Roots of No-Confidence Movement
We were the first to tell you about the APD no-confidence movement and the vote that will take place sometime later this month. In addition to pay inequities, officers have other issues with the 5th floor and the Chavez administration.
A few years ago, sworn officers were given the opportunity to upgrade their vests to an improved model that was rated to stop a rifle round. These vests cost significantly more so a deal was struck with officers to help pay for the improved protection. In addition to added safety for officers, the new vests were lighter, cooler, and more flexible. The latter is particularly important because police work also involves chasing and sometimes tussling with suspects.
The upgraded vests seemed like the perfect solution and many officers opted to pay up to $480 for the new vests. As an added incentive to purchase the vests, APD agreed to allow officers who stayed with the department for a year to keep the vests.
Everything was going fine until APD ordered officers to return the vests due to safety concerns. The new vests were then replaced with an equivalent vest in terms of safety. However, the replacement vests were thicker and no more flexible than the original vests. In other words, officers didn't get what they paid for.
Our Eyes tell us that the new vests were essentially recalled. Since there was no "official" recall, the local vest supplier Kauffman's West would not refund the officer's money and neither would the manufacturer. To make matters worse, officers are no longer allowed to keep the vests after a year's service.
Granted the APD De-Vestment took place on former Chief Gill Gallegos' watch and you could make the argument that Chief Schultz had nothing to do with the fleecing of APD officers. However, you can't excuse the departmental action simply because of a change of leadership. Besides the real leader over at APD doesn't work on the 5th floor at all... he works across the street on the 11th floor.
12 comments:
That figures. I'm not surprised that Kauffman's didn't refund any money.
Another supporter of Marty
I hope the officers stop doing business at Kauffman's that's just not right. I will not spend a penny there ever again.
The vest recalls resulted in class action lawsuits of which the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office took part. I don't know if A.P.D. took part but we recieved $24,000 from the settlement. I do know that many of the new vests purchased in Albuquerque came from the Life Vest program in which thousands of dollars were raised by local businesses and banks to buy the vests. It is unfortunate officers lost money however since the vests were purchased partially with tax dollars and partially with officers money then it would be very hard to make things right with the officers.
Police officers shouldn't have to be contributing to the cost of their own equipment anyway. Oh where, oh where have my tax dollars gone? Nevermind don't answer that.
Yes - Officers should pay for their equipment & weapons, just as a mechanic must pay for his tools, a chef for his knives, etc. The exception would be their patrol car, which they do not keep when they leave.
Being an officer is MUCH different than being a mechanic, etc.
And who gave yout he idea you get to keep your shit when you leave? It all gets turned back in, oh, I forgot, they will let you BUY your gun.
(This is to commit suicide with when you actually find out how you can't live on your retirement, and you start thinking about being a rehire.)
No one is forcing people to be a cop... if you don't like it ... QUIT! Anyways, I thought that was what the quarter-cent tax was all about, but I don't hear you guys criticizing Eric Griego! He is the one who poorly wrote that legislation and then forced it down everyones throats! Oh, that's right, this is the Eric Griego/Diane Denish show anyway!
Two posts up.....It is very apparent that the Dept. attempted to cut corners on your cadet class by skipping the Psych evaluation...Do us all a favor, run downtown tomorrow morning , first thing, and turn in your weapon and badge, hurry man, before it's too late!
Whats the deal with Diane Denish? Is Marty threatened that a woman will kick his a$$? Won't be the first time!!! No one up North wants his trash. He has littered Albuquerque beyond belief-it will take a long time to clean this mess he has left---Albuquerque might tolerate it but the rest if the state will not.
HERE , HERE !!!!!!!!!!!
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