The following articles appear in the
current monthly FOP newsletter.
By Mark Donahue
Legislation
As this newsletter goes to print, our efforts to secure the intent and spirit of the Sworn Affidavit Legislation that was passed in Springfield last year, are going well. In testimony at the House Judiciary II Committee on May 18th, I informed the Committee of the position that the City of Chicago, and only the City of Chicago, had taken in selectively applying the law that the legislature passed last year. After well over an hour of testimony, the Committee agreed that all law enforcement officers in the State of Illinois, including Chicago deserved the right to have those persons who allege misconduct, attest to their allegations by signing an affidavit. The alleged “loophole” that the City feels they have found, will be closed by the inclusion of more concise language in the Labor Act as well as the Uniform Peace Officers Disciplinary Act. If you wish to follow this bill, it is SB 984 Amendment #1. During testimony, it was brought forward that while the practice is being implemented all over the State, no agency has reported any difficulties in complaint reporting. Due to the importance of this issue to the members of this Lodge, our intent is to secure it any way we can.
As this Legislative Session closes, and very few issues are getting any attention due to the out and out fighting over the budget and the casino issues, it appears as though SB 2188, the Carry Concealed Bill, that was passed out of the Senate and now sits in the House, may meet its demise. This bill, as well as any others that don’t pass this year will have to be re-submitted and our efforts will start from scratch next January.
In last month’s Newsletter, there was a form to fill out for those officers who have time in either an Article 3 Pension Fund [Downstate] or the Cook County Sheriff’s fund, and were interested in transferring their time in those funds over to the Chicago Police Pension Fund. We have been told that there may be as many as 1000 members affected yet we have received just over 100 responses. The Lodge needs this information as we are preparing for talks with representatives of those funds over the summer to enhance the chances of activity on the Pension Portability Bill this coming fall. Please take the time to fill the form out, located on page 2 of this newsletter, and send it in if this issue is important to you.
The budget and a casino for the City of Chicago are overshadowing all activity, or lack thereof in Springfield. The opinion of many at City Hall that a casino is the answer to all of our fiscal problems in this town is evidence of shortsightedness. We don’t have to look far to see that the same claim was made of the lottery as the cure for the woes of public education. The City does need an infusion of cash at this time but the cause of the shortage can be better identified as management of cash in the past. The State didn’t invest in a “rainy day fund” when it had the revenue to do so and the City followed suit. Many of the union representatives in the City are going to Springfield to push for the casino on behalf of the City. When a representative of the City proposed that we should do the same, we agreed that if the City, in the legislation, earmarked those funds to be used for retiree and active member health care coverage we would take busloads down. There was no response from the City representative.
Negotiations/Arbitration
Although the process for arbitration is moving forward, the Lodge and City are still negotiating. The process has not picked up any speed since our declaration to arbitrate. We are still waiting on a counterproposal to the Medical Plan proposal the City tendered in January. The first meeting of the alliance [all of the City unions who have joined together to address in particular the Medical issue] was last week and the next meeting is scheduled for a month from then. This pace that is being set by the City is an absolute hindrance to progress but, as has been seen in the past, this pace could turn over night. Unfortunately the actions of the City on May 21st does nothing to ensure the integrity of these negotiations. Last Friday, about two hours after our last negotiating session, the City announced via press release that they were going to close seven district lock-ups. They touted the fact that they were going to place more manpower on the streets in the districts. Unfortunately what they failed to address was the fact that those lock-up keepers are all bid positions and the current contract states that the employer will not eliminate those positions. We sit at the table with the City to bargain new contract provisions while the wheels are turning to violate provisions in the current contract. In the City’s zeal to cut more from the police budget, they are either intentionally violating the contract or giving it little or no concern when making these decisions. The Lodge has filed a grievance and is seeking injunctive relief in court to this latest travesty of the City regarding our protections.
Death Benefits Committee Decision
The Lodge is happy to announce that the City’s Death Benefits Committee chaired by Alderman Ed Burke, has agreed with the Lodge position that 011th District P.O. Roberto Jackson’s death was in the performance of duty. Officer Jackson, in attempting to disarm her unstable son was shot when he attempted to kill himself. The Lodge has disagreed with the Department position since it was announced and has taken actions to garner the death benefits for her family. The decision that was reached at Ald. Burke’s Committee lends credence to our position and we thank the Alderman for the Committee’s conscientious diligence in reaching their decision.
Alliance Public Relations Campaign
The City Unions have come together to kick off a public relations campaign designed to show the importance of the people that make “The City That Works” work. The firm of Jascula/Tiernan has been hired and will be gathering information in the near future. Mailings through the Lodge will be coming your way and your responses will be most helpful in formulating the campaign. All involved are optimistic as to the success of this campaign and its impact on the collective bargaining processes of all of the City unions. There have been attempts to do so in the past but the many important issues affecting City employment now seem to be bonding this alliance stronger than ever.
Legislative Overtime
The 93rd General Assembly was scheduled to end its work on May 21st, we were very successful in what will most likely become the first of several overtime sessions for our Legislators.
Most importantly, the sworn affidavit bill passed earlier was made stronger. When the Department made its claims that the Uniform Peace Officer’s Disciplinary Act’s provisions for the sworn affidavit did not apply to F.O.P. members, we pled our case to the legislators and Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones made clear to the City that they intended our officers to have this protection. On May 27th after passing out of the Senate with a 57-0 vote count, Senate Bill 984 was sent to the Governor for signature. We expect no problems with obtaining his signature. Our sincere thanks to Speaker Madigan and Senate President Jones and all of the legislators for accommodating us as we work to overcome the roadblocks the City puts up.
In April all of our members were sent some information from Cook County Tax Assessor Jim Houlihan regarding his plans to limit the property tax hikes of single-family homeowners. I am pleased to say that Houlihan’s efforts were successful and our members, particularly those on the northside, will see some immediate relief. While this legislation is not perfect, it starts the process for our members who, because of the Mayor’s residency demand, are tied to their City homes for many years.
Vice
Presidents’ Article
Wake Up City Hall
On 7 May 2003 the Lodge had our first meeting with the City over contract negotiations. We met the City’s negotiation team and introduced ourselves to each other. The Lodge stressed to the City that quick negotiations are what our members want. We told them that we would be available whenever they could meet and stressed this many times over the last year. Unfortunately the City hasn’t submitted all of their proposals to the Lodge yet and that is what is most unfortunate. The City’s negotiation team has committee members on their team that have fresh ideas to solve the Department’s concerns and the Lodge has submitted proposals that are the concerns of our members. In most sub-committees we have had good discussions about these ideas and concerns and could probably come to some resolution on many of these proposals, but there always seems to be someone slowing the train down. The City, even after the Lodge sought arbitration, is telling us that they don’t have a financial proposal nor do they have a proposal on health care yet.
Now I know most of us think that this is just because City Hall doesn’t like Police Officers. But the Lodge has been meeting with and has formed an alliance with all the City unions over health insurance and sadly none of the unions are any further along in the negotiation process than we are.
This all comes at a time when manpower is at one of its lowest points ever. Moral is down because Officers can’t get off to spend time with their families.
We are fortunate to have a Superintendent that shares the concerns of our members and has the personality to boost moral in this department. But if City Hall keeps slamming the door in our faces, the Superintendent and the Lodge have an uphill battle on our hands.
We receive many calls regarding the bills that are incurred as a result of an Injury on Duty. Whenever medical treatment is received, the medical providers will start sending bills to the Officer for services rendered.
The payment for all I.O.D. related bills becomes the responsibility of the City of Chicago. In order to get the bills paid, the Officer will need to send a copy of the bill to the I.O.D. Unit at the Medical Services Section, located at 3510 S. Michigan.
After the I.O.D. Unit receives the bills, they are compiled and audited in order to substantiate payment. Once this part of the process is completed, the bills are forwarded to the City of Chicago-Committee on Finance. In turn, the Committee on Finance submits the bills to the City Council for their approval to pay. Finally a check is rendered to the provider.
Each time an Officer receives another notice of the bill, he/she should again forward it to the I.O.D. Unit at 3510 S. Michigan. In the event that the Officer receives a collection notice for non-payment of the bill, the Officer should contact the Committee on Finance as soon as possible to determine the status of the claim.
Firearms Safety Day
The Firearms Safety Day was held at the F.O.P. Hall on May 19, 2004 and was a huge success. This year 200 officers from across the City participated and had their weapons inspected by the various firearm manufacturers who worked so diligently during the course of the day. I would like to personally thank the representatives from Beretta, Smith & Wesson, Sig Arms, Safari Land, Easy Bore Cleaning Supplies and Second Chance, along with the Officers from the Range and Members of the Safety Committee; without these individual’s assistance, the success of this year’s event would not have occurred.
One Man Cars and Officer Safety
When officers are assigned to field duties, they always should request to be assigned to a two-man car. In these days of manpower shortages, Officers are being forced to work 10-99 units in the hours after darkness. When you are forced to work alone please keep in mind Officer Safety at all times. When receiving those assignments from the OEC dispatcher let them know that you are 10-99. Make sure to ask for an assist car on the most simple of radio assignment, which requires a two-person car. Example: disturbance, burglar alarm, or a prisoner transport. In the event the dispatcher tells you no assist car is available, tell the dispatcher that you will accept the assignment but will wait for an assist unit. The request for an assist car is not a sign of weakness nor does handling the job alone give the officer any more credit for a job well done that they achieve on a daily basis. Don’t take for granted the situation at hand and never tell the dispatcher, “Squad I’ll call if I need help.” Those days are behind us and we must stay focused on Officer Safety so that no officers are injured or worse when handling a simple assignment.
Verbal Abuse
The new verbal abuse order has been in effect for a month now and the Lodge needs affected officers to send copies of any paperwork the officers receive so that the Lodge can monitor the program. Send these copies to the attention of Kathy Moore.
Lockup Closings
The lockups in 004, 009, 012, 013, 021, 023 and 024 are being closed as of 27 May 04. The Department claims this will increase manpower on the street. The fact is this will add 21 Officers to the street, not even one officer per District, while doubling the workload in the 005th, 014th, 019th and 020th District lockups. Prisoners from 009,012 and 021 will be sent to Central Detention clogging up an already burdened system.
The order states that prisoners will be processed at the Districts and transported by squadrol to the new facilities. This will add hours to each arrest and will take the squadrol out of service from street duty. If you need the squadrol for a transport for multiple prisoners from the street to the station, the squadrol will not be available because the squadrol will be down on prisoner transports to the new facilities. Multiple cars are going to be needed in these situations increasing the down time for beat cars as well as the risk of officer injury.
What happens when squadrols transport prisoners from 009, 012 and 021 to Central Detention and there is a line to admit the prisoners to the lockup? If something happens who will bear the responsibility? Will the lockup keepers be asked to jeopardize their safety and admit the prisoners and have them wait inside the lockup to be processed or will six officers be standing in line with sixteen prisoners hoping that nothing happens?
When the squadrol is down on a DOA, the arresting officers will have to transport the prisoners to the new facilities taking a Beat car off the street for a minimum of two hours and that’s if there is not a line at the lockup. This will increase the workload for the cars on the street and increase the response time for 911 calls.
Apparently overlooked by the Department is the increased time a prisoner is in your custody expanding the chance for escape or battery to an officer. This appears to be a dramatic increase in the liability to the officer, the Department and the City.
The Department notified the Lodge late on a Friday night of these changes that took effect on the following Thursday, I hope they don’t wait until the last minute to address these concerns with their new program because it will result in prisoner escapes, officer injuries and more lawsuits against the City as well as public outrage at slow response times.
There is definitely a brain drain in the Department but I don’t think that it can be attributed to retirements.
Remember, do not do anything that will jeopardize your safety or that of your partner.
By Sidney M. Davis
2004 FOP Picnic
The Annual F.O.P. Picnic has been scheduled for July 21st and members are encouraged to send in any suggestions that would benefit the membership. The Board of Directors looks forward to seeing all the familiar faces as well as new ones this year. Please send your comments to Sid Davis or Frank DiMaria care of Unit 541.
Memorials
The Lodge thanks all the officers who participated in this year’s Annual St Jude’s March. Well over 6,000 officers marched in the event on May 2. The Lodge also extends a hearty thank you to the officers who participated in the Washington D.C. Memorial. Close to 200 officers took part in the annual event honoring fallen officers across the nation. The Lodge honored Sergeant Philip O’Reilly (020), Police Officer Darrel Hernandez (010) and Roberta Jackson (011) by unveiling their names on the memorial wall during this year’s Memorial Service held on May 20th at the F.O.P. Lodge.
Watch Bids
Watch Bids open on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 and close on Wednesday, June 9, 2004. Section 31.5 (Filling of Vacancies) sets policy for bidding for a watch. Check with your Unit Rep if you are unsure on how to complete the form for bidding. An incomplete form or error can and may stop you from bidding to another watch. The next time watch bidding comes around is during the ninth period.
June FOP Meeting
The Lodge invites all members to attend June’s FOP meeting (12 noon), as it will be the last meeting prior to taking a summer break (Jul and Aug). A barbeque will immediately follow the meeting. The next scheduled meeting will be held on September 21, 2004.
Wilfredo Torres Jr.
On Tuesday May 4, 2004, the 43rd Annual Recognition Ceremony was held at the Chicago Hilton and Towers International Ballroom. The man of the hour was Wilfredo Torres Jr. who received three (3) awards. The Blue Star Award, Award of Valor and the highest police award, the Police Medal of Honor was bestowed upon Officer Wilfredo Torres Jr.
Officer Torres, the Lodge salutes you for a job well done.
The following events listed will occur from June 9, 2004 thru July 10, 2004. For further information on any events posted below contact the Lodge (312) 733-7776, and ask for Sid Davis.
09 Jun 04 Annual Fishing Tournament
09 Jun 04 Watch Bids Close
(Section 31.5, Filling of Vacancies)
14 Jun 04 Emerald Society’s Children’s Sport Night – Assumption Church Golf Outing
15 Jun 04 FOP General Meeting (noon)
16 Jun 04 Noble Monthly Meeting
16 Jun 04 Detective Association Meeting
18 Jun 04 Transfer Order for the 7th Period
19 Jun 04 Puerto Rican Day
20 Jun 04 Father’s Day
24 Jun 04 7th Period Begins
25 Jun 04 Easter Seals Annual Golf Outing
27 Jun 04 Gay Pride Day
28 Jun 04 State Conference Delegate Dinner
30 Jun 04 Recognized Openings in Districts and Units
01 Jul 04 6th District Reunion
02 Jul 04 6th District Cook-Out
02 Jul 04 Recognized Vacancies/Transfer Bids (Citywide)
04 Jul 04 Independence Day (Holiday)
05 Jul 04 Chicago Police Ski Club Meeting
06 Jul 04 FOP Board Meeting (10 a.m.)
06 Jul 04 Polish American Police Assoc. Meeting
06 Jul 04 Chicago Police Marine Assoc. Meeting
06 Jul 04 German American Police Assoc. Meeting
06 Jul 04 Kevin Flanagan Memorial Golf Outing
07 Jul 04 13th District Charity Golf Outing
09 Jul 04 German American Police Association Annual Picnic
FLSA Lawsuit
In May the Lodge filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court, for violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. We filed this lawsuit because we believe the Department violates the FLSA whenever they deny an officer the opportunity to use their compensatory time. This is not the first time the Lodge has filed suit on FLSA violations by the Department. In 1999 the Lodge filed suit against the Department for FLSA violations. The main issue, at that time, was how FLSA time was recorded and calculated by the Department. Most FLSA lawsuits of record center around the issue of recording and calculating FLSA time. In 1999 one of the problems in recording FLSA time was that recorded time was started on Thursday (change day). Depending on an officer’s day off group, it would be possible to exceed the mandated 172 hours. This issue was resolved by recording FLSA time starting on Sundays. There were several other counts addressed in the 1999 suit. Ability to take time due was one of these counts. The Department addressed this charge by producing officer’s time sheets that demonstrated that officers were in fact taking time due, using their personal days, and baby furlough days. The Lodge decided to withdraw this count, because the Department agreed to negotiate over this issue. However the specific issue of taking time due was never negotiated. In 1999 the problem of having time due denied was not nearly as rampant as it is now. Since taking office in 2002, the Lodge has been deluged with officer complaints about being denied time due. Our discussions with the Department regarding granting time due has fallen on deaf ears, so we find ourselves in court seeking a resolution.
The Lodge’s legal staff has thoroughly researched this issue, and has found some bad decisions, and some very favorable decisions. The most recent case involves the Milwaukee Police Department. The Milwaukee case has almost the exact same fact pattern as Chicago. Officers in Milwaukee were being denied the opportunity to take time due because of manpower shortages -- manpower shortages caused by the Department, not the officers, just like in Chicago. The City of Milwaukee filed a motion to dismiss, and it was initially granted that motion by the Eastern Wisconsin District Court. On appeal the case was remanded back to the Eastern District by the 7th District Court of Appeals. At that time the Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee Police Association (bargaining agent for Milwaukee Police Officers) entered into a settlement agreement that allows an officer to use time due, if submitted more than 48 hours in advance. In the Milwaukee case, the court invited the Department of Labor to file an amicus brief. The Department of Labor is the regulating federal agency on FLSA. In their brief the Department of Labor said there are two standards regarding taking time due. Number one is “reasonable notice”. The City of Milwaukee argued that “reasonable notice” means that they can grant time due within a reasonable period of time. Such as if you request to take off a Saturday, they can deny your request for Saturday and allow you to take time due on Monday. The City’s stance was that it was reasonable because time due was granted within 48 hours of the actual day the officer requested off. The Milwaukee Police Association argued that “reasonable notice” means that if an officer gives the Department 48 hours notice for a day off, the time due should be granted for the day requested. The Department of Labor agreed with the Milwaukee Police Association. The second standard is “undue disruption of service”. The City of Milwaukee argued that if they granted time due when an officer wanted it, the Department would have to replace that officer with another officer, and pay the replacement officer at a rate of time and one half. The City said that would cause an “undue disruption of service”. The Department of Labor basically said that the Milwaukee Police Department did not have to replace an officer that was granted time due. However, if they did replace an officer, the officer working may have to be paid at time and one half, and that is not an “undue disruption of service.” This case took over 5 years from start to resolution. Hopefully our case will not take as long, since the groundwork has already been laid by Milwaukee and the Department of Labor.
Since this cannot be a class action lawsuit the Lodge will need every officer that has been denied time due to take part. There is a form on page 5 of this newsletter that we need you to sign and send back to the Lodge. This form simply gives the Lodge your permission to represent you in this lawsuit. Another benefit of the Lodge now having our own legal staff in-house is there is no money required from any officer taking part in this lawsuit.
The only qualification to be a plaintiff is that you were denied the opportunity to use your compensatory FLSA time. It doesn’t matter if you were denied in person, a slip was returned marked denied, or your watch or unit had an unofficial time due book that was already filled, which prevented you from even requesting time due. As long as you were denied time due, you should be part of this lawsuit.
Lock-Up Closings
On 26 May the Lodge went into circuit court seeking an injunction to prevent the Department from initiating a so-called “Pilot Program” to close down 7 lock-ups. The case was heard by Judge Kinnaird. Judge Kinnaird ruled in the City’s favor, allowing the City to proceed with the “Pilot Program”, because she could not find an irreparable harm to the Lodge or officers involved. The Judge did admonish the City by stating, “this is no way to do business”. We will return to court in the first week of June, and again argue against the City implementing the lock-up closings. A grievance has already been filed, and we were able to get a date of 23 June in front of Arbitrator Cox, due to a cancelled medical arbitration. If necessary we will book a 2nd date with the arbitrator to get a speedy resolution to this matter. The City argued in court that the Lodge was given notice of this new plan; nothing could be further from the truth. The real facts are as follows. In early April while meeting with the City on other matters, it was mentioned that the City was thinking of closing some lock-ups. We immediately pointed out the fallacy of this idea. We were then told IF it happened it wouldn’t be until the end of June, and we would have plenty of time to talk about it. On Friday 21 May, we were in contract negotiations with the City. The City left negotiations early for an emergency meeting with the Superintendent. At 5:00 pm, one hour after the office closed we received a phone call from the City, telling us that 7 district lock-ups would be closed effective 27 May. Make no mistake about it, the Lodge was completely blindsided by the City. Since the City has not stated the reason for closing the lock-ups, other than “to examine a streamlined approach to the Department’s day to day operation of its detention facilities”, we have no idea why they did what they did. Closing lakefront district lock-ups during summer months defies any logic. The City has said in the media this will add police officers to the street. Once again nothing could be farther from the truth. This plan will have the opposite effect. They have just increased the processing time for prisoners by at least 2 hours. Instead of patrol, officers will be sitting with prisoners waiting to get into lock-ups that have just had their workload doubled. Our main concern here is officer safety. You will now be required to sit with a prisoner until the lock-up can accept them. This also gives a prisoner an additional opportunity to escape. What if a prisoner becomes hostile, or is suicidal? If any CR#s arise from this reckless and illogical program, we will make sure the blame is assigned to whoever thought this up. I’m sure as always, our membership will perform in a thoroughly professional manner when processing prisoners. But please remember safety first. You can’t perform your job if you’re injured. Don’t get mad at the remaining lock-up keepers, if they cannot accept your prisoner right away. They are doing the best they can, and their workload has just been doubled. When we were in court on May 26 the City attorney said the only downside to this program is the displaced lock-up keepers would lose a couple hours sleep. The City obviously doesn’t care about you, so make sure you take care of yourself.
By
PO Carlos “Sal” Saladino, Chairman
Disability Report
The best of health from the Committee members. We are available for calls at the FOP office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check out the Disability Page link on the FOP web site, www.chicagofop.org, for beneficial information.
Class Action Grievance Update
Article 18 – Disability Income, Section 18.9. The Committee has been informed that a date
for a hearing will be July 28th with Arbitrator Berman. This class action grievance was presented by
committee members and filed by FOP 1st VP Bill Dougherty on behalf
of all police officers. Section 18.9
reads, “The Employer agrees to pay all hospital, medical and prescription
costs of an officer who is on a leave of absence for duty or occupational
disability purposes, all at no cost to the employee.”
Veteran’s Corner
Our thoughts and prayers go to the members activated in Operation Enduring Freedom who are actively serving our country in the military.
Thank you to ‘Sol’ (Solon P. Tsaoussis) from Personnel for his help in recognizing these officers. If any officers have a spouse, son or daughter serving in the military, call or write me with their information so it can be featured in upcoming newsletters when possible. Airborne Sal
CHAPLAIN’S
CORNER
Take A Moment To Ponder… By Rabbi Moshe Wolf
A professor was giving a lecture on stress management. He raised a glass of water and asked the audience, "How heavy do you think this glass of water is?" The answers ranged from a half-pound to three pounds. "It does not matter on the absolute weight. It depends on how long you hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it is OK. If I hold it for an hour, I will have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, the pain will be intolerable. It is the exact same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." "If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier." "What you have to do is to put the glass down, rest for a while (say a prayer) before holding it up again."
We have to put down the burden of life periodically, so that we can be refreshed and are able to carry on. So before you return home from work tonight, put down the burden of work. Take a rest, catch your breath, and regroup. Life is short; learn to enjoy the moment.
Take a moment to put down your glass, to ponder life and give a chuckle....remember:
*) Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
*) Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them
*) If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
*) Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you don't have a leg to stand on.
*) In life nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
*) You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
*) Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.
*) We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors but they all have to learn to live in the same box.
*) Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.
*) No matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
*) You should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
*) You can keep going . . . long after you can't.
*) Either you control your attitude or it controls you.
*) Sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
*) Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
*) It isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
*) No matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.
*) The people you care about most in life are sometimes taken from you too soon. Remind them everyday how much they mean to you.
*) Life is a journey not a destination; enjoy the ride even when the scenery changes.
May G-d bless you, keep you safe, and always keep you in his loving care. Blessings for a healthy, enjoyable summer. Amen
Compliments of Your Police Chaplain
Rabbi Moshe Wolf 773-463-4780 or moshewolf@hotmail.com
Little Things, By Father Tom Nangle
Did you ever notice:
-How many officers are calling the star a badge? Seems like the Chicago word "star" is slipping away and only the old timers use the word "button" instead of star or badge.
-The word "squadrol" has just about disappeared from the CPD vocabulary?
-That "my half hour" is a phrase on the zones for what used to be "lunch"?
-That the sound of a baton being dropped and bouncing once on a terrazzo floor is a unique sound?
-That "throw it on the box" is a fairly new phrase on the zones?
-That we're not hearing the words, "They don't want you doing police work anymore" very often?
-That, if you've got the ears for it, some of the city's best humor is found on the 365/24/7 conversations on the zones and citywides?
-That you can tell there's a police presence by the distinctive tinkle of the brass tag on the squad car keyring? Nothing else sounds quite like it.
-The shout of "Turnkey!" in the lockup makes you feel you're living in another age?
-The sight of a sport pepper (that wasn't there before) on the floor of your squad car after grease and oil always makes you wonder?
-The words, "You ain't takin' me to jail" are always a prelude to something bigger?
-The words, "You ain't takin' me to jail" are always wrong?
-That your Peer Counsellors are always where they're needed, in police messes and storms?
-That no one seems too happy or sad about the new stars, badges, buttons?
-That there's no one around to tell the reaction of the troops the last time the CPD was re-starred, from pie-plates to the flat, five pointed star with copper numbers, some time in the late 50's?
-That no one seems to remember the days without a police union anymore?
-That 11th and State is gone?
-That you never hear a wagon being given a "confinement" job any more?
-That the two side doors on the wagons don't have the same serious look as the one back door on the older wagons?
-That you seldom see a wagon with handcuffs being used to secure the door?
-That it's good to see a police officer on a Segway, but your brain knows it's just one step away from a pogo stick?
-That when May is over, the only people who have honored the police are---the police?
-That the Police Mail works better and faster than the U.S. Mail?
-That the average day of a working police officer is a mix of humor, horror, and heroism?
Respectfully,
Fr. Thomas R. Nangle
CPD Chaplain (312) 738-7588
INFO FOR THE POLICE
-Your Police Chaplains Ministry plans to take the Gold Star Families on a lunch cruise on Lake Michigan twice this summer, and if you'd like to help pay the bill, donations (tax deductible) can be sent to Police Chaplains Ministry, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607
-June 19th is Father's Day, and we will continue a young tradition started a few years ago by having a morning Mass in Gold Star Families Park to honor our fathers. Some families have started their own tradition by having a picnic in the park after the Mass, while others go home to celebrate. All are welcome...watch the bulletin board and Daily Bulletin for details.
-Mass cards (simply a promise of a remembrance in our prayers) are available from the Police Chaplains Ministry via telephone (no donations are expected or accepted for this service): call 312-738-7588.