"Policing Facts vs.
Smoke & Mirrors"


PRESIDENT'S CORNER
  

Dear Cleveland,    Tuesday, January 15, 2010
 
     The most important responsibility the mayor of any city has is protecting the safety of the people who live, work, and play in that city.
 
    However, for the second time in six years, our city leadership believes it is in the best interest of Cleveland to balance their "projected" budget by downsizing the Cleveland Police Department.  They have obviously forgotten how unsuccessful this method of balancing the budget was in 2004.  Response times and crime rates increased dramatically while residents and businesses streamed out of Cleveland and did not turn back.  Homicide rates have been in triple digits since 2004 and we have laid to rest two of our Brothers while doing "more with less".  The citizens were outraged and Mayor Jane had committed political suicide, never to be heard from again.
 
    There is no question the layoffs of up to 67 officers, will make the 8th most dangerous city in the United States, even more dangerous. Despite the best efforts of those of us remaining, Clevelander's can expect to see a further increase of our already high crime rates and response times.  The Mayor and Safety Director insisting that this downsizing will have no adverse effect on the safety of our city defies logic and common sense, and destroys their credibility.  
 
    The CPD has never recovered from the 2004 downsizing of 252 Police Officers.  We have been working with no Auto Theft, Community Policing, or Gang Units.  Our Strike Force, Street Crimes and Fugitive Units were shut down in 2004 as well.  These proactive Police units worked together to investigate, arrest, and convict hundreds of Cleveland's most violent criminals.  Our Narcotics Unit was reduced by half, and the Sex Crimes and Homicide Units suffered downsizing as well.  We have no Ports and Harbor Unit and our Aviation Unit only flies 12 hours PER WEEK.  
 
    The Mayor and Safety Director will soon be downsizing the SWAT,  Narcotics,  Airport, and Homeland Security Units.  They will be taking Police Officers out of the High schools,  Detectives out of the District Detective Bureaus and Vice Units and Officers from the Community Service Units.  The Downtown Services Unit, created to protect downtown residents, businesses, and visitors, will also be downsized. 

    They would also have you believe that the Officers of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association did not try to reach an accommodation with the city to prevent layoffs. That is simply not the case.  We made multiple and significant proposals that would have provided the Mayor the 4.1 Million dollars he demanded from us to avert downsizing.  Deferment of a $2.5 million federal law suit payment until 2013,  forgiving a $250,000.00 contractual benefit and putting our Dispatchers on overtime saving 10 hours shifts are just a few.  Each rejected by the city.
 
    In the end the city demanded 4.1 million from us in concessions and WOULD NOT give us a 100%guarantee that we would not face lay offs if we took them.  There are alternatives to concessions and lay offs the city is not willing to consider.  That is why our Members voted down the city's last best and unfortunate offer, 899 against and 25 for.   
 
    Working with resources the Mayor has left us, the men and women of the Cleveland Police department will do all in our power to keep Cleveland as safe as possible.  The Mayor and most of City Council views the Police Department as a necessary evil and a financial drain on "their" resources.  Until their priorities change regarding safety and security, Cleveland will never reach its full potential.
 
In Your Service,
 
Stephen S. Loomis, President
Cleveland Police patrolmen's Association

Friday, January 1, 2010

President Of Police Union Gives Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson A "D Plus" Grade In Leadership Ability

Copied in its entirety from:  http://www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblogandmedianetwork.com/
 
Cleveland Police Union President Stephen Loomis

Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson
Posted Friday, January 1, 2010
(Cleveland, Ohio Area News)

By Kathy Wray Coleman
Editor of The Determiner Weekly.com and The
Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog and Media Network

Cleveland Police Union President Stephen Loomis has given Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson a “D plus” grade in the category of leadership ability following the layoffs last week of 67 police officers, 52 of whom completed the police academy with accolades from Jackson days before voters gave him a second term on Nov. 3. The layoffs become effective Jan. 11.

“He was a “B” in October but after the layoffs its a D plus,” said Loomis, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolman's Association since 2006. “He knew in June when he started the police academy of the financial issues and he went ahead so that he could pose for the cameras when they graduated only to layoff these babies who have families where some are single mothers and many quit prior jobs.”

Loomis did not hold his tongue in calling Cleveland's 57th mayor to task saying that Jackson is an elitist who is targeting the working class while failing to rid the city of top heavy administrators, and that he is allegedly unfair in refusing to ensure that layoffs include people from various city services arenas other than police, firefighters and other middle class and lower middle class types.

“He has more administrators and cabinet members than former mayors Campbell and White and he has failed to prioritize services by targeting the safety forces,” added Loomis. “He bragged during his campaign about a balanced budget and no layoffs for 2010. He was being disingenuous.”

The third Black mayor of the predominantly Black city who has support from the city's Black leadership including politicians, clergy and the Black press, the incumbent Jackson sailed to victory in November with 78 percent of the vote. But his political world began to tumble days after the election when police began to rubbish through the remains of 11 Black women found earlier at the Mt. Pleasant home of purported serial killer and rapist Anthony Sowell, who resided with the mayor's niece during the time of the alleged killings. Speculation swirled as to how Jackson's niece escaped unharmed and why city officials released Sowell from custody in 2008 following an attempted rape complaint where six of the murdered Black women went missing thereafter. And to make matters worse Jackson then announced a 23 million dollar deficit during contract negotiations with police and other city unions, levied charges for trash pickup to the already impoverished town, and threatened layoffs to police, firefighters and other labor personnel unless they agreed to a 4.5 percent pay cut, a measure that Loomis said his members rejected as unfair.

Loomis said that the 52 police men and women who passed the academy in October only to face layoffs less than two months later were members of a talented and diversified graduating class.

“At least a third are Black and a quarter are female,” said Loomis, before announcing that a grievance had been filed alleging bad faith negotiations by the city. And he said that he predicts that the grievance will become the subject of an alleged unfair labor practice given what he says is an attempt by Jackson and city negotiators to ram unfair concessions down the throats of union members while the mayor himself, Cleveland City Council members, and other ranking big shots get to keep every dime paid to them.

According to Loomis, the city has some 1250 police officers and 85 dispatchers. In addition to police, other city unions rejecting wage concessions are medical technicians and water plant operators, though firefighters, mechanics and machinists are still in negotiations.

Jackson spokesperson Andrea Taylor did not respond to an email request for comment made shortly before the New Year holiday break.

Posted by Journalist Kathy Wray Coleman at 12:19 AM 0 comments Links to this post

Dear Members and friends,           June 10, 2009
 
    I am very pleased to report that the Ohio Supreme Court has upheld the state law making it legal for us live where we choose.  The decision was 5 for and 2 against upholding the State Law.  Justice Paul Pfeifer wrote the opinion which was supported by Justices Maureen O'Conner, Eve Stratton, Terrence O'Donnell, and Robert Cupp.  Justice Judith Lanzinger and Chief Justice Thomas Moyer.
 
    The following e-mail address will allow you access to the opinion;  http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/PIO/summaries/2009/0610/080128_080418.asp
 
    I am having Pat D'Angelo analyze this decision, but the bottom line is that we strongly believe that this is finally over.
 
    We will be sending out more details as we learn them, and will be planning a celebration of some sort in the very near future.  Congratulations!!!
 
    Please remember the pioneers of this battle in your thoughts and gratitude.  Bob Beck, and fireman Sammy DeVito are just two of the many individuals that must be acknowledged. 
 
Be Safe and enjoy the day! 

Stephen S. Loomis, President
Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association

CPPA Memo 09-07             04/07/09

 
Re; Pittsburgh Police Officer’s Funeral
 
Dear Members,
 
     As you are all aware by now the Pittsburgh Police Department has had three of their Hero’s taken from them violently and senselessly.   All three Officers worked in the same District, and all three were taken from us without warning or provocation.  Please keep these Hero’s, their families, and our Brothers and Sisters of the Pittsburgh Police Department in your thoughts and prayers.
 
     The Members of the Pittsburgh Police Department unconditionally assisted us the night Detective AJ Schroeder was taken from us.  They provided immediate aide, comfort, and assistance to John and Amy’s family residing in Pittsburgh and assisted us in safely escorting them to Cleveland. 
 
     Pittsburgh’s support was unconditional and unwavering during our loss of AJ Schroeder, as our support will be for them while they cope with the loss of their Brothers.  Please make every effort to travel to Pittsburgh for the Memorial Services for our comrades to demonstrate to PPD and their families that they do not grieve alone. 
 
    The following is the itinerary of the services as we know them.
 
Viewing
- All three PPD Officers will be lying in state in the rotunda of the City County Administration Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219,  1600 hrs Wednesday 4/8 to 0945 hrs. Thursday, 4/9.
 
Funeral
- All Non Pittsburgh Police Officers report to the Peterson Event Center on the campus of  Pitt University,  3719 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261,  NO LATER THAN 1100 hrs Thursday 4/9, for assembly and instruction.

Group Rate Hotels  -  Both hotels offer special group rates due to this tragedy
 
- Sheraton, Station Square Downtown (412) 894-0300, (412) 261-2000
- Westin, Convention Center Downtown, (412) 281-3700

Be Safe, and please call with any questions,
 
Stephen S. Loomis, President
Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association

William Denihan, Director             March 5th, 2009
 Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board

1400 West 25th Street, 3rd Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44113-3199
 
    I cannot thank you enough for your decision to keep Cop Killer Anthony Rodden institutionalized, despite the efforts of Common Pleas Judge Dave Matia to covertly release him on an unsuspecting society.  The men and women of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association, our families, as well as all Police officers within my reach WILL ALWAYS be grateful for your effort.
 
    Sir, you have my word that if there is an attempt to harm your reputation in any way on the part of any person wishing to release this animal in Cuyahoga or any other county in the State of Ohio, that attempt will be met immediately and aggressively by the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association, as well as every National, State, and Local Union I have access to.  The integrity and strength of character you have displayed throughout this ordeal, has been absolutely inspiring.  Thank you.
 
Sincerely,
 
Stephen S. Loomis, President
Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association

 
CPPA Memo 09-03      02/17/09
 
Dear Members,
 
     The CPPA requested a meeting with the honorable Judge Ronald Adrine to discuss issues pertaining to City of Cleveland Municipal Court Bailiff’s performing Police functions in our city. Judge Adrine graciously granted our request and set a meeting with us for today at 1530hrs. We sincerely appreciate Judge Adrine's time and consideration regarding this matter.
 
     Also in attendance was Police Officer and fellow CPPA Member Harry Gant. Officer Gant was an uninvited guest at this meeting and was in attendance to represent only his interests and the interests of the Bailiffs that work part time for him as Police Officers. Officer Gant represented the Bailiffs decidedly anti Union position well when faced with the reality that virtually no Cleveland Codified Ordnance, Cleveland City Charter, OPOTA curriculum, or Ohio Revised Code remotely supported their position.
 
     Officer Gant repeatedly stated that he hires bailiffs to work for him (not because they are willing to work for a below scale wages) but because there are NO Cleveland Police Officers or Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Deputies willing to work the police jobs he has available through his for profit security company.   We believe that this situation, on the part of Officer Gant, is a failure of his ability to effectively communicate his needs, and we (the CPPA) are willing to help.
 
     We have contacted the Cuyahoga County Sheriff Deputy that is the liaison to their 18 laid off Deputies and forwarded Officer Gants contact information to him. We are also sending this memo out to the Membership of the CPPA so that they may contact Officer Gant in order to arrange for their immediate hiring, and scheduling of secondary employment with him.  When Officer Gant and his associates hire you to work secondary employment for them, (at what I am sure will be at or above scale wages for Cleveland Police Officers), please be sure to adhere to all rules, regulations, and GPO's with regard to secondary employment.
 
    Officer Gant is currently the “Office Manager” for the 5th District Commanders Office and can be reached at 623-5505.
 

Be Safe and Continue to Take Care of Each Other,
 
Steve S. Loomis, President

December 18th, 2008

 
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
 
     Your editorial of December 18, 2008, “Absolutely Inexcusable”, is a totally unfair portrayal of the events.  Indeed, it is also a rush to judgment without any balanced evaluation of the facts.  You seek to recklessly accuse, convict and punish without knowing what you are talking about.
 
     The patrol officer you unfairly malign went to the scene to assist a recent graduate of the police academy who had been given the assignment in question.  He did so because he thought the new officer would need help.  He was not given the assignment.
 
     The patrol officer you unfairly malign arrived at the scene of the multi car accident on a state highway (SR 176) well after numerous fire and EMS (approximately 10) personnel were on scene.  Those personnel, including their supervisors, whose duties are to attend to all injured parties and check all vehicles, also all failed to detect Mr. Azzam.  Were these safety personnel also, as you describe, too hungry, too cold, too bored or too busy talking on a cell phone to detect Mr. Azzam?  Were they also, in your words, lazy, inept, blind or stupid?
 
     Could it be that all these safety personnel, including the patrol officer you unfairly malign, did not detect Mr. Azzam, because the force of the impact caused his 5 foot 98 pound body to move under the dash board and steering wheel covered by the air bags that deployed?  Did you take into account that the body of Mr. Azzam could have moved when the tow truck driver lifted the front end and towed the vehicle away?
 
     The patrol officer that you unfairly malign checked the door to Mr. Azzam’s vehicle but it was locked.  He did look inside the vehicle but did not detect Mr. Azzam’s body.  The officer called for an emergency tow of three (3) vehicles from the state highway.  Inventory logs are not conducted under such circumstances and road conditions.
 
     Your reckless judgments in this case, without knowing all the facts, is a disservice to your readers and the public, including the patrol officer you seek to destroy.  Your conduct is a disgrace to due process of law and the First Amendment.
 
** You have my permission to use this letter as you see fit.  I can be reached for verification at the numbers below **
 

Stephen S. Loomis, President

 

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