[Vision2020] Stout Not Wrong n Union Support / Police UnionStandNot a Conflict

[Art Deco]

Gary,

Is it then your contention that raising salaries and improving working 
conditions in the MPD will not promote the hiring and retention of more 
able, effective police officers?

W.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "g. crabtree" <jampot at adelphia.net>
To: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>; "'Moscow Vision 2020'" 
<vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 8:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Stout Not Wrong n Union Support / Police 
UnionStandNot a Conflict


> First name familiarity and approachability are charming concepts but I 
> really do not see how they out weigh the negatives of the union or even 
> enhance law enforcement in the community in any appreciable way. (this 
> isn't Detroit or Newark after all) Perhaps it would be good if you did go 
> on a bit longer because the only picture I get is of my tax bill going 
> through the roof and nothing of substance to show for it, except a fatter 
> union and big grins on a couple of councilmen.
>
> gc
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
> To: "'g. crabtree'" <jampot at adelphia.net>; "'Moscow Vision 2020'" 
> <vision2020 at moscow.com>
> Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 7:28 PM
> Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Stout Not Wrong n Union Support / Police Union 
> StandNot a Conflict
>
>
>> One MAJOR problem that the Moscow Police Department is experiencing is 
>> lack
>> of continuity.  After a year officers tend to pack up and move to 
>> "greener
>> pastures", primarily due to wages/salaries that are not competitive (here 
>> in
>> Moscow) with other comparably-sized community police departments.
>> Ultimately this results in loss of quality police officers.
>>
>> Establishing a police union will ensure the rights and privileges for our
>> police department; rights and privileges that have up until just recently
>> received nothing more than lip service from our city council.
>>
>> Once continuity is established, the community becomes familiar with 
>> members
>> of its police force.  The community gains first name familiarity with the
>> officers responsible for protecting its streets.  This level of 
>> familiarity
>> breeds a relationship where police officers become very approachable.
>>
>> I could go on and on about how such a relationship benefits the
>> neighborhoods, but I am sure you get the picture already.
>>
>> Tom Hansen
>> Moscow, Idaho
>>
>> "If not us, who?
>> If not now, when?"
>>
>> - Unknown
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: g. crabtree [mailto:jampot at adelphia.net]
>> Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 6:58 PM
>> To: Tom Hansen; Moscow Vision 2020
>> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Stout Not Wrong n Union Support / Police Union
>> StandNot a Conflict
>>
>> Ray writes a fine letter as far as it goes. The question I have yet to 
>> see
>> answered satisfactorily is how is a unionized police force is good for 
>> the
>> city and by extension the citizens? It's easy to see that it will be good
>> for the union. More dues. It will be good for politicians who support it.
>> More contributions. It might be good for the police. More wages and
>> benifits, perhaps. But good for the people of Moscow as a whole? That 
>> hasn't
>>
>> been established by any stretch of the imagination. In fact its not too 
>> hard
>>
>> to envision several negative outcomes that will be brought about by union
>> recognition not the least of which will be greatly increased costs.
>>
>> gc
>>
>>
>>
>
>
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