| Thursday, October 12, 2006
Superintendent Warren Riley met with P.A.N.O. President Mike Glasser,
F.O.P. President Henry Dean, and B.O.P. President Simon Hargrove,
to discuss some issues affecting New Orleans Police Officers. Some
of the topics discussed were:
P/O II, III, & IV
The Superintendent said that these promotions are a top priority
that is totally dependent upon the City’s financial officer.
He has stressed the importance of the promotions to the Mayor, and
he understands the significance of the promotions and attendant
pay increases and what it means to the affected officers. In addition,
he has agreed to allow PANO to continue to work with the Academy
and put together a P/O II, III, and IV training class so that every
officer with adequate tenure will be eligible for promotion when
it does occur. There is no specific time frame for the promotions
but the Superintendent has made it his first priority with the Mayor.
Sergeant’s Exam
The Superintendent said the process of interviewing subject matter
experts has begun and a company to administer the test has been
contacted. It is still anticipated that the next test will be in
January or very early next year. It is the Superintendent’s
desire to have the list remain in effect for a year, but no longer
than 18 months, take the top 10% for promotion, then kill the list
and give a new test. This would allow for much more frequent tests,
every 1 to 1.5 years, and only the very top candidates promoted.
A change in the administration of the test and the grading process
would allow for the examination process to be cheaper and faster.
Headquarters
The target date for moving back into Police Headquarters is January
1, 2007. The Superintendent also stated that he does not want to
be in Headquarters while other districts are still in trailers,
so that the 3rd, 5th, and 7th districts are anticipated to be in
their station by then as well. The major problem is the power source
for the building, which is still under construction, and has to
be raised from its present location.
Cars
There are new cars to be delivered to the districts beginning tomorrow.
The new patrol Ford Crown Vics are to be used on the platoons, with
the existing Chevrolets to be used for admin and take home cars.
The Academy
The 401 City Park Avenue site will be the new Police Academy rather
than Jackson barracks. The site is being carpeted, painted, and
prepared for use by the Academy Staff.
Furlough
Furlough WILL NOT be carried over into next year beyond the 45
days maximum (or 90 days if you are on the old plan) as it was last
year. If you have more than 45 days as of December 31, 2006, you
will lose them.
Uniforms
The Superintendent has authorized the use of short sleeves throughout
the season, with long sleeves being an option left up to the officer
(with the wearing of long sleeves comes the wearing of a tie, as
well). He anticipates that next year, we go back to a firm date
for the transition of short sleeves to long sleeves for everyone.
The Superintendent is considering a new shirt material which is
the same color as the existing shirt but is cotton and very much
like the fabric of the old powder blue shirts. We had a chance to
handle the shirt and the material seems to be more like what we’re
accustomed to wearing except for the color….
Now, the color. I explained to the Superintendent how popular the
powder blues were and the overwhelming desire to return to the traditional
colors. I asked if he would consider the possibility of returning
to the standard NOPD blue. He said it would not happen this year
coming (2007) but he would consider it for the following year. Not
exactly what everyone wants to hear, but much better then “NO.”
Image
The Superintendent described some efforts at improving the overall
image of the NOPD, locally and nationally, through the use of a
PR Firm.
Advisory Committee
The Superintendent has called for the creation of an advisory committee
consisting of members of each unit and division in the department.
Our understanding is that this meeting will afford the representatives
to discuss these and other matters of concern with the Superintendent.
My advice is that whomever is selected to represent your unit or
division, make sure they are aware of the concerns of the rest of
the unit, and ask the superintendent these questions directly.
ONE NOPD
Mike Glasser
PANO President
504-416-0366
GlasserMD@aol.com
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