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.