Keeping you Informed November 2011
Welcome fellow members of the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society to this month's edition of “Keeping you Informed”.
Arguments for the Quinn Bill before the Mass Supreme Judicial Court are fast approaching. For a virtual front row seat, Google “Mass SJC” and click on the icon that says webcast of oral arguments. Then click view webcast your Windows Media Player should do the rest. Arguments will be heard on Tuesday November 8th at 9:30am
You may have noticed on our webpage the BPDBS welcomes new Detectives Charisse Brittle- Powell, Susan Edgehill-Yard, Eddie Hernandez, Donald Stone, and Eric McPherson. A promotional and rating ceremony is scheduled for November 30 9:30 AM at the Hyde Park Municipal building. We would also like to welcome aboard 2 new members of the executive board from District 11, Paul Schroeder and from District 18, Mike Kane.
Our annual banquet was held on 22 October and while there were some issues that may have left us less than satisfied it cannot and should not take away from the hard work of the committees involved in putting such a large event together. For all of their hard work since last January I want to thank the Banquet Committee, Sharon Wong, Bob Costine, Darlene Lagoa, Jay Joyce, Carmel Precia and Dante Williams. I would also like to thank the Awards Committee, Carmen Curry, Jerry Benton, Janeen Mitchell, Aaron Blocker and Louise O'Malley. Finally a special thanks to our guest speaker John Gallagher and Emcee Bill Shields. Photos from the banquet are online and can be purchased at Doylebrothers.com. As of this writing the Awards Committee is planning to recognize several members of our union on November 17 at 1:00pm at the union hall prior to the monthly executive board meeting. I hope as many of you as possible will attend.
Two grievances were filed this past month along with two other issues on the horizon; the two grievances filed were both related to “Occupy Boston” and the morning of October 11, 2011. While it is hard not to appear as the Monday morning quarterback in some cases you have to be. The first grievance filed and we’ll call this “better to have it and not need it” was filed under the heading of Health and Safety. Apparently an order was given to the Public Order Platoons prior to moving into a crowd of demonstrators to remove their helmets. Now the question becomes what do you do with them if not where they belong (on your head)? “Sling them over your gun”. From the perspective of the Detectives Benevolent Society two things stand out here, the time to put your helmet on is not after the rocks and bottles start flying, and the last thing any police officer should do is sling something over his firearm. I put this information out not to judge but to let you know the arguments your union makes regarding these issues. I would be remiss if I didn't also give you the other side of the argument. The following are responses received during a Step II hearing. “We are trying to present a soft approach”. “We spoke to the organizers and they said they would only passively resist”. And finally (brace yourselves). “Sometimes we have to take the first bottle or rock”. I don't want to personalize this, but I would hate to be standing by when the loved one of one of our union members is told we had to take the first bottle. It should not come as a surprise to you to know that at a Step II hearing this grievance was denied, no violation of the CBA. We have already filed for a Step III hearing on this. The second grievance relative to this matter and we’ll call this “You can't have it both ways” is relative to our union members being ordered to work without the overtime being offered on a low man basis and then without going citywide seeking volunteers. The reply “this was an emergency” our response, “there was enough time to make the Public Order Platoons aware and to develop an Op Plan”. Labor Relations again found no violations of the CBA. Having shared this information with the BPPA we/they have discovered there is more to this issue than just the concerns of the BPDBS. Stay tuned folks this could go all the way.
Recently a letter was sent to Labor Relations in regards to two positions that had opened up at a specialized unit one for a Detective one for a Police Officer both postings included the following duties, “ prepare and execute search warrants as needed to further investigations” and “ applicant should have the ability to conduct thorough investigations”. Based on this search criterion you would think in fact the department needed 2 Detectives I was advised that these “boilerplate” postings would be corrected. Other issues discussed with Labor Relations this month included the Department's Early Intervention System, and the “new and improved” working in/working out process. One thing that stands out when it comes to the EIS, the Department says this is not a form of discipline, respectfully I would submit to you as I did to them if you are put in an intervention system through Internal Affairs this system certainly gives the presumption of being a form of discipline. I would venture to guess if you don't abide by the recommendations there would be some repercussions. Please be advised the office of Labor Relations and the Bureau of Professional Standards do not feel if you're placed in the early intervention system you need union representation. The leadership of the BPDBS believes you do, as always our stance is quite clear. If you are called to Internal Affairs for any reason at the very least you should have a union representative with you if not one of our attorneys. Simply state, respectfully you feel your discussions and or answers could possibly lead to discipline and you desire union representation. The matter of working out working in days obviously affects not just this union but also the Superior Officers and the Patrolmen's Association with that in mind our attorney has met with the attorneys of the other two unions again bolstering our spirit of working together. I remind you before any grievances or unfair labor practice complaints can be filed the department must take some type of action, make a change, or violate our collective bargaining agreement.
All three unions while working together have differences in our contracts thus complicating any actions to be taken as a group however we are working together, and will, when applicable take action TOGETHER
Check out the BPDBS website for updates and breaking news and please remember to go online on November 8 at 9:30 AM and watch the oral arguments regarding the Quinn Bill.
The holidays are just around the corner it's times like this that make you stop and think about what's really important. Take care of yourselves, be safe and be careful.
As always Gerry and I are available to answer any of your questions or address your concerns.
Keeping you informed
Tom Famolare.
