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....