The Piercing Truth

This is right from the dictionary and seems to describe Albuquerque, Berry and Schultz. Fascism (f ash ,izem) noun An authoritarian right wing system of government and/or social organization. (in general use) extreme right wing, authoritarian, chauvinistic and/or intolerant views or practices. Fascism tends to include a belief in the supremacy of one group over another, national, ethnic, especially social strata or monetarily; a contempt for democracy, an insistence on obedience to a powerful leader, and a strong demagogic approach. Compliments of one of our Eyes

Apr 11, 2008

Target Heh - The 5th Floor Fiasco

It's been fascinating to watch APD's PR machine over the last few days. For those of you in the business or just curious as to how it works, this is exactly how you don't handle a public relations crisis. In fact, APD should have fired their spinmeister John Walsh, after his disastrous news conference Wednesday evening.

Of course you know we're talking about the 5th floor's reaction to Sergeant Paul Heh's very public objection to the new APD contract. Their first reaction was an attempt to scare him into silence with an IA investigation. It's a tactic that our Eyes tell us is commonly used by the brass and one that is generally successful.

It's easy to terminate an officer for a violation of the SOP. Officers deal with a hostile public on a daily basis. No one is thankful to be arrested and when an officer shows up it is not uncommon for some to be arrested. So finding a complaint is a simple matter of looking through an officer's arrest records.

This time the threat of an Internal Affairs investigation didn't work because the council, 770 KKOB, and eventually the rest of the media got wind of their little scheme and exposed it. Our Eyes tell us that Chief Schultz spent a considerable amount of time in the Almighty Alcalde's office yesterday morning getting his um... behind chewed and got a repeat performance later in the day when KKOB's Jim Villanucci picked up the story for the first three hours of his show.
(Sidebar)
We've been spending a lot of time talking about the 5th floor. You've got to remember that the Chief of Police is basically an at-will employee of the mayor. As a result, he takes his marching orders from the mayor himself. The chaos over at APD is certainly the result of mismanagement but it is the direct responsibility of the mayor.
(End Sidebar)
Today, the 5th floor brain trust tried yet another tactic... plant a story with The Journal's T.J. Wilham about Sergeant Heh's 2007 earnings. According to the Journal - which curiously has not posted the story online - the sergeant made over $108,000 last year with over $43,000 of overtime.

What Wilham doesn't tell you is why a sergeant in the Albuquerque Police Department makes that kind of money. Our Eyes tell us that Sergeant Heh is an exceptional DWI hound. In fact, he's almost a one man DWI unit picking up somewhere over 20 DWIs per month on average. Since the sergeant works graveyard a shift from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am Tuesday through Saturday, he's in court during the day.

Metro Court schedules trials between 8:30 am and even as late as 9:00 pm. Officers are also required to attend pretrial hearings, MVD hearings and seizure hearings - any one of which a failure to appear results in the defendant going free. In other words, officers must attend all of the hearings. To make matters even more fun, trials and hearings are scheduled by three different agencies - the court, the city, and the state.

Because DWI officers and graveyard officers work at night when the courts are closed, these hearings always take place during their off hours. Guess what that means... overtime and lots of it.

Sergeant Heh is incredibly dedicated to his job and his mission. In fact, our Eyes tell us he's almost a fixture at Metro Court. There can be little doubt about Sergeant Heh's honor and dedication just listen to the interview from KKOB that we posted earlier this week (read/hear it here) or read Officer Aria's post from Wednesday (read it here).

The fact that an officer with 21 years on chooses to work grave says it all. A senior sergeant with that amount of time on can have any shift pretty much anywhere in the department. But this sergeant chooses to do the hard work at the most difficult time of day and refuses to ignore his responsibility to follow through in court or in hearings.

T.J. Wilham's story is really about trying to destroy an APD officer's credibility in the media. Our Eyes tell us that this story was planted by the 5th floor and thus it serves their purpose.

The problem is that in their anger and desire for retribution, they decided to try and silence the outspoken sergeant before they tried to tarnish him. The story has moved waaaaay beyond a contract dispute between senior officers. It's become a story about how the Albuquerque Police Department does business.

Sergeant Heh isn't the first officer to have been silenced through intimidation. However, he should be the last. The only difference here is that Sergeant Heh caught the attention of the media and the heavy-handed tactics of the APD brass were exposed. The simple fact is a senior officer like Sergeant Heh is the type of seasoned officer that you want to keep on the force - not force out through threats and intimidation.

This fifth floor fiasco and public relations nightmare is the direct result of arrogance and foolishness. Arrogance to believe that they had the absolute authority and ability to destroy one of their officers for standing up for what they believe. Foolishness because of their inept handling of the situation.

There's a saying that an organization takes on the attributes of its leader so it's no surprise that APD is being run through intimidation and fear. They've taken on the attributes of their leader - Mayor Martin Chavez.

Sergeant Heh should be decorated for his dedication and honor, not destroyed because he disagrees with an administration that could care less about the employees they lead. It'll be interesting to see what these 5th floor fools come up with next because we know they won't be wise enough to stop here.

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just finished reading the article by T.J in this morning's Journal. What a load of crap!

Here's my take: Thank you, thank you, thank you Sgt. Heh for staying up all night taking down drunks and other scum! and thank you, thank you for following through by showing up at court on your off time and making sure these pukes are put away!!!

No dollar amount can adequately compensate you for doing that. Besides, if that's how the system is set up, then why is everyone's shorts all up in a bunch? That's they way the system is designed and Sgt. Heh certainly did not create or milk the system, he's just doing his job!!!

Sgt. Heh, you've earned all that money by being good police....the other high ranking, high paid administrative-types mentioned in that puke article don't do a fraction of what you do!!!!!

Thanks again Sgt. Heh and you deserve more than what you already make!!

Citizen/city employee....

Anonymous said...

Journal: have you forgotten about a DWI officer back in the day, I think his name was Schultz, and he logged in tons of OT which it turns out he really didn't work at all!!

hmmm....

Anonymous said...

Amen Eye! You are right-on on this one!!!

Anonymous said...

Journal,

Smear. You smeared Heh. I strongly advise any and all law enforcement officers NOT to talk to TJ or any one with the Journal. They will sell you out. They take their spin orders directly from Marty and Ray.

TJ if this story was so important why not name the Commander who is the #2 officer in wages at APD? Oh you say Schultz is #1 and Heh is #3, but what about the #2 guy? Why is a commander making so much money, instead of delegating whatever he is doing? I will tell you why, because Walsh, Schultz and Chavez handed you this story and told you to write it a certain why.

TJ is not to be trusted. Don't talk to him or give him any stories.

Anonymous said...

Should Marty et al., succeed, everyone should be afraid. When a citizen of this country's job is threatened because he exercised his First Amendment rights - we as a citizenry should be VERY afraid; and those young officers who seem to take for granted the rights that blood was shed for by the Founders of our Nation, it can happen to you just as quickly.

Anonymous said...

Take a close LOOK at Ray's overtime when he was a sergeant in DWI. The paper work is still around with a few retired people. Do you want to go down that road Ray????? At least Paul worked the hours he has been paid for.

Anonymous said...

Just because he works a lot of overtime (which many officers also do) doesn't mean he can HIJACK an election.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps we need to look at the Chiefs overtime records when he was on DWI unit.
Hurry up guys, destroy those before someone asks for them.

Anonymous said...

oh yeah, I remember quite a bit, when Ray was on that squad.
What a party that was. Remember the ass't D.A. chick? What was her name?
I.... think there were some pics.

Anonymous said...

Sgt Heh takes more like about 25 drunks of the streets per month.
He gets convictions. I know.
With the overtime, which is less than half of the $108,000 that porky TJ reported( I mean whored)
that's about $140 to convict a drunk and get him off the streets.
That's 300 per year.
That's a bargain for the citizens of Albuquerque, and he does it on 4hours of sleep per day or less.
That article in today's newspaper fell way short for the little hooker TJ.( wow, TJ Hooker)
In fact what the hell does that have to do with the issue at hand?
The bogus IA investigation.
Nice try John & Ray.

Anonymous said...

Jim Villenucci is going to REAM you again today !!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Paul Heh my hero...WRONG...if I didn't have to take 190 calls for service I would also be able to take 25 drunks per month...108,000 doesn't seem like he hurting that much...I wish I was "HURTING" (hahahah) that much.

Anonymous said...

JUCK THE FOURNAL! Slanted media at its best..I wouldnt even wipe my ass wif it after this BS. Lets all say "MUCK FARTY" in 2009, get rid of this creep and his Hermann Goehring-like Goose-stepper Schultz. We all need to say SCHUCK FULTZ and take his divisional tactics with him!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow !!!! ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE
HUH FEELAS. ISN'T THE FIFTH FLOOR JUST A POSITIVE AND FULFILLING PLACE TO WORK. IT COULD BE IF YOU WEREN'T INVOLVED IN SUCH UNCRUPULOUS ACTIVITIES ALL THE TIME.
Now get back to real police work and do the job the citizens pay you for. We pay you, not Marty. Ahhhh.. it's almost 3:00, time to go home.

Anonymous said...

Unbelievable, but I guess we all should have expected this from the 5th floor. Again, I don't like Heh...but for God's sake I KNOW the hours he works, and I KNOW how many DWI's he gets in a month, and I KNOW he EARNED every penny. 4 hours of sleep is generous...TJ is a scumbag....he needs to go write for the Enquirer or some other mag suitable for wiping my ass with...oh wait, he does...The Journal. The fact is, Heh probably has more DWI convictions under his belt than anyone in this state. If even a quarter of the 34's in this department were as aggressive and passionate about 47's as he is, we wouldn't have a DWI problem. And let's not forget about all the extra income Heh's efforts bring the city and state in the way of fines, seizure fees, etc. No mention of that either. I don't like his attitude or many of his opinions, but I'll give credit where it's due. He worked his ass off for $108k, and his conviction rate will prove it...but I bet you'll never see THAT in the journal.

Anonymous said...

You fire Paul Heh, a shit storm will come raining down , the likes you have never imagined.
To Callahan, Calloway, whatever, keep feeding Ray some more brilliant ideas. Let's see what pile of shit you can lead him into next.

Anonymous said...

To be fair, putting that $108K in perspective means Heh works about 25 hours of O.T. per week (basically has two jobs) to earn that much.

Keeping that in perspective, John Walsh makes $85K+ / plus approx $40K retirement all to be the Daytime PIO, all due to his being the only person who went to lunch with Ray back when Ray was a DCOP before he left us for Scottsdale the first time.

SO to be fair; Paul = $108000 for what most of us would call working two jobs
John Walsh = over $125000 for one job plus retirement. Wonder who gets more sleep vs. who does more work?

Anonymous said...

Anyone know the procedure for a vote of "No Confidence"?????
How's it done?????

Anonymous said...

Why is it that every administration starts out good and get really BAD? Ooh its Marty!!

Anonymous said...

Paul Heh for mayor!!!!!

Anonymous said...

If you don't want to take 25 calls a shift get off your rookie A@# and get promoted to Sergeant!!!

Anonymous said...

If you are a 34 don't trust TJ he will run to Schultz with any information that you give him. HE CAN'T BE TRUSTED!!!!!!
This has been tested!!!

Anonymous said...

What TJ didn't tell everyone is that he was in an accident and called his friend Chief Ray Schultz for help. That's right, TJ had an accident a few months back and called the Chief directly for assistance. Now, this is not normal to call the chief directly for an accident. Does the regular citizen get to call the chief directly. No way! So why does TJ???? I wonder what they did for him, as TJ is in Ray's pocket now! Look up the CAD and see for yourself. The accident happened down town.

TJ is not to be trusted, he is connected to the 5th floor! He owes them big for taking care of him on his accident! Just like the Mayor. Why do you think TJ did not write the story on the Mayor's accident? TJ did the same thing!

Anonymous said...

He sits by bars, looking at the parking lots, then stops cars leaving. He'll do this until he gets a couple of 47's then he parks his car and sleeps. Just like his squad. Check the CADs, thy're 10-8 for 300+ minutes just like him!!!!! He makes it to court because he rests during his shift and does not need to sleep during the day. Sure he's a SGT..in title only...he does not present a professional example for any patrolman

Those of you that support him are probably just as lazy and greedy as he is and should retire. You do not respresent what a Cop should be, in fact you are the complete opposite.

He is not an example for the Department he is detriment that needs to be removed just like those other SGT's that told patrolman if you vote for the contract do not bid to my squad. They are not leaders, they are managers just like the Chief is and they are as much of the problem with this Department as the Chief is. For those SGT's that do their job and take care of the patrolman thank you, thank you, thank you.

Anonymous said...

Why did TJ Wilham not write about how much overtime money Chief Schultz made as the DWI Sgt. Sgt Schultz, now chief was the highest paid supervisor back in the early 90's. He made more than the chief back then!

Funny how Mr. Wilham does not write that in his article!

Anonymous said...

"Anyone know the procedure for a vote of "No Confidence"?????
How's it done?????"

A motion at the geneneral membership meeting with a enough members to vote it in. Don't let the associates of the 5th floor (being Ron and company) try to tell you "out of order." Stand up and let them know who the boss is, just have the balls.

When you bend the tree long enough, somethinh has got to give.

Anonymous said...

It's pretty evident no one in the department below the grade of SGT supports the Chief. A Vote of no confidence does absolutely nothing other than showing that a majority voted for it....just like a majority voted for the contract that is now being questioned by those that voted against it. There are no consequences for the chief with a no confidence vote because he is in an appointed position. What needs to happen is the City Council needs to modify current law to have the position of Chief of Police a voted position just as the Sheriff is.

Anonymous said...

We will see who has the balls at the next meeting. Hope to see ya there ladies and gents.

Anonymous said...

Now that this website was put in yesterdays journal, everyone on my block has been reading it! Everyone has come by my house saying how sorry they are that our Chief and his Deputy Chief's are such bad leaders. They all think the Mayor should fire them all.

Anonymous said...

Few post...dumbass poster says if we want a raise then get promoted...That's the problem at this place. Guys/Gals get promoted to get a raise and not lead and mentor their troops. They do it for the money only. All officers deserve a pay hike even if they don't want to promote. A vote was taken and contract passed. HEH AND THE HIJACKERS will have their cry session on thurs and cry some more. They will brake rules that they say need to be followed by saying we should change the contract even though it was passed in original form. Hey... they may even change the whole thing (of course so they benefit the most). But in the end this 13 year vet will not have any more respect for HEH AND THE HIJACKERS than i do for the 5th floor. I voted "no" the first time, but I will vote for the contract (in original form) this time. I didn't like it demos tried to change the prez election years back and I dont agree with these HIJACKERS doing it now....so go ahead and call me names, a lot of you guys are good at that, but the truth is in the vote. Cryin that you didn't have time to read the contract makes you look like a total dumbass. If you didnt read it you probably voted "no", some that did voted "yes" Maybe? ...I 've been a cop 13 years, the problem is not the union, its the officers in this union.

Anonymous said...

A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE APD IS A JOKE!!!! WE ALL SAW WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME!!! YOUR UNION LEADERS ARE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR. ALL THE SENIOR OFFICERS NEED TO TAKE THIS TO COURT. I THINK THAT THE OT ISSUE IS BEING USED TO EVADE THE TRUTH, AND WASN'T IT RAY SCHULTZ WHO WAS INVESTIGATED FOR HIS OT WHEN HE WAS A DWI LT.? IT SOUNDS LIKE AT LEAST HEY WORKED TO EARN HIS WHILE THE OTHER WAS QUESTIONED.

Anonymous said...

this is for the 14 year vet a couple of posts up......You want us to call you names.. uh ok ANONYMOUS.. since you dont have the balls to post your name.

Anonymous said...

I vote for next union meeting we "Winnie the Pooh" coloring books, crayons, "You can learn to Read" videos and a "See'n Say" with contract issues taped to it so Heh and the babies can just pull the string to understand the contract.....Any want to second that motion....

Anonymous said...

13 is not fourteen.....13 is not fourteen...OK...I second the motion post above...I'll bring the "Winnie the Pooh" coloring book...Who's got crayons?

Anonymous said...

HAHAHAHAHAH....Not only can't read they can't count either...I'll bring some number cards to help count the figures...HAHAHAH

Anonymous said...

What is the harm in a re-vote? If it pases again the contract will still go into effect on the same date if past by the council, and if it does not then it's simply back to the bargaining table. But if it was in fact a fair and impartial vote of only dues paying members then the outcome should be the same, or will it??
For those who want to go further the following actions can be taken: File a Prohibitve Labor Pratice Complaint (PPC)against the APOA with the local Labor Board and also file for a temporary injunction against the contract until one of two things happen- 1. Re-vote or 2. PPC is heard by the Labor Board. The last altenative for those who feel that they were not fairly represented by the APOA at the table is to file a civil suit against those in the executive positions.
While at any of the above call for a mandatory audit of all expenditures over the last year or so and see if they have in fact been legitmate expenditures for the better meant of the whole not just a few. I say this because one of the post mentioned buying coffee for SWAT durring a call-out, well patrol is out doing their jobs 24-7, is coffee bought for them? Why not, is one groupor member more deserving than another? Who authorized the special treatment and expenditure? Did the full board know and approve such expenditure if so was a prior expenditue budget submitted to the mebership giving them (executive Board) the authority to spend members money? I have never accussed anyone of wrongful spending but everyone has to question the thought pattern and need behind some of those expenditures. One can only question if that had been your own family's personal limited dollars would you have spent it that way?? Would you have favored one family member over another, or is one less deserving than the rest?

Anonymous said...

I still think the $500 spent at the cigar bar speaks for itself...

Anonymous said...

those must have been some fine cigars!

Anonymous said...

The Union spending is way out of control. These guys need to step down before they end up in jail!

Anonymous said...

I think I saw Paul Heh smoking one of those cigars. I hope they fire you Paul....

Anonymous said...

Go Sgt Heh, stand up to these bullies! The 5th floor is falling apart. You have put an end to their eliteist attitude as you've brought them down a few notches. Way to go SGT! We will work for you anytime.

Anonymous said...

Hey, idiot, I'd buy coffee for patrol, SWAT, K-9, traffic whatever unit, out of my own pocket so it' can't be called "wrongful spending" if I chose to do it. I guess I don't get the rest of your rant....

Remember my post delt with the Executive Board expenditure not personal. The question came up on here about the legitimate use of UNION/MEMBERS funds to make the purchases of cigars, coffee etc. for a few. My comment was for fair expenditures, equally and fairly... not for a select few. If in fact cigars were bought, were they then passed out to all dues paying members? The issue raised was to move the issue to a position of transparency, accountability (if needed), and a pre-approved budget by the membership. The coorelation of the family budget example was for demonstration purpose only and it was to point out that most folks/parents do not spend more on one child (making it obviuos)vs the other child nor should they favor one child of a family unit over another so as to avoid bad feelings, anger, hostilitiy or feelings of inadequacy. I think most who have posted their opion on the APOA expenditures feel wronged on some level and clearly have hositlity over those items money was spent on. So with that said, Did you get your cigar?

Anonymous said...

Oh, OK, I get it...thank you and hey give that poster a cigar!!

Anonymous said...

Who benefited from those cigars? I want one please? Please post on the location I can claim one.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

The point is on every receipt showing a dining/entertainment expense, or anything else for that matter, needs to be justified with a memo. Not a formal one but on the back of the receipt would be a quick not referencing what the money was spent on (i.e. Coffee w/councilor Harris @ raise issue). If that hasn't happened then shame on them for doing it and its time for them to step down because they do not get a free lunch on membership dues. If they abused their position with the cards then its time to talk about other options. The comment about the $500 cigar unfortunately is right on because it seems totally inappropriate.

Anonymous said...

Dam right!!!! a $500 cigar is inappropriate. That member should have to pay that back!

Anonymous said...

With your logic then the 5th floor should have every officer log their miles everytime the drive and stop....accountability!!!!! Stop the nickel and dimeing. There are way bigger issues then McDonald's and cigars.

Anonymous said...

I want a cigar and a Muck Farty '09bumper sticker!

Anonymous said...

If you recall gas useage is monitored so with your logic it is already occurring. Expenditures are a big deal if there is not total transparency in why those expenditures were made. As far as nickel and dimeing goes, did you not look at the credit card expenditure amounts?? Do you actually think that should mean nothing to the membership?? So everyone should just put their heads in sand instead of asking WHY to the expenditures!! Give me a break... I agree that this is only part of the big issue but it is by no means less of an issue, it is part of the whole situation.
With that said, pass out the credit cards because I want one too with your reasoning......Anyone else want one??

Anonymous said...

Nickel and dimeing (sic)? Thousands of dollars in meals and dining is nickel and dimeing??? Get real. If their expenses are legit great. If they're not they should be held accountable. This has nothing to do with 34's and logging their miles I have no idea where you got that, this is about unaccountable use of APOA credit cards and money....our money...spent.

Anonymous said...

Then step up to the plate and take on the responsibility of a member of the APOA...or as you and the other whiners state take on the irresponsibility. Expense reports have always been available to a member that requests it. This is a pitiful attempt to usurp the recently voted contract. Your intentions are questionable...maybe your recent pasts should be investigated. It probably won't though, you'll just keep bitching how SGTs and LTs should recieve the same percentage of a pay raise that Patrolman receive even with the understanding that if there were no Patrolman then SGTs and LTs would not have a job.........Yes you are grasping at straws without having all the facts, make a motion at the next meeting to stop the APOA from purchasing food for those members on call-outs and for the usage at public establishments and see if you get the required votes for passage....you folks are pitiful bottom feeders that probably have a miserable home life!!!!!

Anonymous said...

"This is a pitiful attempt to usurp the recently voted contract." Bold talk from somebody who has no clue how hard they're about to get hit. All this talk about her and she went to Las Vegas? $500 at a cigar bar among other bullshit charges? It appears many of us failed to hold spenders but it will be balanced...

Anonymous said...

Learn proper grammar, and spelling, prior to spoofing your feable threats on this site...or better yet, just retire.

Anonymous said...

Um, Mr. Spell check dude, FEEBLE is spelled incorrectly in your post.

Anonymous said...

Yeah but Mr. Spellcheck is making sure the books are cooked, ooops, I mean balanced!

Anonymous said...

"Um, Mr. Spell check dude, FEEBLE is spelled incorrectly in your post"

HAHAHAHAH! You go, That is hilarious and thank you for pointing it out!

HAHAHA, people are such hipocrits! "spoofing" and "feable" are such big words for such an ignorant person!

Anonymous said...

Maybe I should have put the word feable in quotation marks like this..."feable"..so you 40 year olds (and older) understand that slang has become part of the current language base for the up and coming generation and is recognized by the majority of dictionary publicatons.

This is a prime example that you are behind on the times and will better serve the community if you leave the law enforcement profession, before you cause further damage to it.

Anonymous said...

hypocrite

Anonymous said...

Get back to the point. Your message is degenerating to a bunch of stupid comments back and forth. Anyone who buys the Journal after that piece of sh** published about Heh should crawl in a hole and hide. If you don't like the Journal tactics, quit paying for the rag! Marty, Ray, and all the other fools who think they're in charge STILL don't understand that the world as they know it is gone. WE THE PEOPLE are now taking charge. Give up and go do something else for a living, like wasting your money at the casinos or begging on the street corners. Suits you much better, given your extremely limited skill sets. Marty - better cut way back on the juice while you're driving. I hope Heh catches your a**. I will personally show up in the courtroom for the show and laugh my a** off. Wouldn't even mind my tax money going for your stinking salary if I could be entertained like that.

Anonymous said...

Ha! What a great scenario..Heh pulling over Farty an a DUI!! --Even if it's only in our dreams...

Anonymous said...

I don't think he knows what feeble means much less spell it.