On the off chance that you don’t know yet, I’m married to a cop. He’s pretty awesome. Totally awesome. Anyway, the local Fraternal Order of Police is looking to get raises for the department, and it seems the City Council isn’t too keen on it. Other city employees are, but not law enforcement. Here’s what I have to say to my mayor and city council members:
In recent weeks, we have watched as the City Council of Kansas City, MO voted to sign a new agreement with Local 42 regarding wage and step increases. Under this new agreement, the members of the Kansas City Fire Department will receive step increases and COLAS effective back to MAY 1, 2011 for this year and additional wage and step increases over the next two years. City employees, as well as some in management will also receive raises this fiscal year. The City has told the Police Department that they will not allocate any additional funds to the Police Department for police raises. All we ask is for parity with other public safety employees.
My husband is a 10 year veteran of the department and currently a detective. We have three young children. He personally has been shot at, involved in a meth lab explosion, and been bitten by a suspect in custody on PCP. He was awarded the Silver Medal of Valor. My son’s godfather has been involved in gang shootings and was almost shot with a shotgun on a trip wire working with the TAC team. My husband’s former partner was shot while trying to halt a business burglary in progress. One of his former trainers was shot by armed robbers in a stolen car and has never fully recovered. One of his colleagues in TAC was shot making an arrest and is still recovering. And this is just in his immediate circle.
These men and women put their lives on the line every single day, at every traffic stop, at every ‘knock and talk,’at every warrant issued, every day of their lives. And not just when they are on duty. This is a way of life for the entire department. All of whom have family and friends that sacrifice along with them.
You and I are able to walk out our doors in the morning confident that we will come home in the evening. Officers are not. We have the privilege of feeling safe based on the fact that officers are out there working tirelessly to ensure just that. We often forget just how much our officers do for us on a regular basis. This is due in large part to the fact that they are doing their jobs. We don’t live in fear because they are on top of their game. Sometimes we need to be reminded that our security comes on the tails of our officers. And sometimes we have a choice of rewarding that work. Now is your time to do just that.
On a personal note, my kids sometimes go days without seeing their dad because he is working a wire or surveillance or doing warrant sweeps, but more importantly, I live in fear of the phone call from my husband telling me he’s fine, but in the ER and not to wait up. Or of him calling to tell me not to let the kids watch the news. I live in fear of him coming home with blood-stained clothes. I live in fear of having to tell his parents that he’s been injured. I live in fear of those things, yet they have all happened. I am more fearful, however, of the late night knock on the door. More fearful of someone in uniform standing on my porch in the middle of the night. More fearful of having to tell my kids a bad guy won. More fearful of him not coming home at all. I am grateful everyday that those things have not happened. But they are a very real possibility. One that we all choose to live with because the job is essential.
To deny them parity is to deny the important work that they perform every single day. They truly do protect and serve this community. They deserve to be recognized for putting their lives on the line. They are already paid far less then they should, please let’s not continue that cycle.
I ask you to reconsider and acknowledge how vital they are to this fine city. And to each and every one of us.
Above is the letter I am sending to KC’s Mayor and City Council members. If you and/or someone you know lives in the Kansas City limits, I ask you to call or write them as well. Below is contact information for them:
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Being a cop in the US really seems to be a really dangerous job. Here in Germany, you can actually read in the news when a cop has to shot his gun or is attacked by anyone to where he is dangerously injured or killed. And believe me, I check news every day, it barely ever happens. Most police men retire after 40 years and have never shot a weapon.
I blame it on the gun laws in the US, but that’s another topic. I think cops and firemen should in generally get the amount of money that the city thinks they are worth. Imagine the cops go on strike or the firemen. It cannot happen or hell breaks loose.
Best regards from Germany,
Silvia
I find it simply baffling that the most important workers (police, nurses, firemen, teachers, etc.) are treated the worst of all the different types of employees. They teach us, help us, save us, and keep our cities and towns safe. They should be the top earners in the country in place of investment bankers and politicians.
Not in the KC area, but thank you to the Detective, his fellow officers, to you and your family, and all the families, for your service in keeping us safe.
I dont understand how officers can be overlooked. They are the front line of a city, the constant protectors. To be over looked is wrong and despicable.
Can you imagine what would happen without police officers?
I am so sorry that they are being so poorly mistreated. I hope your blog and all the letter writing makes people open their eyes and realized how truly fortunate they are to live in a place with protection which comes from caring, and not greed.
Best of luck.
you, your family, and your detective are in my prayers. They deserve so much more than they get. Becasue of what they do, every day, I can put my son to bed at night without worry. Every time a cruiser goes past me with lights and sirens blazing I say a little prayer, that he will make it home that day. I dont know how to put a price on what they do for all of us, but I do know it’s not enough, not nearly enough.
I am not involved with a cop but I have called them to my home several times when my house has been broken into or I have been in a wreck., ETC and they ARE all UNDER PAID!! I thank each you for your service to keep us safe both Officers and the families that stand behind them.
My husband is a beat cop and now having worked for two different city’s departments, we know how awful city councils treat first responders. I hope your letter and blog post have a big effect but I fear that it probably won’t until someone close to a council member is directly affected by violence that could have been prevented by adequate police coverage.
Mine is a detective and works part of the year on a fugitive task force chasing down the worst of the worst. I find it unbelievable that cities balk at COLAs for their safety services, while they spend money on superfluous items. I don’t know one cop at any level that hasn’t or doesn’t work some sort of OT or off duty job to supplement the family income.
I was at a ladies purse party once and there was a woman there making cracks about cops/donuts/etc and at first I laughed because it was funny. But, she didn’t let it go and continued to bash law enforcement and inferred that the SWAT team (hubby was the team leader at the time) were guys that couldn’t get “real” jobs in business, etc. I held my tongue as long as I could then finally had to tell her that the next time she was being held hostage in a quickie-mart by a gunman strung out on meth, she should make sure to have her accountants number handy so he could come and rescue her. It only took a second to see the comment register and the dumbfounded look on her face appear. There were a couple other cop wives there and they were high-fiving me with their eyes :-)
My husband loves what he does and I love my husband. Do I worry? Sure I do, but he is making a difference every single day and quite honestly…..he should be making more than a guy who bounces a ball down a court for a few months out of the year. Chances are when that guy goes to work his biggest worry is pulling a hamstring.
I live in the KC metro area but not in KC city limits. I will let those that live in the city know. Tell the Detective thanks for doing his job and I will pray for his safety.
I’m in Texas - but I tweeted out the link asking people from KC to check out the post.
The mayor also has a facebook page.
My hubby is a 16 year Officer in a town just outside Tulsa Oklahoma.He’s was FOP Lodge President for a few years, and is now a member of the FOP Labor Council. He has 3 other cities in Oklahoma that he helps negotiate their contracts each year. I am a proud Police Wife like you : ) I have learned probably more than most Officers know about FLSA, and other labor things….LOL……What my husbands lodge just negotiated was a “Me, Too” clause that would allow them to receive ANY additional type of reimbursement that the Fire Department might receive”. My Husband loves talking negotiations stuff, it’s one of his hobbies and sometimes I think he has all the Labor Stuff across the US memorized..LOL…..don’t know if you’re hubby is interested in any extra ideas….but if so send me a message to [email protected] and I’ll send you his contact info. I know what a FRUSTRATING TIME negotiations can be. Will be praying that they get what they should get, you’re right…EVERY DAY, EVERY CALL Officers put their lives on the line, and they should be compensated accordingly !! : ) Angie