Cazual Conversation
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PCPD union not made in heaven
April 30th, 2008, 10:22 am · 5 Comments · posted by mcazalas
There was a time and a place for unions, which revolutionized workers’ rights and assured them of adequate compensation.
Work conditions were horrid and the unions changed that. It is arguable what their place is in society now. That’s not an argument for here, today.
What is arguable is whether Panama City police will benefit from unionization. And what is more important is whether the people the police serve will benefit in any manner.
They are not coal miners, who can walk off the job for a day, or two, or seven with no instant repercussions to the consumer. Nor are police treated like coal miners by their employers.
We need them, and they need us.
When the issues were unsafe working conditions, financial slavery, intimidation and the boss’s desires carried out through force, the unions served a bigger purpose.
What are the issues at the Panama City Police Department?
Do they feel they are not paid enough? Find another job. That’s what the rest of us do.
We’ve heard complaints that they’ve had nothing but cost-of-living increases and no raises for two years, or something like that. A cost-of-living increase is a raise to the rest of us, and a lot of folks haven’t seen that lately.
Are they unhappy with their insurance benefits? Welcome to the club. I’m grateful to have insurance, and try to remember that when I’m moaning about our skyrocketing co-pays.
Do they have to work too hard, too long, sometimes for people who treat them as if they are mere employees, or worse? We’ve all done that.
Unions were a benefit for the downtrodden. Panama City police are not in that category.
Their pay is not great, but it’s better than most in this area. They take their cars home on city gas, as far as away as the Sand Hills.
That is a perk, one which a union does not guarantee.
They carry guns and badges and power.
Society has evolved, the role of the union has, too, but the perception remains poor, especially in the south.
Is it fair that the city manager makes three times or four times what a police officer makes, or that he is one of the higher-paid city managers in the state? Not necessarily, but it is what it is.
We, as human beings, have a tendency to become complacent and ungrateful. We want more than what we have, and begin to think we are entitled to certain things that really are just granted to us.
We forget how good we have it, and start demanding what we think we deserve, no matter the economics of the situation.
Outside of the folks who have family and friends in law enforcement, this may be a hard sell to the general public, especially in this economic climate.
The only thing I can think of that a union will do for them is to collect money from them. Additionally, why insert a third party - the union - into police officer interactions with police supervisors and managers. Resoluitons to questions and problems will only take longer and a police officer won’t be able to spead directly with police supervision. Finally, some officers comment in the Squall Line about citizen lack of respect for them. This, for sure, will not gain them more respect.
Panama City Police Department - MONICA PENNINGTON was once a PCPD officer - she was part of a federal civil rights violation case - the case ended in settlement to the victim (who was truly a VICTIM) — The final SETTLEMENT to Plaintiff/VICTIM can be researched through the PACER system of the US District Court (North Florida District - Tallahassee was where the depositions, etc., took place - not HERE in Panama City). The case was first filed locally in Bay County Circuit Court (Case #: 013393CA - Defendants included City of Panama City - Pennington was named as a “JANE DOE” DEFENDANT), case filed on 9/24/2001 In Circuit Court HERE in Panama City - moved to US District Court on 10/09/2001 - within 15 days the case was moved into US District Court (FEDERAL) in Tallahassee. Justice can move quickly in some cases - US DISTRICT COURT CASE filed on 10/09/2001 - #: 5:01-cv-00242-RH. This US District Court case was terminated on 05/13/2003 - City of Panama City (thanks to PCPD) settled out of court with the Plaintiff/VICTIM. Wonder how many tax dollars were expended to pay all the lawyers (about eight firms were involved at one point or another) - and to pay the VICTIM? If Monica Pennington was around today at the PCPD helping with organizing of the union, would it be a peaceful movement? This is not a disparagement of the current PCPD Chief or the current workforce of the PCPD - simply a reminder that not all of the PCPD officers necessarily deserve a salary increase simply because they want to join a union!! In case you’re wondering who MONICA PENNINGTON is - she is the Florida Dept of Corrections Officer who shot and killed Camilla Merville June 18, 2007. The family of the victim (Via high profile attorney Bob Kerrigan) has given notice to the FL DOC AND Pennington that litigation will be commenced - the figure of $5 millon dollars (for the dead woman’s six-year old son) has been stated in the News Herald (click on http://www.newsherald.com - then type in monica pennington in the space provided) for the complete details of April 28, 2008, front page news story. This story would lead one to think that the current State Attorney’s office assisted in the “circling of the wagons by law enforcement” to protect “one of it’s own”, namely Monica Pennington. By the way, our present State Attorney, Steve Meadows, got his start at the Panama City Police Department according to his campaign website. Are these two FORMER PCPD employees shining examples for the PCPD? What will the “UNIONIZING OF PCPD” cost the taxpayers?
^^^^^^^^What the hell is he rambling about? Caz, your comments on unionization are right on the money. Run for president brother, I’ll vote for you.
Hey look a member of management at the News Herald saying unions are bad. Huh, I’m sure he’s only looking out for the best interests of the PCPD.
Caz, you need some perspective. I challenge you to do some all night ride-alongs with a few of PCPD’s finest. Maybe that’ll change your tune.
Copguy. I did ridealongs with the PCPD, and other agencies, albeit a long time ago. Hundreds and hundreds. That’s why the argument of, “You just don’t understand what a cop goes through,” does not work with me. I’ve fought with them, had guns pointed at us, was present on drug buys and stings, sat through homicide interviews, did foot chases on Candy Corner back in the day when Town East was good for at least one major 100-plus-person disturance a weekend during football season. I know it’s hard. That’s why I stuck with something else.