It has become evident that the police and correction officers
in Michigan now need to not only be on guard against gang
members, violent prisoners, drunks, felons and radical militia
members, but also for attacks by our own state legislature.
My first All Points Bulletin: Any senator or house rep, who
wants us to take a 5% pay reduction, and pay 20% of our health
care premiums, yet refuses to relinquish their lifetime health care.
I believe the currently proposed legislation is an insult to all of us
who wear body armor and a gun belt to work everyday. The idea of
a Michigan legislator publicly asking the men and woman in the law
enforcement community to “step up to the plate to be a part of the
solution” is just plain offensive. The police officers in this state step
up to the plate everyday when we leave our homes and families to
go to work. True, some of us may enter into more violent and dys-
functional towns than others, but that does not mean at any moment
those officers are any less likely to become targets than others.
I am tired of witnessing politicians tout how they support law
enforcement when it conveniently benefits them politically, and then
show absolutely zero evidence of it when it comes time to balance
budgets and reduce work forces. Anyone, who votes to eliminate a
state law that requires binding arbitration for the resolution of con-
tract disputes between employers and police, can no longer claim to
be pro-law enforcement.
When and if they have their wish, it will leave the cops in Michi-
gan virtually crippled at the bargaining table. The interference in
the collective bargaining process has made local unions hesitant to
make cost saving adjustments beneficial to employers, because we
now have to wonder what the state may implement in the future.
The truth is, that is already being done through negotiations be-
tween the parties. For anyone to sabotage the process is a threat
to all of our livelihoods, because if they succeed, cops may never
appreciate an enhancement in our wages or benefits again. Unless,
anyone actually believes that annual police wages will increase
enough to cover the state imposed 20% non-negotiable health care
premium share.
No other career choice can lead to the unannounced abrupt end
of life, reduced life expectancy, rampant suicide rate, and troubling
divorce rate than the law enforcement profession. That is why I
won’t ever apologize for attempt-
ing to make officers’ working
conditions better, and I do not
apologize for putting out APB’s
when I identify threats to the law
enforcement community. Cops
need to support, endorse and elect
representatives that respect what
we do, and show evidence of it
when needed. And, if they don’t,
hold them accountable.
Stay safe. RIP SPD Badge #204
