CHANGES...

Change is an inevitable component of life. And while sometimes it's for the good, frequently it's for the bad. For as long as our current and retired APD Eyes can remember, if there was one thing that was certain, to be admitted into APD's police academy you had to at least meet the 40% threshold on the physical fitness assessment test. 

 

Now it seems as the department is starved for new applicants to fill the hundreds of vacancies in a once proud but now decimated department, there is an unofficial relaxing of even these modes standards. Under the "administration" of former FLETC assistant director Joe Wolf, the requirements to become a police officer are getting, well, weird. No longer is heart and brawn valued, but softness and academics.

 

While the standard of 60-credit hours and/or honorable military time still stands, the physical fitness requirements have been relaxed even further than the 40% mark.

Despite the $5,000 hiring bonus (at the expense of keeping officers with over 18 years of training and experience...you do the math and see if this makes sense) and a total turnaround to flood the streets with light blue PSAs who under Schultz's new policy will be able to "apprentice" there way in as cops (note the typical Schultz lie: no credit hours and no military experience necessary for those that are 18yrs old and track to become as officers via the PSA route...and no life experience), APD still remains in a personnel tail spin.

 

Congratulations Officer Stephanie Lopez!

But on other fronts, change is coming to the APOA. By a two-to-one margin, Officer Stephanie Lopez defeated current APOA president Sergeant Greg Weber and will be the new police union president.

 

If you recall, Weber stepped in to take over the APOA upon former President Joey Sigala abrupt and disgraced departure and arrest. And one of the first things he did was apologize from Mayor Berry's living room. Since then he's broadcast bizarre youtube videos, foolish public statements at city council meetings, and a haricut that rivals Phil Specter in its....weirdness.

We're sure Weber has yet another "soft" landing spot as all he did for his term was carry water for Schultz and Berry. Our Eyes are concerned about what will be done with that confirmed leak and snitch: Ron Olivas? Will he continue to milk money out of the APOA? Will he be allowed to stay even though he remained silent while Sigala reportedly stole tens of thousands of police officer funds?

 

The Eye supports President Lopez and hope that she has the courage to do what is necessary: Fire Olivas and open up all the books and start new. All of our Eyes would love to see a strong rebirth of a unified police union. Enough is enough, you are starting from the ground up and things cannot get any worse. Do what you have to do President Lopez. (Doesn't that sound good! PRESIDENT LOPEZ!)