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.