As we all know one of our own was shot and wounded in the line of duty yesterday. It was good to see everyone rally and find the trash responsible for the attack. Even with the problems facing us within the department we still continue to show that we are the best in the country at doing our chosen profession.
On that note I will also point out it was aggravating to hear that our brothers and sisters did not have enough vehicles available to them to respond to the scene to assist with the manhunt. It is a shame that a county as large as Cobb fails to emphasize the importance of a well equipped and sufficiently staffed police force to deal with major incidents such as the one the department encountered yesterday morning. What will it take to make our county leaders see that our department is at critical levels with staffing and equipment? Our Chief and Director have certainly made this abundantly clear to the leaders in Cobb but it appears to be falling on deaf ears thus far.
Officers continue to leave for better paying jobs with a take home car and better benefits. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see Cobb will continue to fall to the rear as long as the status quo is maintained. It's hard to fault someone for leaving with the current state of affairs at the police department. We all agree no one gets into law enforcement to get rich but you do expect to be able to pay bills and provide for a family. I have been informed that several officers within the department are watching to see what will happen at the board of commissioners meeting on February 25. One can only hope our county leaders are making public safety a priority.
Continue to support your Chief and Public Safety Director as they fight for the department and it's CRITICAL needs. In the meantime keep your heads on a swivel and watch each others backs. The most important thing is to go home at the end of your shift. Stay safe.
19 comments:
This is very apparent after the unfolding event of yesterday. Officers were shuttled to the area packed four to a car. The officers that worked with the one that was shot were forced to give up their car so that the oncoming shift could continue to look for the suspect.
This TOOK MANPOWER AWAY THE SEARCH to facilitate a logistical shift change on scene. It removed officers who had knowledge of the incident and the suspects from actively searching; just to relinquish their equipment.
I wonder what the powers that be would have us do when and if this event was changed a little and affected some they may care about.
This event affected me and my house. All I ask, and my coworkers ask for, is that the elected and appointed powers that make the decisions for funding and provisions to give us the tools. GIVE US THE EQUIPMENT to protect our community. The citizenry of Cobb County want and deserve to have a properly and sufficiently equipped police department.
I am sure that if any person who may read this would say that if they were the one walking up to that car with the potential to be shot; they would want to be justly paid and properly equipped.
GOD SPEED TO ALL MY LE BROTHERS/SISTERS!
At this point the discussion about take-home cars seems a far off dream. I'd settle for enough cars to handle business within the pct- LIKE LOOKING FOR PERPS THAT SHOT ONE OF OUR OWN.
Here is a little tidbit that might open some eyes, Cobb Police IA have received close to 70 requests for background information on officers that have applied to other departments. Cobb Commissioners better act fast. Dunwoody is hiring 5 now and 7 more by summer. Roswell is hiring almost 20 NOW.
The public continues to have no idea how critical the needs are in the PD. All the average citizen hears is that there was an officer shot, and the rest of the department stepped up and took care of business. They have no idea that officers were waiting at the precinct to go in service or that other precincts had to be raided for cars. Meanwhile, the units WITH take-home cars (STEP, motors) were called in early to augment manpower. This shows what an asset an assigned car is. If everyone had take-home cars, then day shift could have been called in early and joined the hunt instead of having to wait for hours to get in a car.
The reason the public has no idea how bad it is, is because the Board and Hankerson are making sure they don't know. If the public really knew how bad it was they would demand action and the Board and Hankerson couldn't handle it.
Take home cars are great and it would be wonderful if everyone could have one. Be careful what you wish for though; having a car is great but it can be a burden and a hassle at times too. I would say that is a "dream" right now but certainly more equipment is needed, urgently. Remember, those who have cars and are guaranteed to keep them won't see any benefit for themselves in getting cars for those who don't so they will not push as hard for cars as others would. It would be nice if the County would address the issues regarding pay and other things and then the cars could be the "icing on the cake". It will be hard to overcome a decades long mindset by the commissioners and county manager to do the bare minimum for employees.
The media needs to keep these issues alive and in the spotlight, or all this effort will be for not. Our elected officials are hoping it gets swept under the rug, so they can continue with "business as usual." Reporters like Ross Cavitt and others need to keep pressing Mr. Hankerson and the commissioners for answers and continue digging for more information to make public. That is the only way things have even a chance of changing.
We are victims of our own success. Cobb County Officers get the job done no matter what it takes. The community has no idea there is a problem because we do what we are supposed to do. I am proud of all of us for that, and we should continue to perform at that level for the citizens we swore to protect. But, at the same time, they need to understand how much better our services could be if we were appropriately staffed and equipped.
I recall seeing multiple zone 3 officers the other morning riding 4 to a car...a beat up detective car. When one of the persons of interest was detained, there was no officer on scene with a cage that could transport this persons to persons for an interview! Also, have you seen the hidious crime scene van that had to respond to the scene??? I know every agency within a 100 miles is laughing at that pile of junk!
The only thing keeping Cobb County above water at the moment is the fact that we still have so many exemplary officers. With so many of us leaving for better agencies though how long will this be able to continue? Cobb County is failing. A few more years of this and Cobb County will be no different than Atlanta was a few years ago. Don't even expect the police to show up unless someone is bleeding out.
The PD is also suffering from some toxic supervision. I know several officers (myself included) that left over that more than take home cars and money.
County Manager Hankerson knows that a take home car program would be a smart and cost effective way to partially solve the retention issues facing the department. This is something he could implement for the police department only and not have to spend a dime for any other county employees or departments. However, he isn’t going to implement it unless he is forced to do so by the commissioners. To Mr. Hankerson the question of whether it’s good for the department, would enhance public safety, and be in the best interest of the citizens of Cobb County is irrelevant. To Mr. Hankerson it is a question of principle. He is against it and that’s simply the way it is period! He has been in his position way too long and he lets his ego get in the way of sound decision making. This is my humble opinion that I think others would agree with.
The R & R show in Z3 for example, very toxic sgts there!
WOW MORE SGT PROMOTIONS FROM THE DETECTIVE / SPECIAL UNITS! THE UNIFORM BUREAU CONTINUES TO GET PASSED OVER!!!! HEY CHIEF WE PAY ATTENTION TOO!!!! DO THE RIGHT THING!!!
R.L for example has no business being a leader!
Its pretty obvious that they promote from the detectives and special units because they can't lose anymore uniform patrol officers... Just another reason to finish my application for Roswell PD....
No need for name-calling. The point was made. Stay on point.
Amen!
Another shooting in zone 3 this morning. Morning watch was two beats open on this east side where the shooting happened. Officers efforts were fantastic but one perp still got away. I cant help but think the lack of manpower effected the efforts. When day shift units arrived they were stuck yet again at the precinct and several had to clown car it to the scene to try and help. Fortunately no officers were hurt but obviously the county is not learnig its lesson. If it wasnt for APD the second perimeter would have been impossible to maintain. We should be able to handle our business and not have to rely on 15 APD units to secure our scenes.
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