	$55,485.57
DETECTIVE	$48,446.16
DETECTIVE	$43,936.19
CAPTAIN	$81,409.91
DETECTIVE	$47,576.70
POLICE OFFICER	$44,186.98
DETECTIVE	$57,436.41
DETECTIVE	$88,145.90
LIEUTENANT	$66,573.33
CAPTAIN	$72,101.85
POLICE OFFICER	$40,513.84
SERGEANT	$50,772.89
POLICE OFFICER	$41,751.72
POLICE OFFICER	$42,033.87
POLICE OFFICER	$44,071.88
POLICE OFFICER	$21,877.46
POLICE OFFICER	$8,850.05
POLICE OFFICER	$41,137.25
LIEUTENANT	$65,329.61
POLICE OFFICER	$18,324.13
POLICE OFFICER	$20,362.16
POLICE OFFICER	$49,139.50
POLICE OFFICER	$21,707.16
POLICE OFFICER	$42,581.73
SERGEANT	$62,222.55
POLICE OFFICER	$43,362.79
POLICE OFFICER	$48,331.34
POLICE OFFICER	$57,885.60
BOOKING OFFICER	$20,109.55
POLICE OFFICER	$41,084.32
POLICE OFFICER	$33,949.89
POLICE OFFICER	$41,953.74
POLICE OFFICER	$57,618.97
POLICE OFFICER	$54,805.37
POLICE OFFICER	$56,973.88
POLICE OFFICER	$4,576.71
POLICE OFFICER	$41,601.49
POLICE OFFICER	$60,499.16
POLICE OFFICER	$39,954.18
POLICE OFFICER	$39,645.82
POLICE OFFICER	$43,332.19
POLICE OFFICER	$76,355.77
POLICE OFFICER	$26,670.38
LIEUTENANT	$70,257.30
POLICE OFFICER	$3,205.72
POLICE OFFICER	$38,679.29
POLICE OFFICER	$44,144.57
BOOKING OFFICER	$56,610.67
POLICE OFFICER	$56,517.42
POLICE OFFICER	$44,927.13
SERGEANT	$70,426.49
POLICE OFFICER	$43,505.60
POLICE OFFICER	$26,365.66
POLICE OFFICER	$8,392.23
POLICE OFFICER	$40,428.18
POLICE OFFICER	$38,147.03
POLICE OFFICER	$55,083.49
SERGEANT	$61,148.72
LIEUTENANT	$60,294.39
LIEUTENANT	$71,528.04
POLICE OFFICER	$37,227.53
POLICE OFFICER	$57,464.53
BOOKING OFFICER	$42,980.82
POLICE OFFICER	$52,154.35
POLICE OFFICER	$45,971.07
POLICE OFFICER	$59,552.80
POLICE OFFICER	$59,474.28
SERGEANT	$69,945.09
POLICE OFFICER	$47,245.57
POLICE OFFICER	$33,850.28
SERGEANT	$67,622.67
POLICE OFFICER	$61,957.32
POLICE OFFICER	$44,481.03
CAPTAIN	$81,308.68
POLICE OFFICER	$45,056.89
BOOKING OFFICER	$8,982.00
LIEUTENANT	$58,000.88
POLICE OFFICER	$62,954.93

DPD - Shortage of Staff Not a New Issue

Well, all the hoopla over Chris Womack is done he kept his job he is safe for now. All of you are happy you have saved the day and the police department. Pat yourself on the back and be happy.  Before I go any further be sure to read the last paragraph.

I really thought that I helped the staff along as they did a good job on the meeting with the mayor but, I quickly found out never hold out the hand of friendship as you will draw back a nub. So, don’t be too happy.  Y'all been had. Take look back to the last quarter of 2013.  The police department was in a serious crisis then but, it was not brought to your attention. Matter of fact it was quietly put away. The Sentinel ran a post about it and the council knew however, with the holidays etc. it went to the back burner in a hurry.

What you don’t know see or know is since Chris Womack came into office there has been an exodus of folks from the department. Willingly, forced out, or run off.

The first to go were folks over 50. There were three of us. Yep I was in the first volley. Right now I will not go into detail but, I will tell you that you will see the reasons on my case and another in the future.  The three of us didn’t fit the profile of a super department.

Then the command staff slowly weeded out those who did not fit the description of what was wanted at the DPD. Young chiseled bodied officers.  These officers went to the gym every day and fit the superman or GI Joe description.  They were the oh-rah of  DPD or, as called affectionately “Law Dog”

Few ladies were hired during  the period.  To my knowledge  there are three female supervisors at the police department today.  One Captain, Sergeant, and a corporal the only one on the street is the corporal. The sergeant is in communications and the Captain is in the Command Staff.

In any case keeping officers under the current administration has been an issue.  What you don’t know is in the last three months of 2013 the department lost 12 officers. Go look it up. This Command Staff cant keep people. From October to November 12 officers walked out the door. Folks there is a problem and a pattern here. The FBI calls that a clue. There are serious personnel issues in this department. The command staff has been given too many chances. Y'all might want to pass this along. More to come.... 

DPD Film with Mayor Persons

Ya know, when the email first came out about a meeting with Mayor Persons and DPD troops I was really amazed at what I saw on Topix. In case you didn’t see the message here it is so we can reference to it during this blog:

 

“The Mayor met with the Police Department today and basically told Officers to piss off. He asked who live in Douglasville and 3 Officers raised their hands. He stated there are not enough of you living in the city to determine if I get re-elected... And then proceeded to tell Officers he isn't here to make friends. He got visibly mad when Officers asked him questions about the statistics he has about why Officers are leaving and got even madder when they questioned the Cities stupid purchases of certain properties! He stated the Police is the backbone of the City, but acknowledged if the pay study comes back saying they are under paid the City doesn't have the money to implement raises any time soon... Officers began to walk out of the meeting.”

 

I contacted a few folks and ask about it and discovered mixed signals. Most say Mayor Persons took some hard questions and he made some very sobering statements to the folks. No one in the meeting was happy.  No one viewed the meeting as being out of control.

 

I watched the video about 4 times. Mayor Persons came into the room and was prepared for the meeting as best as he could be. Evidently Chris Womack had a box set p for the officers to leave their questions to be answered at that meeting. Mayor Persons decided not to answer those instead having Chris Womack and Bill Osborne to look over them and deciding the course of action.

 

Knowing local and state government I understand that lot that would have to be addressed through committees, personnel, and the legal department. I can understand Mayor Persons stance on this as police can come up with a lot of questions that do indeed take a lot of research. The last thing you want to do in a meeting with mad police officer’s is making a mistake because, take they will eat you alive.

 

The question or statement of that the three officers could not re-elect him he was honest. However, he qualified his answer by saying the reason was each and every employee out there had to do a good job if they didn’t know elected official could get re-elected. I have heard that one more than once in my career. He told the officers more than one time how good of a job they were doing and if they didn’t he would be gone next time.

 

After seeing what happened at the meeting I believe a lot of feelings and emotions were at play by all of those there. From City Management, Command Staff, and officers all were concerned and have a right to be. Everyone in the room had an agenda. Some wanted the study and receive increases immediately, one wanted to know if they were making too much would they lose money, and health insurance coverage.

 

I believe that Mayor Persons was honest and sincere to the officers were the ones making the city look at a new pay plan. They recognize that it has to be done and is long overdue. The officers have brought to the front the highest cost of running a business and that is employees and benefits.

 

The plan we had was to be upgraded every year to keep quality employees and older employees on board. Your starting salary was the most important for the scale. Once hired on you knew where you would be for the next several years until top out. Once at top out you only got cost of living. That was an issue with some of the long timers they didn’t understand that a police officer should be making 80,000 per year for longevity – give me a break.

 

In any case been i have been there done that at the state level and city level. It will take at the minimum of a year to evaluate each employee’s job qualifications and then does the salary study of other cities. It must be understood by all the entire city will be evaluated as all salaries have to be updated.

 

You must hire an outside firm to conduct the study. I understand the frustration there but, if you want it done right this is the way it goes. The study cannot be instituted by the city for several reasons but, territorial disputes, favoritism, and fairness are a few. If you hang on it will be worth your trouble.

 

Wherein lays the problem. Are the citizens standing behind you now are willing to up the taxes on their property to finance salary increases for every employee? My guess is they will.  

 

There was an officer who asked Mayor Persons not being employee friendly. The mayor told him he liked to come up and ride and hang out sometimes with the guys but, the mayor was as blunt as Sheriff Lee was to a group of folks that walked out on him. He was not there to be their friend when it came down to the job he was their boss. If they weren’t happy they should leave.

 

I have heard that speech at every job I have had in law enforcement and if I were still there would be hearing it now. Mayor Persons handled bad news as best he could. However, there comes a time you draw a line in the sand. Either you get with the program and try to be a partner in fixing the problems or you make your decision.

 

A question came up about paying for street lights and other frivolous items. These Pink Elephants have been around for years losing money. Aint going away any time soon. You can start the finger pointing to the Administration of then Mayor Thompson. During his time the salaries were frozen and the city under took a large – no exorbitant land purchasing and grant acquisitions that are pulling the city under.

 

While at DPD I obtained 3 police officers on a COPS that they may or may not have had funds to continue their salaries. If you don’t keep those promises you will not receive another grant. You don’t want that relationship with the Department of Justice to erode. Besides it has my name on it. Seriously there are obligations that you may not be aware of that must be met.

 

I have heard stories from folks about not being treated right and disciplinary issues. You had your chance to talk and I know most of you wouldn’t because of the setting. I will bet you now that suggestion box will be your chance to make those comments. But, you can’t do this stuff without telling who you are. If that doesn’t work use the chain at City hall Mayor Persons made it clear many times he wanted to get to the root of the problems. Sounds to me like the door are open but, they are not going to act on an unsigned complaint. Get with the program.

 

Instead of dissecting the rest of the program it all comes down to this. In 37 years of public service I have heard the same speech – at times a little more flavorful from every supervisor Sheriff, Director, or Police Chief. As close as Joe Whisenant and I were friends at the end of the day he was the boss and I was an employee. I had worked for him at the Sheriff’s office in the 80’s and we had the same understanding then. You all have gotten the attention of the community, your command staff, city administration, and elected officials. I urge you to hang in there.