Chicago, IL-While there is little in the way of union protection in Chicago, the cops have a bargaining agent of sorts. Currently cops pay dues for advocacy in labor matters to Lodge 7 of the Fraternal Order of Police. I have to question what the membership has gotten in return.
Years have gone by without a labor contract and when it was resolved somehow FOP has little to show in results. Chicago police officers are undermanned, outgunned, and demoralized as they’ve been reduced to whipping boys for the local African-American reverends and politicians.
Officers are endangered by firearm regulations that jeopardize their safety.
1. Incredible as it seems officers are only given 30 rounds of ammunition for practice per year. Aside from placing street cops at risk hostages and innocent bystanders are endangered over this intolerable policy.
2. Officers don’t have shotguns or carbines to deal with heavily armed street gangs. If the department won’t pay for the weapons at least they could let the cops buy and use their own.
3. If cops are injured on the job and placed on disability the department bars their right to carry a firearm for simple self-defense. Police officers arrest criminals and dismantle criminal organizations.
The criminals affected by law enforcement are entitled to bail, early release and other loopholes that allow them to roam the streets. It’s not uncommon for cops to be shopping, attending a movie or event and cross paths with the criminals they’ve arrested.
We know violent criminals carry guns despite all laws. We also know that cops by their very nature are slow to violate gun laws or department policy. The playing field here is not a level one.
Several officers have gotten behind Illinois legislation that would allow cops on Duty Disability or Workman’s Compensation status to continue carrying their guns so they can protect themselves and families.
FOP lodges, The Illinois Police Association and some other groups have endorsed this effort. Lodge 7 on the other hand apparently, feels little or no need to protect cops by supporting the bill.
Lodge 7 has a dismal track record in the last several years.
I’d advise Cops to discontinue paying dues to this poor excuse for a labor organization if they refuse protect the rank and file cops they claim to represent.
Perhaps it’s time to find or create a new labor advocate that does care about the safety and welfare of Chicago cops.
Cops are afraid to challenge anyone at Lodge 7 because they may arbitrarily deny representation for cops falsely accused of wrongdoing.
It’s Lodge 7 that Chicago cops must trust to protect their pensions that have been raided by the Daley/Burke rats.
I just can’t help but believe that Lodge 7 has shown more loyalty to the Daley/Burke rats than dues paying cops.
If the rank and file cops can’t obtain Lodge 7 leadership’s support on such a simple piece of officer safety legislation it’s time to submit that PAR (personnel action request) form to discontinue paying dues to this outfit.
Comments
I agree they need to jump on this right away.
I'm on disability from the job and let me tell you between the FOP and the CPD all I ever got is treated like shit.
The Mayor and the CPD won't even help the retired guys get qualified to carry so who gives a shit about those of us on disability?
Same old shit different day. Just want to leave this city and state and forget I ever was a member of the CPD. Everything here has to be about politics and corruption including the FOP. Thanks for the support Paul but after watching our politicians in Illinois every year not pass any meaningful legislation for disabled cops I just chalk this up to more bullshit some politicians will jump on for the vote and then I'll watch it never go anywhere in Springfield. Should have been a fireman at least they have a real union.
Perhaps they will change their minds and take the side of the their dues paying coppers. I will certainly be watching their direction on this current legislation.
If Lodge 7 supports the bill I want to be the first to report that. If they have an objection to the bill they want to share I will publish that as well.
Paul being a former member of the CPD and being from this "dump" called Chicago you of all people should know this is the way it is.
I'm on disability from the job and let me tell you between the FOP and the CPD all I ever got is treated like shit.
The Mayor and the CPD won't even help the retired guys get qualified to carry so who gives a shit about those of us on disability?
Same old shit different day. Just want to leave this city and state and forget I ever was a member of the CPD. Everything here has to be about politics and corruption including the FOP. Thanks for the support Paul but after watching our politicians in Illinois every year not pass any meaningful legislation for disabled cops I just chalk this up to more bullshit some politicians will jump on for the vote and then I'll watch it never go anywhere in Springfield. Should have been a fireman at least they have a real union.
AMEN, THAT GOES DOUBLE FOR ME....
I find that a huge disappointment that the FOP is so weak or antagonistic on issues of officer safety like firearms policies, manpower madness and watching the unqualified political hacks getting key departmental policy making positions.
I guess some at the FOP are looking for retirement jobs within the Daley/Burke criminal organization and won’t stop their relentless ass kissing.